In addition to the Summer Olympic Games, there are other international competitions for swimmers. Some of the major international swimming competitions are: Pan American Games – Held every four years before the Summer Olympic Games, the Pan American Games are a major sporting event in the Americas. Athletes from North, South, and Central America come together [...]
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FINA
Founded in 1908, FINA is the governing body of aquatic sports. FINA stands for Federation Internationale de Natation, which is French for International Swimming Federation. The headquarters for the organization is located in Lausanne, Switzerland. FINA’s motto is “Water is Our World.” The International Olympic Committee recognizes FINA as the organization for administering the rules [...]
Summer Olympic Events
Olympic Swimming The modern Olympic Games started in 1896. Swimming and other aquatic events are part of the Summer Olympic Games, and the first Summer Olympic Games were held in 1904. There are four aquatic events: swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. Swimming has been a part of the Olympics since 1896. Freestyle and [...]
International Swimming Pools
One size does not exactly fit all when it comes international swimming pools. FINA and USA Swimming have standards about the pools used for national and international competitive swimming events. There are two sizes used in swimming events, the short course and the long course. A short course pool is 25 meters (82 feet) long [...]
International Swimming Hall of Fame
Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1964. Recognized by FINA as the official hall for aquatic sports, the Hall of Fame recognizes achievements of swimmers, divers, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, and persons who made significant contributions to aquatics. The Hall of Fame [...]
Swimming Records
It is always exciting when someone breaks a record. World swimming records are set during an official event, and an Olympic record is set during the Olympic Games. The record-setting swim must be witnessed and officiated at a FINA-approved venue, so your backyard pool does not count. If a time beats the world record at [...]
Top 5 Famous Female Swimmers
One of the strengths of swimming for sport is that it produces as many athletes from one gender as another. There are females among the great swimmers that rank among the finest athletes the world has ever known. Below is a short-list of some of the best of the best of the worlds most famous [...]
Top 5 Famous Male Swimmers
The competitive world of swimming has produced some remarkable swimmers. But who are the best? Which of these great swimmers were so spectacular that they shine above all others? Let’s take a brief look at some of the top great swimmers in the male category. Michael Phelps – Even if you were living under a [...]
The History Of Swimming As A Sport
Ever since ancient humans first encountered water, people have been swimming. At first, we swam for travel or to catch food. However, as time progressed and mankind grew more civilized, swimming evolved from a necessity, to a recreational activity, and eventually to a true sport. One of the oldest recordings in the history about swimming can be found [...]