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The first Olympic swimming event was held in the meditation sea
This was the first time the sport of swimming was seen in the Olympics was in 1896 where the event was held in the meditation sea where the environment could interfere with the performance of the swimmers. -
Use of electric timing
In 1912 the swimming event in the Olympics saw the first use of electronic timing. They used small watches that recorded the times in seconds but were not very accurate. -
Olympic swimming event held in man-made pool with lane ropes.
This was a large change in the sport of swimming as it eliminated the outside factors of swells and currents of swimming in the sea. The use of lane ropes also stopped the wind and wake from other swimmers from affecting other competitors. -
Swim suit
In 1928, speedo brought out a swimsuit that was the first of its time. It was more designed to fit someone's body and allow for faster times. However public indecency meant that people were almost banned if they were wearing this suit. -
Change in technique of Breaststroke
In 1934, it was discovered that keeping your hands underwater increased drag when pushing your hands forward before the pullout. Instead due to analysing through the use of technology, it was discovered that taking your hands out of the water would reduce drag and increase speed. -
Speedo Nylon suit
In 1950, speedo introduced a new swim suit which was made from nylon and rubber. They found through rigorous testing that nylon suits reduced friction in the water allowing for faster times. They also made tighter suits reducing drag in the water. -
Drag and friction analysis
In 1956 coaches and researchers conducted tests regarding the drag created by swimming on top of the water and swimming below. From these tests, they discovered that streamlining underwater has less drag than swimming on top of the water. This led to multiple swimmers in the 1956 Olympics to streamline underwater for the majority of the race to reduce friction created. Due to this event, streamlining was banned and restricted to a certain distance. -
Automatic time keeping
In 1960 it was a very controversial 100m freestyle with John Devitt winning on a decision by the judges even though the timing of the race indicated that the American swimmer won. This led to the development of electronic touchpads which were first used in Mexico in 1968 and have been used since then in all major swimming competitions. This allowed for more accurate timing and place giving -
First use of goggles for swimming
In the 1976 Olympics, we saw the first use of goggles used by athletes in the pool. The advantage of wearing goggles allowed swimmers to see where they were going and also added to the streamline effect reducing drag. -
Use of underwater windows in pools.
In the 1990s Olympic pool designers decided to begin implementing windows in the pool to allow scientists to analyse swimmers underwater. The AIS recently introduced mirrors on the bottom of the pool to allow swimmers to self analyse as well. -
2000-2008 Swim suit controversy
The full Bodysuits were made from rubber and reduced almost all friction sparking controversy over the suits. Later in 2007 to 2008 speedo developed an even faster suit by the name of LZR. This suit was actually designed by NASA and was made to replicate shark skin for ultimate speed. This forced FINA to place a ban on full-body suits and restrict the men's swimwear to above the knee and below the waist and the women to above the knee and no longer than the shoulder.