According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) classification , swimming as a sport includes: competitive swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming with Lifeguard Class. The development of swimming in the world is coordinated by the International Swimming Federation (FINA), founded in 1908, which has been organizing world championships since 1973, and in Europe, the European Swimming League (LEN), established in 1926 and organizing European championships since 1926. According to the number of medals won at the Olympic Games, swimming is in second place, followed only by athletics.
You can consider swimming not as a water sports complex, but in terms of the purpose of the movement. Swimming can then be divided into several types (athletic, applied, health-enhancing, figurative, underwater). Each type of swimming is characterized by special movements or ways of moving in the aquatic environment. And the way of moving in the water in turn determines the technique of swimming.
We present the above in chart form and discuss the types of swimming and some water sports in more detail.
Sport swimming
Sport swimming includes a variety of competitions held in 50 or 25 meter long pools at a distance of 50 to 1500 meters, as well as in open water for long distances (5, 10, 25 km). The first swimmer (team) to reach the finish line wins.
The distance must be covered by various strictly regulated competition rules. Sport sports are: freestyle (crawling on the chest), butterfly (dolphin), chest, back (back). When it comes to speed, the fastest way to swim is with a crawler at the front, then a butterfly, back and chest.
Swimming styles (left to right): back, chest, bow tie, freestyle
Now the Olympic swimming program in the 50 m pool consists of 32 numbers (16 distances for men and 16 for women):
single-seater sports in various distances: freestyle (50, 100, 200, 400, 800 meters for women and 50, 100, 200, 400 and 1500 meters for men), hydraulic back (100 and 200 meters), chest (100). and 200 meters), butterfly (100 and 200 meters),
integrated swimming (200 and 400 meters).
Swimming in a free style
freestyle relay 4 * 100 and 4 * 200 meters. Four swimmers take turns swimming in a free style of equal length;
combined relay 4 * 100 meters. Each participant swims their stage in a certain way.
Since 2008, the Olympic program includes a marathon in open water for a distance of 10 km.
The program of the World Championships and other international competitions is somewhat different from the Olympics. In addition, the competition takes place separately in the “short water” (25-meter pool).
Swimming is a variety of swims – swims long distances (more than 2 km), kept in natural pools. Marathon rides take place at a distance of 5, 10, 25 km. It sails up to 100 – 150 km long. Participants in the distance have the right to use any means of swimming, to change them during the distance, as well as to eat food in a position that is not in the water.
By clicking on the links, you can learn about the success of the Soviet and Russian Olympians, read about the world’s most outstanding swimmers and swimmers, read with Lifeguard Class.
Play swimming
Playing swimming is the use of all kinds of outdoor games in the aquatic environment. Games evoke great emotions, increase activity, develop coordination, foster a sense of friendship and initiative. A variety of games and entertainment are widely used in the health camps and water holidays. One of these games – water polo – has become an Olympic sport with Lifeguard Class.