Starting on August 5th over 10,500 athletes from around the world will be competing for seventeen days in Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games. With the summer olympics right around the corner, it’s almost time to watch the stars of the USA swimming team compete for world-breaking records and gold medals. Swimmers from over 200 countries must complete a set distance using a certain swimming style in the least amount of time. Here’s everything you need to know about swimming in the olympic games:
- An Olympic pool is 50m wide, 25m large, 3m deep, and the water temperature varies from 25 degrees celsius to 28 degrees celsius.
- The pool is divided into 8 competition lanes that are each 2.5 m wide.
- Most events start from the starting blocks besides the backstroke which starts in the pool.
- A false start will result in a disqualification for the swimmer at fault.
- There are electronic sensors on the end walls in the pool that provide precision timing within a hundredth of a second.
- All swimmers are required to wear a cap, goggles, and and a swimsuit.
- The four swimming styles in the games are backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.
- Competitions are divided in qualifiers semi-finals (with the 16 best of the event) and finals (with the 8 best of the semi-finals).
- There is also relay, disputed by teams with four athletes (each team member performs a part of the event), and medley, by teams or individual, that unites the four swimming styles in the same event.
- The first Olympic pool competitions were held at the London 1908 Games, before that competitions used to take place in open waters.
- Michael Phelps is the most successful Olympian of all time holding 18 gold medals.
- At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 96 swimming medals will be up for grabs.
The USA has won at least half of the medals at almost every Olympics and this year’s games will be overflowing with some of the best competitors of all time. From Missy Franklin to Cesar Cielo, you won’t want to miss out on the action of the tense competition swimming in the 2016 games.
While you may not be a competitive swimmer yourself, taking some laps in your Aqua Blue Pool is a great way to stay in shape and enjoy the Florida sunshine. As your Melbourne pool builder, we have the team and experience to bring your pool construction dreams to life. Whether you’re looking for a lap pool or relaxing spa, you can trust that the team at Aqua Blue will bring you the highest quality products and building techniques. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation!