Swimming: Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021

One of 5 sports to have been held at every single Modern Olympics, Swimming will be one of the 33 sports to feature at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. What started off as a four-event program in 1896 has evolved into the 37 event program that it is today. As a sport, Swimming dominates the first half of the Olympic Games, with Athletics taking over in the second half. It remains one of the most popular sports and has the largest number of participants. 

The most successful Olympian in Swimming is also the most successful Olympian in Olympics history. Over the span of four Olympics, the USA's Michael Phelps claimed a whopping 27 medals (23 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze) 

The most decorated nation in Olympic Swimming is the USA with 549 medals (246 Gold, 169 Silver, 134 Bronze)

Swimming at Tokyo 2020

The Swimming program at the Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021 will see the addition of three events. The addition of the 800 m freestyle race will bolster the men's events. The women's events will see the addition of the 1500 m freestyle. Furthermore, a mixed event will take place in Swimming. This will be in the form of the 4x100 m medley relay. This event may pit men against women on certain legs. The order of strokes to be followed for the medley relay is as follows- backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle. 

Top Swimmers at the Tokyo Olympics

As the most decorated nation in Swimming, Team USA will be expected to run riot in Tokyo as well. The country will send in a 53 person squad to the quadrennial meet. 

Read more: USA Announces Women’s Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Breaststroke, and Relay Swimming Teams for Tokyo Olympics 2021

Some of the most prominent names from the men's and women's rosters include- Allison Schmitt, Bobby Finkle, Ryan Murphy, Kieran Smith, Michael Andrew, Alex Walsh, Paige Madden, Brooke Forde, Nic Fink, Michael Brinegar, Blake Pieroni, and Townley Haas. Furthermore, the attention of the world will be on the 15-year-old Katie Grimes. 

Caeleb Dressel will look to claim gold in the 50 m, 100 m freestyle, and the 100 m butterfly events. Other prominent names in the men's events include Daiya Seto and Adam Peaty. 

Katie Ledecky will seek to set the pool alight in the 1,500 m freestyle and become the first woman to claim gold in the event. If she wins gold at Tokyo, it will be her third consecutive Olympics with a first-place finish at a single event. Her closest challenger is expected to be Australia's, Ariarne Titmus. 

Read More: ‘An Honor’ – Katie Ledecky Embracing New Rivalry With Ariarne Titmus Ahead of Tokyo Olympics 2021

Other names to watch out for in the women's swimming events include Sarah Sjostrom, who is a multiple-time world champion. Another name to keep your eyes on is Hungary's Katinka Hosszu.

Types of Swimming

Swimming is differentiated based on different types of strokes. The four strokes used in swimming at the Olympics are as follows. Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. In the open water event, swimmers use the freestyle. 

Read More: Tokyo Olympics 2020: What Does an Olympic Swimmer’s Food Diet Look Like?

Competition Format for Swimming at Tokyo 2021

All swimming events will begin with the heats. These will be followed by the semi-finals and/or the finals, depending on the event. However, the marathon swimming will start directly with the finals. 

Schedule for Swimming at the Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021

Swimming at the Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021 will take place at the Olympics Aquatic Center and the Tokyo Bay. The events will kick off on Day 2 (July 24) and last until Day 14 (August 5)

Men's Swimming

Women's Swimming

Mixed Swimming

Venue for Swimming at the Tokyo Olympics 2020

Swimming at the Tokyo Olympics 2020-2021 will take place at the Olympics Aquatic Center. This will be the same venue for the Artistic Swimming and Diving competitions too. Furthermore, the marathon swimming will be held at Tokyo Bay.