Swimming

Swimming is a competitive sport in which humans move themselves through water. It is a popular recreational activity, in particular where the climate is hot and in areas with natural watercourses. Swimming carries many health benefits. At Summer Olympic Games, swimming is a popular event.Male and female athletes compete in 13 of the recognized events each. Competitive swimming's international governing body FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) is the competitive swimming's international governing body. DO YOU KNOW Some occupations require the workers to swim Abalone divers or pearl divers or spear fishermen swim and dive to obtain an economic benefit. Swimming is used to rescue other swimmers in distress. Swimming is used in marine biology to observe plants and animals in their natural habitat. In military swimming is used to approach a location, gather intelligence, sabotage or combat, and to depart a location. HISTORY OF SWIMMING Stone Age swimming drawings were found near Sura, in the southwestern part of Egypt. Written references date back up to 2000 B.C. First swimming book was written in 1538 by Nicolas Wynman, German professor of languages. Competitive swimming started around 1800 in Europe. Swimming was part of the first modern Summer Olympics games in Athens in 1896. At the Summer Olympic Games, swimming is a popular event, where male and female athletes compete in 13 of the recognized events each. The world swimming association Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) was formed in 1908. SWIMMING TECHNIQUES Torso and the legs should be as parallel as possible to the surface of the water. The dropped legs or a slanted torso dramatically increases drag. The hands is suppose to be extended forward of the head as much as possible. This will increase the average length at the water-line, substantially increasing the speed.

SWIMMING COMPETITIVE STROKES

• Butterfly
• Backstroke
• Breaststroke
• Freestyle

SWIMMING POOL

According to Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) the following are the measurements of a standard swimming pool. The pool is divided into eight lanes and have two areas at each side of the pool.

• Length is 50m (164 feet)
• Width is 25m (82 feet)
• Lanes length 2.5m (8.2 feet)
• Two areas length 2.5m (8.2 feet)
• Water temperature 25-28°C (77-82.4°F)