Description
Description

Swimming, as a competitive sport, involves racing through water using various styles like freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. Athletes, called swimmers, compete in pools, usually 25 or 50 meters long. Skills required include strength, endurance, technique, and breath control. A race starts with a dive from blocks, followed by navigating set distances as fast as possible. Turns at the pool wall are crucial for maintaining speed. Timing is key, with races ranging from sprints (50 meters) to longer distances (up to 1500 meters). Scoring is simple: the fastest time wins.

Major competitive swimming countries include the United States, Australia, China, and European nations. Prominent leagues and events are the Olympics, World Championships, and various national championships, where swimmers compete for personal, national, and world records.

History
History

Competitive swimming has evolved significantly since its early days. Originating in ancient civilizations, it became an organized sport in the 19th century. The first modern Olympic Games in 1896 featured swimming, but only for men; women joined in 1912. Over time, swimming styles and techniques have advanced, with the butterfly stroke being the latest addition in the 1950s.

Technological advancements in swimwear and pool design have also improved performance. Swimming has grown from a basic skill to a highly technical and strategic sport, with athletes continually pushing the boundaries of speed and endurance, setting and breaking numerous world records along the way.

Future
Future

The direction of competitive swimming is marked by ongoing advancements in technology, training methods, and athlete performance. Wearable tech and data analytics are becoming more integral, providing swimmers with detailed feedback to optimize their techniques and strategies. We're seeing a rise in short course events, offering faster-paced, more spectator-friendly competitions. Additionally, the inclusion of mixed-gender relays brings a fresh dynamic to the sport.

Athletes like Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky are setting new standards, inspiring a generation of swimmers. The sport's growth also reflects in its increasing global reach, with emerging talents from diverse regions. This evolution ensures swimming remains a thrilling and progressive element in the world of sports.

Common Questions
Common Questions
What muscles does swimming work?

Swimming is a sport that uses most of the muscles in the body, but the five most important muscles used in swimming are: the lats (middle back muscles), triceps, pecs (pectoral chest muscles), core muscles (abs), and the quads or quadriceps (front upper leg muscles).

How many laps is a mile of swimming?

To swim a mile, which is understood as 1650 yards for a swimmer, a swimmer must complete 33 laps in a 50 meter (164 foot) pool and 66 laps in a 25 meter (82 foot) pool. A lap for a swimmer refers to swimming a one-way length of the pool.

How long is an olympic swimming pool?

Olympic swimming pools have an overall length of 164 feet (50 m). Other pool competitions may be conducted on a ‘Short Course’ pool with a length of 82 feet (25 m)—half the size of the Olympic pool.

Sports

* Under Development *

68’11” | 21 m
82’ | 25 m
25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool
2100.000
2500.000
5
GUIDE
3D
25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool
82’ | 25 m
164’ | 50 m
50m Ten Lane Olympic Pool
25000.000
5000.000
10
GUIDE
3D
50m Ten Lane Olympic Pool
Community Swimming Pools
40
GUIDE
3D
Community Swimming Pools
6’5” | 1.96 m
October 13, 1982
Ian Thorpe
196.000
1982.00
4200
GUIDE
3D
Ian Thorpe
5’5” | 1.65 m
August 28, 1971
Janet Evans
165.000
1971.00
1500
GUIDE
3D
Janet Evans
6’0” | 1.83 m
March 17, 1997
Katie Ledecky
183.000
1997.00
17000
GUIDE
3D
Katie Ledecky
6’0” | 1.83 m
February 10, 1950
Mark Spitz
183.000
1950.00
29000
GUIDE
3D
Mark Spitz
6’4” | 1.93 m
June 30, 1985
Michael Phelps
193.000
1985.00
110000
GUIDE
3D
Michael Phelps
1’10” | 56 cm
25” | 63.5 cm
Pool Ladders
56.000
63.500
4800
GUIDE
3D
Pool Ladders
Pool Lane Floor & Wall Details
0
GUIDE
3D
Pool Lane Floor & Wall Details
6’2” | 1.88 m
August 3, 1984
Ryan Lochte
188.000
1984.00
42000
GUIDE
3D
Ryan Lochte
15.75” | 40 cm
19.7” | 50 cm
19.7” | 50 cm
Swimming Starting Blocks
40.000
50.000
50.000
200
GUIDE
3D
Swimming Starting Blocks
Mark Spitz
Height comparison diagram of Mark Spitz compared to other swimmers

Mark Spitz is a former American competitive swimmer who once dominated the sports in the 70s. He set thirty-five trials and unofficial world records. Mark is a nine-time Olympic champion and the first to set the record of winning seven gold medals in a single Olympic competition and the third currently to be holding nine Olympic gold medals. Mark has been named three times as World Swimmer of the Year and possesses eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, thirty-one Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) titles, and five Pan American gold medals. His swimming achievements have granted him admission into five Halls of Fame.

Mark Spitz has a height of 6’0” (1.83 m).

Collection of drawings of Mark Spitz measured with overall height
Mark Spitz is a former American competitive swimmer who once dominated the sports in the 70s. He set thirty-five trials and unofficial world records. Mark is a nine-time Olympic champion and the first to set the record of winning seven gold medals in a single Olympic competition.

Mark Spitz has a height of 6’0” (1.83 m).

Collection of drawings of Mark Spitz measured with overall height
Mark Spitz
Height:
6’0” | 1.83 m
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Nationality: United States

Years Active: 1965-1972

Birthday
February 10, 1950

Drawings include:
Mark Spitz standing, bending, diving

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Pool Lane Floor & Wall Details

A Pool Lane Floor is the base of a pool usually made of vinyl, showing different markings. Wall Details are markings on the walls of a pool. All the markings are done according to Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) acceptable standards for competitions. The floor has details showing where the depth begins, the false start line is, half line is, and the starting block. Wall detail shows touch panel and backstroke flags. These details guide how athletes should act while in the pool or competing and also help officials govern a swimming competition.

Dimensioned plan drawing of the various pool markings used as guides in a swimming lane
A Pool Lane Floor is the base of a pool usually made of vinyl, showing different markings. Wall Details are markings on the walls of a pool. All the markings are done according to Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) acceptable standards for competitions.

Dimensioned plan drawing of the various pool markings used as guides in a swimming lane
Pool Lane Floor & Wall Details
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Floor:
Distance from Wall: 5’ | 1.5 m; or 6’5” | 2 m
End & Half Line Width: 3’ | 91 cm
Line Width: 12” | 30.5 cm
False Start Line Width: 1’8” | 50 cm

End Wall:
End Line Width: 1’8” | 50 cm
Touch Panel Width: 7’10” | 2.4 m
Touch Panel Height: 2’11” | 90 cm
Starting Block Height: 15.75” | 40 cm

Birthday

Drawings include:
Pool Lane Details elevation (wall), plan (pool floor)

Downloads

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Janet Evans
Scaled height comparison illustration of Janet Evans in relation to other swimmers

America's Janet Evans is the only female swimmer to collect back-to-back titles in Olympic and world championships. The retired American competitive swimmer specialized in distance freestyle events, winning four gold medals from the 1988 and 1993 Olympics. She also engaged in freestyle and individual medley and was a world champion and record holder of 400, 800, and 1,500-meter freestyle distances. In the Swimming World Magazine, Janet was named three times as the Female World Swimmer of the Year and has been admitted as an "Honor Swimmer" in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Janet Evans has a height of 5’5” (1.65 m).

Set of illustrations of Janet Evans in various swimming poses measured with overall height
America's Janet Evans is the only female swimmer to collect back-to-back titles in Olympic and world championships. The retired American competitive swimmer specialized in distance freestyle events, winning four gold medals from the 1988 and 1993 Olympics.

Janet Evans has a height of 5’5” (1.65 m).

Set of illustrations of Janet Evans in various swimming poses measured with overall height
Janet Evans
Height:
5’5” | 1.65 m
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Nationality: United States

Years Active: 1987-1996

Birthday
August 28, 1971

Drawings include:
Janet Evans standing, block, diving

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Pool Ladders

Pool Ladders are explicitly designed to help swimmers access a pool and avoid jumping over an above-ground pool. They are convenient, provide safety, and preserve your pool walls. These ladders come in various sizes and shapes depending on how tall your pool is, your deck, and other physical structures around your pool. Your weight, durability, and who will use the pool ladder (adults or children) are the major factors to look for before acquiring a pool ladder. The pool ladders you may use for your pool or see in pools include A-Frame Ladders, Deck Ladders, and In-Pool Steps.

Plan and elevation drawings of a standard pool ladder with dimensions for height, width, and depths
Pool Ladders are explicitly designed to help swimmers access a pool and avoid jumping over an above-ground pool. They are convenient, provide safety, and preserve your pool walls. These ladders come in various sizes and shapes depending on how tall your pool is, your deck, and other structures.

Plan and elevation drawings of a standard pool ladder with dimensions for height, width, and depths
Pool Ladders
Height:
Width:
1’10” | 56 cm
Length:
Depth:
25” | 63.5 cm
Weight:
Area:

Railing Height (Tall): 37.4” | 95 cm
Railing Height (Short): 29.5” | 75 cm
Length (Underwater): 52.4” | 133 cm
Standoff: 4.7” | 12 cm

Birthday

Drawings include:
Pool Ladder side elevation, front, plan

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25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool
Plan and section drawings of a regulation 25m 8-lane swimming pool with dimensions for overall length, width, and depth

The 25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool may also be called “Short Course” if used in an Olympic game or World Championship Games. They are also the common pools in domestic competitions like summer swimming leagues, high schools, universities, recreational centers, and even huge backyards. Timing touch pads are incorporated in these pools for a sanctioned meet in meters and allowing swimmers to touch and turn. The 25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool was once used in international competition but scrapped and replaced with the 50m ten lane Olympic swimming pool. An example of a 25m eight lane swimming pool is the London Aquatic Center.

The 25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool may also be called “Short Course” if used in an Olympic game or World Championship Games. They are also the common pools in domestic competitions like summer swimming leagues, high schools, universities, recreational centers, and even huge backyards.

25m Eight Lane Swimming Pool
Height:
Width:
68’11” | 21 m
Length:
82’ | 25 m
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Lane Width: 8’2” | 2.5 m
Depth (Start): 4’5” | 1.35 m (minimum)
Depth (End): 3’3” | 1 m (minimum)
Backstroke Line: 16.5’ | 5 m
False Start Line: 49’2.5” | 15 m

Birthday

Drawings include:
24m Ten Lane Swimming Pool plan, section (long side), section (short side)

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