Famous Swimmers - List of Famous Swimmers

A swimmer is an athlete who swims, especially to participate in competitive swimming events. Swimming is a water based sport that became popular in the 19th century. As a recreational activity, swimming had been around for centuries; the earliest recorded evidence of swimming dates back to Stone Age paintings. In competitive swimming, the swimmers attempt to constantly improve upon one’s time or strive to surpass the competitors in a given event. The Summer Olympic Games include 16 swimming events for male and female athletes which are held in a 50-meter pool called a long course pool. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) is the international governing body for competitive swimming. There are four major styles of swimming—freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly stroke. Competitive events may be held in one or all of these styles. Swimmers need to be powerful and need to create muscle power in order to build resistance. It is especially important for swimmers to have strong abdominal muscles. Due to their continued exposure to water and the sun, swimmers have to take great care of their skin and hair to prevent damage to them. This section provides you information about the life and works of various famous swimmers from all over the world.