Olympic Swimming
By: Omar and Abdullah
No one can say they “invented” swimming, as swimming itself started with the very first humans and is a natural activity that has been practiced for hundreds of years. However, the National Swimming Society gets a lot of credit for being the “inventors” of modern swimming. They held swimming competitions in Britain in the 19th century. Which led to swimming being held in the olympics and modern tournaments.
Where was it invented?
Although swimming’s origins were rooted in leisure, the sport quickly became a competition sport even having tournaments before the first Olympics in 1896. In 1837, the first swimming competition was held in England by England’s National Swimming Society
Where was it first played?
5 famous athletes that have had a positive impact on swimming.
Famous Athletes
- In 2008, Michael Phelps established the Michael Phelps Foundation to teach the art of swimming to the world and promote healthier lifestyles. He invested the money he earned as a bonus in his foundation.
- Most decorated athlete in the olympics with a total of 28 medals.
- Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, Olympic gold medals in individual events, and Olympic medals in individual
Michael Phelps
- In the long-course pool, Berkoff honed his skill to a point in which he could remain underwater for 35 to 40 meters. Although oxygen debt certainly played a role for those racing underwater for lengthy periods, the advantage it provided offset the down-the-stretch struggles that arose. For Berkoff, the strategy led to a pair of world records at the 1988 United States Olympic Trials, where he became the first man in history to break the 55-second barrier in the 100 meter backstroke.
- David Berkoff has 4 medals including 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal
David Berkoff
- Since Captain Matthew Webb successfully crossed the English Channel in 1875, 80 attempts were made. Including 15 failures by Thomas Burgess also known as Bil Burgess, before Burgess became the second man in history to cross the English Channel. The 40-year-old completed the 35 km crossing in 22 hours and 35 minutes in September 1911.
Thomas Burgess
- Four-time Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima, the only man in history to have won back-to-back breaststroke titles, he believes athletes must prepare for every eventuality and overcome every hurdle in the light of the postponement of Tokyo 2020.
- Kosuke Kitajima has 7 medals including 4 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals.
Kosuke Kitajima
- In April 2021, Canadian Alex Baumann was appointed as the Chief Executive of Swimming Australia. In December 2017, Swimming Australia announced that it had appointed Baumann to the new role as Swimming Australia's Chief Strategist, High Performance.
- Alex Baumann has won 2 gold medals his entire professional career
Alex Baumann
- Swimming's debut was in the first olympics in the 1896 Athens Olympics
- At the 1896 Summer Olympics, four swimming events were played, all for men. All events took place on 11 April in the Bay of Zea. There was a total of 13 participants from 4 countries competing.
- Hungary took home 2 gold medals. Greece took home 1 gold medal, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. Austria took home 1 gold medal and 1 silver medal.
Is your sport represented in the olympics? When was its debut?
A current news article about the sport you chose (from the last year) regarding inequity in the sport.
- Trans swimmer Lia Thomas speaks out on scrutiny, controversy
The inquity of swimming
University of Pensylvania swimmer, Lea Thompson speaks out regarding the criticism and verbal attacks she has received after competing as a trans gender woman. After setting multiple records throughout the 2021-2022 college swim season she has been subjected to dissaproval from other elite swimmers including the most decorated olympic athlete Michael Phelps.
Summarize the problem
Lia Thomas can no longer compete against women as FINA has banned transgender individuals from competing in women's events.
What was the solution/outcome of the issue?
In pursuit of self-acceptance and happiness
an athlete has to weight and decide whether they wish to prioritise and potentially compromise their goals and aspirations.
In Thompson's case she has to give up competitive swimming, atleast in the womens leagues, in order to be able to accept herself and identify as a woman.
What can we learn from this display of inequality for the future?