—country of origin
—first recorded
1896Olympic debut
15disciplines & variants
3international bodies
Competitive swimming is a water sport. The sport is governed internationally by World Aquatics (FINA). It has featured at the Olympic Games since 1896 (30 editions). Wikidata lists 15 disciplines or variants under it.
TypeWater sports
PractitionersSwimmer, Swimming coach
Governing bodyWorld Aquatics (FINA), African Aquatics, Asia Aquatics (AA)
Olympic statusOn the programme · since 1896
Family tree
Disciplines and variants
15
BackstrokeSwimming style in which one swims on one's backBreaststrokeSwimming style in which the swimmer is on their chest and the...Butterfly strokeSwimming stroke swum on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneouslyDivingSport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboardFreestyle swimmingCategory of swimming competitionMasters swimmingSpecial class of competitive swimming for swimmers 25 years and olderMedley swimmingCombination of 4 different swimming styles (butterfly, backstroke,...Para swimmingSport of swimming adapted for participants with disabilitiesRiverboardingType of sportSynchronized swimmingHybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnasticsWinter swimmingOutdoor swimming during winter, often with ice
100 metres freestyleEvent in swimming
200 metres freestyleSwimming distance
Long-distance swimmingSwimming competitions with longer distances
SidestrokeSwimming stroke on one's side with asymmetric arm and leg motion
Olympic Games
Olympic history
Editions where Competitive swimming or one of its disciplines was on the programme. Filled boxes mark the sport itself, outlined ones its disciplines; the small number is the count of medal events where recorded.
Multi-sport events
At other multi-sport games
| Games | Editions | First | Latest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Paralympic Games | 15 | 1960 | 2016 | 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 … |
| Summer Youth Olympic Games | 2 | 2014 | 2018 | 2014, 2018 |
| Summer World University Games | 30 | 1959 | 2025 | 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2025 … |
| Mediterranean Games | 20 | 1951 | 2026 | 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2018, 2022, 2026 … |
| Asian Games | 20 | 1951 | 2026 | 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2023, 2026 … |
| Pan American Games | 19 | 1951 | 2023 | 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 … |
| Central American and Caribbean Games | 17 | 1926 | 2026 | 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2023, 2026 … |
| Commonwealth Games | 16 | 1950 | 2026 | 1982, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 … |
| African Games | 14 | 1965 | 2024 | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2024, 2024 … |
| European Youth Olympic Festival | 13 | 1991 | 2025 | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025 … |
| South Asian Games | 8 | 1991 | 2016 | 1991, 1993, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2016 |
| Pacific Games | 7 | 1963 | 2023 | 1963, 1966, 1975, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023 |
| South American Games | 6 | 2002 | 2022 | 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 |
| Games of the Small States of Europe | 6 | 2003 | 2017 | 2003, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 |
| Island Games | 5 | 2011 | 2023 | 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2023 |
| Military World Games | 4 | 1995 | 2011 | 1995, 2003, 2007, 2011 |
| Arab Games | 3 | 1997 | 2011 | 1997, 2007, 2011 |
| Bolivarian Games | 3 | 2005 | 2013 | 2005, 2009, 2013 |
| Goodwill Games | 2 | 1998 | 2001 | 1998, 2001 |
| Islamic Solidarity Games | 2 | 2005 | 2017 | 2005, 2017 |
| European Games | 1 | 2015 | 2015 | 2015 |
World level
World championships
| Championship | Organiser | First held | Every | Editions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINA World Aquatics Championships | World Aquatics (FINA) | 1973 | 2 yr | 2 |
| World Para Swimming Championships | International Paralympic Committee | 1994 | 2 yr | 5 |
| FINA World Junior Swimming Championships | World Aquatics (FINA) | 2006 | 2 yr | 10 |
Editions — seasons or tournaments recorded as separate entries in Wikidata.Nothing found — try another filter.
Governance
Governing bodies
What you need
Equipment and playing area
Playing area