ACOG - Aquatics: Swimming - IBM

Olympic Swimming Overview

Whether it's the spirit of the flame, the glory of the gold medal or just something in the water, the Olympic Games have always brought out the best in the world's top swimmers. From the chilly waters of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens to the picturesque setting of Piscines Bernat Picornell in Barcelona, swimmers have thrilled crowds with record-shattering performances. Now, in a new venue with new resolve, another top field of hopefuls could once again set new standards in the sport.

One of the most widely-watched events at the Games, the Olympic swimming competition provides a glimpse of the sport's history as well as a look at some of its future stars.

Only one woman has ever won three gold medals in three Olympic Games, but Janet EVANS of the United States and Kirsztina EGERSZEGI of Hungary could form an elite club with Australia's Dawn FRASER as the only women to accomplish the feat. EVANS will attempt to win her third straight gold medal in the 800m freestyle while EGERSZEGI will seek her third championship in the 200m backstroke. FRASER was the first to collect three gold medals in three trips to the Games in the 100m at Melbourne, Rome and Tokyo. Russia's Aleksandr Popov could likewise add his name to the record book with his quest to become the first swimmer since 1928 to win consecutive gold medals in the 100m freestyle. POPOV will attempt to make history as a two-time double winner after capturing titles in both the 50m and 100m events in Barcelona. With a successful double, POPOV will become the first swimmer in the short history of the 50m to repeat as champion in both events.

The women's world record-holder in both events, Jingyi Le of the People's Republic of China also will attempt to win a 50m-100m freestyle doublein the women's competition. Teammate YING Shan defeated JINGYI in the 100m at the Chinese Olympic Trials, but will have to hold of challenges from Amy VAN DYKEN and Angel MARTINO of the United States in addition to Natalia Mesheriakova of Russia.

Australia has a long Olympic tradition at the pool, and world record-holder Kieren Perkins will try to add to the legacy as the third Australian male to win gold medals in consecutive Games. Perkins won the 1500m freestyle in Barcelona and will be among the favorites in the event here in Atlanta.

Olympic swimming history is filled with tenth-of-a-second touches and minuscule winning margins, but the 1996 men's 400m freestyle could be among the most tightly-contested events of the swimming competition. Australian Pan Pacific champion Daniel Kowalski, world short course record-holder Danyon Loader of New Zealand and 400m individual medley world record-holder Tom Dolan of the United States head the list of hopefuls vying for the gold medal. Loader also will complete in the 200m freestyle while Dolan will see action in both the individual medley events.

The women's 100m breaststroke also could provide a historic finish. Australia's Samantha Riley won the bronze medal in Barcelona and set the world record in the event in 1994. However, South Africa's Penny HeYNS topped the world mark at the South African Olympic trials. HEYNS is already familiar with records at the Olympic venue after setting a Pan Pacific Championship mark at the pool last summer. Amanda Beard and Kristine Quance of the United States should challenge for medals along with Pan Pacific silver medalist Guylaine Cloutier of Canada. The long list of contenders will meet again in the 200m breaststroke where they will be joined by defending Olympic champion Kyoko IWASAKI of Japan.

History may come full circle for the family of the United States' Gary Hall Jr. Hall made his Olympic debut at a very young age when his father, Olympian Gary Sr., paraded his infant son around the pool deck in celebration of a 100m butterfly bronze medal in 1976. Twenty years later, Hall Jr. is one of the favorites in the 100m freestyle after his father won three medals in three Olympic appearances and carried the flag for the United States in the 1976 opening ceremonies. Hall Jr. has already made history at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center as the anchor leg of the United States' world record-setting 4x100m freestyle relay team. Hall, David Fox, Joe Hudepohl and Jon Olsen set the record in Atlanta at last summer's Pan Pacific Championships. One of the favorites in the event, the U.S. team has won every 4 x 100m freestyle relay since the race was first contested in 1964 (the event was not contested in 1976 and 1980). In the Olympic 4 x 100m medley relay, the United States has not only won the eight Olympic races it entered, but also set eight world records in the process. The U.S. team did not enter the 1980 Moscow Games and Australia won the gold medal. The United States, Australia and Russia will contend for top honors in all three men's relays.

Women's teams from the United States or Germany have won every 4x100m medley relay and 14 of the 18 4x100m freestyle relays contested at the Games. The two pool powers will try to add a new event to their collections of medals as the women's 4x200m freestyle relay makes its debut at the Centennial Olympic Games. Australia and Canada have also enjoyed success in the relays while the People's Republic of China won its first-ever women's relay medal in 1992.

While veteran Olympians attempt to repeat gold medal performances, they will have to fend off the newest generation of swimming sensations. Teenage record holders are familiar sights on the Olympic medal podium with both Evans and EGERSZEGI earning their first gold medals as youthful phenoms. Both Olympic legends will face tough tests from the newest group of young challengers when 16-year old Brooke Bennett of the United States meets Evans in the 800m freestyle and teens Miki NAKAO of Japan, Beth BOTSFORD of the United States challenge EGERSZEGI and world record holder Cihong He of the People's Republic of China in the 100m backstroke. Hardly a newcomer, 18-year old Franziska van ALMSICK already owns a world record in the 200m freestyle.

The latest collection of swimming stars could begin similar golden careers led by the USA's Beard and China's Yan Chen. Beard ranks among the favorites in both breaststroke events while YAN won the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle races at the Chines Olympic Trials.

Youth is perpetual at the Olympic pool, but so is the controversy.

Accusations of drug use and fears of sabotage and inadvertent doping have escalated almost as rapidly as the records have fallen. FINA, the international federation for the four aquatic disciplines, took action on the doping issue and approved a four-year ban for athletes testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. To help keep the pool clean during the Centennial Olympic Games, strict security measures will limit access to the pool deck area to protect swimmers from sabotage, and doping tests will be administered to select athletes in accordance with International Olympic Committee Medical Commission guidelines.

Although some athletes have sought an artificial short-cut to athletic glory, the majority of the competitors have spent years of training in preparation for the Games. But while controversies may swirl around the deck, the true heroes remain in the pool where they will continue to conquer the waters, capture the glory and renew the spirit.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publication Department. Written by Howard Thomas.


Olympic Factoid
Pin trading was one of the most popular Olympic sports, with more than 1.2 million pins changing hands during the Games in the Coca Cola Pin Trading Center at Centennial Olympic Park.