Swimming is one of the most popular sports activities globally, contributing not only to improving physical fitness, but also providing numerous health benefits. Today you’ll learn more about swimming as a sport, as well as meet the biggest names in swimming today!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
Biggest names in Swimming today: historical context
The practice of swimming has its roots in ancient times, as evidenced by cave paintings and records that reveal a long human relationship with this activity.
The ability to swim has played a crucial role in human survival and development, making it possible to overcome natural obstacles such as rivers and lakes to obtain food, such as fishing, and avoiding drowning in dangerous situations, such as falling into currents.
In ancient Greece, swimming was valued for its health and educational benefits, while in the Roman Empire, it was part of the physical training of soldiers.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
During the Middle Ages, bodily practices were discouraged by the Church, leading to a decline in the practice of swimming.
The activity was rediscovered in the Renaissance, between the 14th and 16th centuries, when swimming was revitalized and encouraged again.
In 1538, the German author Nicholas Wymman wrote the first known book on swimming, entitled “The Swimmer or the Art of Swimming”, a festive and informative text.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
The first organized swimming competitions were held in London in 1837 and the first formal rules were established in 1874.
Swimming made its Olympic debut at the first Olympic Games of the modern era, in Athens in 1896, as one of the nine disciplines contested.
The first Olympic swimming champion was the Hungarian Alfréd Hajós, in the 100m freestyle.
In 1538, the German author Nicholas Wymann published the first known book on swimming, entitled “The Swimmer or the Art of Swimming”, a text that mixes festive dialog and practical instructions, standing out as one of the first works dedicated to the subject.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
The first organized swimming competitions were held in London in 1837, marking an important milestone in the sport’s organizational development.
In 1874, the first formal rule book for swimming was drawn up, establishing standards and regulations for subsequent competitions.
In 1896, at the first Olympic Games of the modern era, held in Athens, swimming was one of the nine sports contested.
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Hungarian Alfréd Hajós became swimming’s first Olympic champion, winning the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle and marking the beginning of the sport’s Olympic trajectory.
Swimming was included in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 and has been one of the main sports ever since.
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) was founded in 1908 and is the world governing body for the sport
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Biggest names in Swimming today: rules
- Swimming styles: there are four main styles: crawl (freestyle), backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Each style has specific techniques that must be strictly followed.
- Distances: competitions range from 50 meters to 1500 meters, depending on the style and event.
- Events: in addition to the individual events, there are relays (4x100m and 4x200m freestyle, and 4x100m medley).
- Start: in the freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke events, swimmers start with a dive from the starting block. In the backstroke, the start is made inside the pool.
- Turn: in the freestyle and backstroke events, it is permitted to use the somersault turn, while in the breaststroke and butterfly events, swimmers must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously.
- Finish: the race ends when the swimmer touches the final wall with any part of their body.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
Biggest names in Swimming today (Male – World)
Caeleb Dressel (USA)
A specialist in speed events, Dressel is a multiple Olympic and world champion, known for his ability in the 50m and 100m freestyle, as well as the 100m butterfly.
Adam Peaty (United Kingdom)
Dominant in the breaststroke, Peaty is a world record holder and multiple Olympic medalist in the 100m breaststroke.
Kristóf Milák (Hungary)
World record holder in the 200m butterfly, Milák has made a name for himself as one of today’s best swimmers.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
Biggest names in Swimming today (Male – Brazil)
Bruno Fratus
A specialist in speed events, Fratus is one of the leading names in Brazilian swimming, with several medals in world championships and the Olympic Games in the 50m freestyle.
Guilherme Costa
Known as “Cachorrão”, he is the South American record holder in several middle and backstroke events, including the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Fernando Scheffer
An Olympic medalist in the 200m freestyle, Scheffer is one of the biggest names in Brazilian swimming today.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
Biggest names in Swimming today (Female – World)
Katie Ledecky (USA)
Considered one of the greatest swimmers of all time, Ledecky is a specialist in the backstroke, with multiple Olympic medals and world records in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Sarah Sjöström (Sweden)
A specialist in speed and butterfly events, Sjöström is one of the most versatile and successful swimmers in the world.
Ariarne Titmus (Australia)
Titmus challenged Ledecky’s dominance in the middle distance events, winning the 200m and 400m freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in swimming today are!
Biggest names in Swimming today (Female – Brazil)
Etiene Medeiros
A specialist in speed races, especially backstroke, Etiene has been a central figure in Brazilian swimming.
Ana Marcela Cunha
Although she is best known for her water marathon, Ana Marcela also competes in pool events and is one of Brazil’s greatest swimmers.
Viviane Jungblut
Competing in cross-country and middle-distance races, Viviane has excelled in national and international competitions.
Which athletes have the best chance of medaling at the 2024 Olympic Games?
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, some athletes stand out as strong medal candidates:
- Caeleb Dressel: with his speed and versatility, Dressel is the favorite in the 50m and 100m freestyle races, as well as the 100m butterfly.
- Katie Ledecky: remains one of the main favorites in the cross-country races.
- Adam Peaty: is expected to continue dominating the breaststroke races.
- Ariarne Titmus: should compete strongly in the middle-distance races.
- Bruno Fratus and Fernando Scheffer: they represent Brazil’s great hopes in the speed and middle distance events, respectively.
At the 2024 Olympic Games, expect to see extraordinary performances from athletes such as Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, Adam Peaty and Ariarne Titmus, while Brazilian representatives such as Bruno Fratus and Fernando Scheffer will be looking to win new medals for the country.
Did you enjoy learning more about this sport and getting to know the biggest names in swimming today? Get to know the big names in other sports:
- 2024 Olympics: meet the biggest names in Wrestling today
- 2024 Olympics: meet the biggest names in Artistic Swimming today
- 2024 Olympics: meet the biggest names in Water Marathon today
