Swim-The Sport
How has it changed over the years?
I chose this as my passion project because I love to swim competitively.
Freestlye
Freestyle(front crawl 1902)~ At first, breaststroke was the only stroke being swum. Then, Richard Cavil came around, an Australian swimmer, who decided to kick up and down, while stretching both arms out at alternative times. This stroke, was dubbed "The Australian Crawl." Later, Johnny Weissmuller, who was well known for playing Tarzan in the Tarzan Films, broke 1 minute in the 100 Free(1912).<--- For you non-swimmers, breaking 1 minute is a very good time.
Butterfly
Butterfly 1952~ Breaststroke was by far the most popular stroke. Later, people realized that by dolphin kicking, and moving their hands up instead of down(Like in Breaststroke) they could have another stroke. First, it was another variation of Breaststroke, but later, that next year, FINA made butterfly an official stroke.
Freestyle Flip Turn
Flipping on the wall to change directions 1965~ As swimming first started, swimmers had to touch the wall, completely stop, then do a flip turn. After a short while, the swimming organization, FINA, changed it so you didn't have to touch the wall, shaving key seconds off your time,
Backstroke Flipping
Flipping onto the wall to change directions 1991~ Like freestyle, backstrokers had to touch the wall, but this time on their backs, then turn around and push off.
Backstroke Goes Under The Water
Dolphin kicks before emerging on to the surface 1988~ David Berkoff, an American swimmer, conveys to the world that staying underwater is much more efficient and much faster. That summer, the Gold and Silver medalists of the 100 backstroke went almost 35 meters underwater. This caused FINA to make a rule change saying swimmers could only go underwater until the 10 Meter mark, later changed to 15.
Rule Changes
As you have seen up above, there are plenty of rule changes in the sport, which is swimming. Rule changes can happen from underwater pullouts, to strokes, to flip turns. Even during this Season there was a Rule change for breaststroke pull out. I couldn't put it in my presentation because its not an official change yet, but FINA wants everyone to start adjusting to it.
Swim Gear
in the Early 1960's to 1970's goggles and caps were born. Originally, everyone hated them, so it took a while for people to adapt to them. Goggles were, and are used the same, to give the swimmer a clear vision of where they are going, without water in their eyes. However, unlike goggles, caps were first made for style. Girls, and boys, used them for fashion, and to keep their hair dry. Now, in the world of swimming, caps are used to reduce drag and help you swim faster. Suits for women can, and could, only go from the shoulders to the knees, and for men, the waist to the knees.
Super Suit Ban
In 2009, FINA banned a suit called, the Super Suit. While swimmers were able to wear these suits, it seemed like every second a world record was being broken. A great majority of the swimmer loved these suits because it allowed them to stay on top of the water, so there was practically no drag. A big reason FINA decided to get rid of the Super Suit was because it made working hard seem insignificant.