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History Of Swimming

The history of swimming goes way back to that of prehistoric times. Books written from 2000 to 1500 BC including the Bible have references to swimming. It was mostly used in these times as a means of cleansing. Any form of competitive swimming wasnt formed until the 1800s in Europe. It was included in the first Olympics in 1896 in Athens, Greece. It was noted that Ancient Egypt had cave drawings of humans swimming in the nearby sea. They often depicted a form of the breaststroke as the first type of swimming or something they used to call the front crawl. Ancient Egyptian, Grecian and Roman palaces were often equipped with swimming pools or baths. Often reserved for the elite that used them as relaxation pools and cleaning tubs. It is noted by historians that swimming was also often used in battle. The Greeks were often regarded as solid swimmers and at the Battle of Salamis after a number of both Greek and Persian boats were destroyed it was said that all of the Persians drowned due to their inability to swim while the Greek prevailed. The history of swimming is much easier to understand than other sports. Without any equipment to speak of an individual can take to the waters. Obviously those countries that had the most access to water were the first to adapt to swimming. History did not have the spreading of the sport as many other sports had encountered because it was basically already available. You either adopted swimming as a means of life or you just chose not to swim. The evolution of swimming history expanded during the middle ages. A number of individuals took it upon themselves to write books about swimming. They were often focused on the ability to not drown rather than a perfect backstroke as you would imagine. Life saving concepts and techniques began to form throughout the next few hundred years and around the 18th and 19th century the sport began to evolve into more of a competition than just life safety. Swimming Associations and Clubs popped up all over the world. Some of the first in swimming history were in China, Sweden and Germany. Schools began to believe that swimming was a natural part of any life education. Therefore, they began to teach swimming in schools not just as a life safety course but as an extracurricular activity. Schools and Universities began to adopt these practices and set up clubs and swim teams. Competitions began to arise around the mid 1800s. England was the first to modernize the sport and incorporate an indoor swimming pool with a swim team. They began to formulate new swimming styles including the sidestroke. Shortly after this, variations of the freestyle began to form and credit cant really be given to one person as so many were responsible for developing this technique. The Olympic Games of 1896 in Athens was the first real platform for the sport. There only men competed in a number of events. Throughout the 1900s the sport evolved and saw a number of stars arise. Johnny Weissmuller, the original Tarzan completed his ten year career by never losing a race and winning five Olympic medals. Science and technology began to play a part in the sport throughout the 1900s as well. When scientist and coaches began studying swimmers and there underwater techniques to improve times. The swimsuits began to change as well as any form of resistance was under scrutiny from all competitors. Goggles, swim caps and different variations of training have all evolved as well. The US has seen its share of great Olympians going back to Mark Spitz who won seven gold medals in the 1972 Olympics. The sport has evolved to a very competitive and fun sport for anyone. That has always

been the great appeal that anyone can swim and we have been for the past 3000 years So goes the history of swimming.

Swimming Rules
Swimming is an aquatic sport in which the participant or swimmer aims to cover a given distance in the smallest amount of time. There are basically four competitive strokes used in Olympic swimming: freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke. The events or competitions are held in all of these strokes at varying distances as per the age group of the swimmer who are restricted to follow the same swimming rules. The competitions for men and women are the same, except that the longest race for men is about 1500 meters while it is 800 meters long for the women. These events comprise either a combination of the strokes swum by one participant or by a group of four swimmers. Swimming Rules and Regulations Like any other sport, swimming also has certain rules to be followed. Starting from the first whistle of the referee till the last whistle, these swimming rules for children and adults participants have to be followed, else the participant can get disqualified. Below are some of the most popular swimming strokes that are included in all events or competitions, along with their USA swimming rules and regulations. Freestyle: In Freestyle events, the participant can swim any stroke. However, the most commonly used stroke is the crawl, which is characterized by the alternate stroking or movements of the arms over the water surface and an alternating (up-and-down) flutter kick.

On turns and finishes, some part of the swimmer has to touch the wall, though most swimmers do a flip turn. Some part of the body should always remain above the water. In conditions, wherein the swimmer begins the race and makes turns at the end of each lap, he/she is allowed to remain submerged for 15 meters.

Backstroke: This stroke comprises alternate movements of the arms with a flutter kick while lying on the back.

On turns and finishes, the swimmer can rotate to the stomach and do a flip turn, ensuring that some part of his/her should touch the wall. The entire distance is to be covered on the back. At the start, both the feet should remain under the water and after starting, the swimmer can be underwater for 15 meters.

Breaststroke: Breaststroke involves simultaneous movements of the arms on the uniform horizontal plane. The hands are pressed out in front of the breast in a heart shaped pattern and retrieved under or on the surface of the water. The kick is simultaneously performed in a circular motion just like the action of a frog.

On turns and finishes, the swimmer has to touch the wall with both hands at the same time, above or below the water surface. There should be no asymmetrical arm movements and the swimmer must surface during each stroke.

Butterfly: This stroke features a simultaneous recovery of the arms over the water along with a flapping dolphin kick, wherein the swimmer has to keep both legs together without fluttering or using the breaststroke kick.

Like the above strokes, the swimmer has to touch the wall with both hands simultaneously on the turns and finishes. The kick should be vertical, with both legs moving together. It is not permitted to roll onto the back, anytime and there should be no asymmetrical arm pull.

Individual Medley: Also referred as I.M., the stoke includes all four strokes, starting with butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and then freestyle.

The swimmer has to swim in the correct order, i.e. back, breast, butterfly and freestyle. The swimmer is not permitted to rotate more than 90 degrees before, touching on the change-over from back to breast.

Relays: In this event, a group of four swimmers either swim freestyle or each swim one of the swimming strokes in the order of backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle (Medley relay).

The swimmer has to swim in the correct order, i.e. back, breast, butterfly and freestyle. The next swimmer cannot leave until the previous swimmer touches.

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