HISTORY OF

SWIMMING
ANCIENT ORIGINS
Swimming can be traced back to ancient
times, with depictions of swimming found
in cave paintings from the Stone Age. It
was also an essential skill for survival and
transportation in many ancient
civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and
Rome.

COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
Competitive swimming started to gain
popularity during the 19th century,
particularly in Britain. The first
recorded swimming competition took
place in 1837 in London's River Thames.

MODERN OLYMPICS
Swimming has been featured in the
modern Olympic Games since its
inception in 1896. Over the years, different
swimming styles and techniques have
been introduced and standardized.

EVOLUTION OF SWIMWEAR
Swimsuits have evolved significantly throughout
history. In the past, swimwear was often heavy,
modest, and restricted movement. In the early
20th century, new materials and designs made
swimsuits more streamlined and functional for
competitive swimming

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
In recent years, swimming has seen
advancements in equipment and technology. For
example, the introduction of high-tech swimsuits
made from materials that reduce drag and
increase speed caused controversy and led to
some regulations by swimming governing
bodies.
TERMINOLOGY
1.Freestyle: The term "freestyle" is used to describe the front crawl stroke,
which is the fastest and most common stroke used in competitive swimming.
In freestyle events, swimmers are free to use any stroke technique.

2. Backstroke: Backstroke is a swimming style where swimmers lie on their

back and move their arms and legs in a synchronized motion to propel
themselves through the water, facing upward.

3.Breaststroke: Breaststroke is a stroke where the swimmer's arms move

simultaneously in a circular motion, while the legs perform a whip-kick
motion. It is known for being the oldest known swimming stroke.

4. Butterfly: The butterfly stroke involves a simultaneous arm movement in a

circular motion and a dolphin kick. It is considered one of the most physically
demanding swimming strokes.

5. Medley: Medley refers to a swimming race where swimmers compete in all

four competitive swimming styles (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and
freestyle) in that order.

6.Lane: Swimming pools are divided into separate lanes to separate swimmers
and ensure fair competition. A swimmer is assigned to a specific lane, and
during a race, they must stay within their assigned lane.

7. Flip Turn: A flip turn is a technique used at the pool wall to reverse direction without
losing momentum. Swimmers execute a somersault while tucking their knees and
then push off the wall with their feet to propel themselves in the opposite direction.

8. Diving Start: A diving start is when swimmers start a race by diving into the water
from a block or starting platform. It allows swimmers to begin the race with speed and
momentum.

9. Split Time: In competitive swimming, split times are used to measure the time it
takes for a swimmer to cover each segment of a race (e.g., the time it takes to swim
the first 50 meters in a 100-meter race).

10. Finish Touch: The finish touch refers to the action of touching the pool wall with at
least one hand at the end of a race. The touch determines the official timing of the
swimmer.