HISTORY OF SWIMMING

ORIGIN AND BEGINNINGS:

The mastery of swimming and water has been part of human adaptation since the first hominids
transformed into bipeds and dominated the earth's surface.

Among the Egyptians, the art of swimming was one of the most basic aspects of public education,
as well as the knowledge of the therapeutic benefits of water, which was reflected in some
hieroglyphs dating back to 2500 BC. In ancient Greece and Rome swimming was part of military
training, even knowing how to swim provided a certain social distinction since when someone
wanted to be called uneducated or illiterate they were told that "they neither know how to swim
nor read." But knowing how to swim as a military tactic is not limited to ancient Greece and Rome,
but was preserved until modern times, as it is known that during the Second World War teaching
techniques were developed for combat troops.

There are indications that it was the Japanese who first held annual competitive swimming tests,
in the time of Emperor Sugiu in the year 38 BC.

The Phoenicians, great sailors and merchants, formed teams of swimmers for their trips in the
event of shipwrecks in order to rescue goods and passengers. These equipment also had the
function of keeping port access free of obstacles to allow ships to enter the ports. Other peoples,
such as the Egyptians, Etruscans, Romans and Greeks, have left us good proof of what water
meant to them in various constructions of artificial pools. However, the rise of this physical activity
declined in the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe, when entering the water was related to the
epidemic diseases that were ravaging then. But this changed starting in the 19th century, and
since then swimming has become one of the best physical activities, in addition to serving as
therapy and a survival method.
In the modern era, competitive swimming was instituted in Great Britain in the late 18th century.
The first such organization was the National Swimming Society, founded in London in 1837. In
1869 the Metropolitan Swimming Clubs Association was created, which later became the Amateur
Swimming Association (ASA).

The first national champion was Tom Morris, who won a one-mile race on the Thames in 1869. By
the end of the century, competitive swimming was also being established in Australia and New
Zealand and several European countries had already created national federations. In the United
States, amateur clubs began holding competitions in the 1870s.

Although swimming was already practiced in ancient Greece, a fact that was reflected in writings
such as the Iliad or The Odyssey, as well as in a multitude of clay utensils, this sport was never part
of the ancient Olympic Games. However, swimming was present in the first modern Games in
Athens in 1896 and since then it has always been included in the Olympic program.

In 1908 the Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA) was organized to hold amateur
races.

The women's competition was included for the first time in the 1912 Olympic Games.

Apart from the Olympics, international competitions in Europe have been sponsored by amateur
swimming clubs since the late 19th century. However, until the 1920s these competitions were not
defined on a stable and regular basis. Britain had created some competitions between the nations
of the British Empire before 1910. The first official British Empire Games, in which swimming was a
major component, were held in Canada in 1930. Swimming now plays a key role in several other
international competitions, the most notable being the Pan-American Games and the Asian and
Mediterranean competitions.

The World Championships were first held in 1973 and take place every four years. The European
Championships were first held in Budapest in 1926; there were five competitions between 1927
and 1947; From 1950 to 1974 they took place at four-year intervals and since 1981 they have
taken place every two years. There was a World Cup in 1979, when the United States won both
the men's and women's competitions. The European Cup was first held in 1969 and has taken
place every two years since then.

SWIMMING STYLES
In swimming there are four styles: front crawl , backstroke , breaststroke and butterfly .
From the point of view of propulsion and examining the effectiveness that the upper and lower
limbs have in each style, we can say that the only style that provides equal effectiveness between
upper and lower limbs is the breaststroke. In the rest of the styles, the effectiveness of the leg
action is less important than the arm action. We can see these percentages in the following
comparative table (table 1):

Table 1: Comparison between the propulsion of legs and arms in the different styles

Propulsion/Style Crawl Back Butterfly Fathom

Total: 100% 100% 100% 100%

Arm propulsion: 80% 75% 65% 50%

Leg propulsion: 20% 25% 35% 50%

2.1. Crawl Style

This style is the most popular in learning schools because it is the first to be taught.
The crawl has its origin in the English word "crawl", which means to crawl or crawl. It is also called
freestyle because, in the so-called events, the swimmer can swim any style (front crawl,
breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, doggy style, sideways, etc.), except in the individual style or
combined relay events, in which freestyle means any style other than backstroke, breaststroke or
butterfly.

This style emerged in Australia and its characteristic movements are attributed to the Englishman
John Arthur Turdgen in 1870, who imitated the technique of the Australian natives.

In this style the swimmer is in a ventral or prone position (face down), and consists of a complete
action of both arms (stroke) alternately, first the right and then the left, in a movement similar to
that of the blades of a mill, and a variable number of leg shakes (kick), depending on the swimmer
and the distance of the test swim.
For more information about the technique of this style you can see the front crawl technique or
front crawl exercises.

At the moment, it is the fastest style, followed by the butterfly, the backstroke and finally the
breaststroke. However, the latest advances in terms of technique indicate that the times recorded
in the butterfly are getting closer and closer to the speed of the front crawl. The following
comparative table shows the world records in the 50 meters of the four styles between March
2004 and August 2012 (table 2). As you can see, in five years all records have been broken.

Table 2. - Evolution of world records in the 50 meter pool.

Update/Style 50m. Crawl 50m. Butterfly 50m. Back 50m. Fathom

00:21.64 00:23.30 00:24.80

00:27.18
March 2004: Alexander Popov Ian Crocker Thomas
Oleg Lisogor (UKR)
(RUS) (USA) Rupprath (GER)

00:21.64 00:22.96 00:24.80

00:27.18
February 2006: Alexander Popov Roland Thomas
Oleg Lisogor (UKR)
(RUS) Schoeman (RSA) Rupprath (GER)

00:21.28 00:22.96 00:24.47

00:27.18
August 2008: Eamon Sullivan Roland Liam Tancock
Oleg Lisogor (UKR)
(AUS) Schoeman (RSA) (GBR)

00:20.94 00:22.43 00:24.04 00:26.67

August 2009: Frédérick Rafael Muñoz Liam Tancock Cameron Van Der
Bousquet (FRA) (ESP) (GBR) Burgh (RSA)

00:20.91 00:22.43 00:24.04 00:26.67

December 2009: Cesar Cielo Rafael Muñoz Liam Tancock Cameron Van Der
(BRA) (ESP) (GBR) Burgh (RSA)

00:22.43 00:24.04 00:26.67

00:20.91
August 2010: Rafael Muñoz Liam Tancock Cameron Van Der
Cesar Cielo (BRA)
(ESP) (GBR) Burgh (RSA)

00:22.43 00:24.04 00:26.67

00:20.91
August 2012: Rafael Muñoz Liam Tancock Cameron Van Der
Cesar Cielo (BRA)
(ESP) (GBR) Burgh (RSA)

Regarding the regulations for freestyle, we highlight, among many other rules, the following:

 Any part of the swimmer's body must touch the wall when completing each length of the
test, including the finish.

 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water during the development of
the test, with the exception of starts and turns, in which the swimmer may be submerged
for a distance of no more than 15 meters.
2.2. Back style

Also called back crawl.

In this style the
swimmer is in a dorsal
or supine position and
consists, like the front
crawl, in a complete
and alternative action
of both arms (stroke)
and a variable number
of leg beats (kick).
For more information
about the technique of
this style you can see
the back technique or
back exercises.

Initially, around 1912, this style was swum on the back of the body with a double stroke, that is,
with simultaneous arm movements and a bicycle kick. Over time, the style has evolved to the
present day thanks to modifications in the technique made by swimmers such as Kierfer in 1993,
Vallerey in 1948 or Tom Stock in 1960, and with contributions from prestigious coaches such as
James Counsilman.

Regarding the regulations for this style, we will highlight the following points:

 In the starting position, swimmers must hold onto the handholds of the starting platforms;
The feet, including the toes, will be below the surface of the water.

 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water during the test. However,
it will be allowed, although not more than 15 meters, to advance completely submerged
after the start and in the turns.

 During the flip, the swimmer may turn vertically towards the chest (turn in a ventral
position) and then perform a single or double stroke to start the flip, touching the wall
with any part of his body. The swimmer must return to the back position immediately
after leaving the wall, being able to travel a distance of no more than 15 meters under the
water and with undulating body movements.

 Upon arrival you must touch the wall in the back position, and may be completely
submerged at this time.
2.3. Breaststroke or breaststroke style

It is the oldest of all

since its movements
and posture are more
natural.
Although its technique
has evolved faster than
the rest of the styles, it
is the slowest of the
four. In this style the
swimmer is in a ventral
position and performs
simultaneous and
symmetrical arm and
leg movements. The
shoulders and hips perform an ascending and descending movement that, coordinated with the
movement of the arms, allows inhalation.
For more information about the technique of this style you can see the breaststroke technique or
breaststroke exercises.

Until 1986, two types of breaststroke could be differentiated: the formal breaststroke and the
natural breaststroke. The formal breaststroke is characterized by a horizontal position of the body
and by inhaling thanks to a flexion-extension movement of the neck. The natural breaststroke is
characterized by a less horizontal position, with lower hips and an upward and downward
movement of the shoulders and hips.

In 1986 the regulations were modified, eliminating the prohibition on sinking the head during
swimming. With this modification, what is called "wave breaststroke" arises, which is
characterized by performing an undulatory movement of the body, similar to that performed in
the butterfly with the intention of placing the swimmer "on top" of the wave that he himself
produces, thus as by an aerial recovery.

Another characteristic of the breaststroke that differentiates it from the rest of the styles is that, in
propulsion, the stroke (arm action) and the kick (leg action), share an importance of 50%, that is,
they contribute the same degree of propulsion. (See table 1).

Regarding the regulations for this style, we will highlight the following points:

 Turning onto your back is not permitted at any time.

 The movements of the arms and legs will be simultaneous and in the same horizontal
plane.

 The hands should be pushed together, forward, in front of the chest, down or over the
water.
  Elbows must be kept below water, except when turning and finishing.

 In the arm action, the hands may not go beyond the hip line, except in the first stroke after
the start and each turn.

 In the leg or kick action, scissor or dolphin movements are not allowed.

 You can break the surface of the water with your feet but not followed by a downward
movement in the form of a dolphin kick.

 In the turns and in the finish you must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously,
whether above or below the water level.

 During each complete stroke and kick cycle, some part of the head will break the surface
of the water, except after the start and during flips when a full stroke backwards (towards
the legs) may be taken while submerged. .

2.4. butterfly style

It is the most modern

style of all, its
appearance dates back
to the 1950s and was
born as a variant of the
breaststroke. It is one
of the most difficult to
learn since it requires
high levels of strength
and coordination.

In this style the

swimmer is in a ventral
position. Both the leg
and arm movements
are very similar to those performed in the crawl style but simultaneously and with slight
variations. In addition, it requires perfect coordination between the upper and lower extremities;
The latter perform a movement similar to the finning of dolphins, which is why it is also known as
"dolphin style."

Another characteristic of this style is a continuous undulatory movement of the entire body, in the
shape of a lying "S", which must also be perfectly coordinated with the legs and arms for better
propulsion in the water and allowing inhalation.
For more information about the technique of this style you can see the butterfly technique or
butterfly exercises.
Regarding the regulations for this style, we will highlight the following points:

 The movement of arms will be simultaneous and the recovery or recovery of these will be
carried out outside the water.

 The leg movement or kick will be simultaneous although it is not necessary for it to be at
the same level.

 In the flips and in the finish you must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously,
either on the surface of the water or below it.

 During the flip and finish, one or more kicks may be given, but only an underwater stroke
that brings the swimmer to the surface.

 The swimmer is allowed to travel a distance of no more than 15 meters under the water,
at starts and turns.

Side or lifeguard stroke:

It has many uses in non-competitive swimming. It is very useful as a rescue technique. In addition,
since it does not require as much physical effort as other styles, it is appropriate for long distances.
It is also popular for recreational swimming because the head always remains above the water.
The swimmer floats on one of the two sides of his body and moves his arms alternately. The arm
that is under the water pushes up to the height of the head, appears and returns to the waist; The
arm on top crosses the waist and then pushes back up to the chest. The legs open slowly and then
contract sharply, giving an impulse kick, like scissors, before straightening completely.
THE FIFTH STYLE
The underwater dolphin kick, Phelps' secret weapon

Swimming, a sport in which it might seem that there are no more secrets left to discover, never
ceases to surprise due to the constant chronometric advances it is obtaining. In addition to the
influence of new generation swimsuits, evolution must have other explanations. .

The popularization of underwater cameras, the democratization of knowledge towards more

coaches, the emergence of many more elite training groups than before, there are possibly many
added factors that allow for a sport that advances.

However, some claim that the most significant advance has been the reactivation of a swimming
maneuver developed more than 70 years ago by one of the physicists who worked on the atomic
bomb.

Although used for decades, the underwater dolphin kick had not been fully exploited by swimming
until the appearance of Michael Phelps and a few other stars who began refining the technique in
recent years. Added to this is the technology of new swimsuits, increasingly adapted to reduce
friction underwater.

The Americans have been the main supporters of this new style, thus its technical director Mark
Schubert assures "currently you cannot be successful without this ability." "It's a weapon," says
Jonty Skinner, the director of performance science for the US national team.

“It's been a quantum leap,” Michael Phelps' coach Bob Bowman said recently. "Michael goes 13
meters under water instead of five. People like Ian Thorpe didn't do that." Bowman continued
when he analyzed Phelps' races in Melbourne 2007 when he broke Thorpe's 200 freestyle world
record. According to Bowman, the difference between Thorpe's 1:44.06 in 2001 and Phelps'
1:43.86 in 2007 is in the turns where the American maintains the underwater wave motion much
longer.

It's not that other swimmers don't use this movement, it's that Phelps has perfected it and
incorporated it as a real competitive advantage. Many elite swimmers have used it for years, but
without knowing that using it to the limit results in a very significant reduction in times. According
to experts, the underwater dolphin movement is the fastest swimming style, with the exception of
the front crawl in 50-meter events.

The underwater dolphin kick was studied in the early 1930s by Professor Volney Wilson, before he
dedicated his knowledge to nuclear fission in the project that would later create the atomic bomb,
according to David Schrader, the scientist's biographer at the university. from Marquette. Wilson,
a water polo player at the 1932 Olympics, carried out a study on the propulsion of fish in the
Chicago Aquarium, trying to get Johnny Weissmuller to adopt it.

The technique took a long time to be adopted to other styles, as it was always associated with the
butterfly style. One of those who first adapted the technique was David Berkoff. In 1988, Berkoff
established several world records in the 100 backstroke, beginning the tests with a 35-meter
submarine using the dolphin wave motion. When rivals began to do the same, FINA banned
underwater swimming beyond 10 meters and later 15 meters.

Seven years later, Bob Gillet, a trainer in Arizona, urged his young star butterfly, Misty Hyman, not
only to do the underwater dolphin kick whenever she could, but also to swim sideways to enhance
the effects of the undulation. In 1997 Hyman won all of his butterfly races by swimming at least 35
meters underwater. A year later, FINA banned underwater butterfly and freestyle swimming
beyond 15 meters.

Despite the successes of Berkoff, Hyman and others, few coaches began trying to maximize the
advantage of swimming the 15 meters underwater faster. Many believed that the effort required
worked against the swimmer in the rest of the event, especially in events over 100 meters.

Another argument was that it is a difficult skill to teach and evaluate. Nobody really knew the right
way to do it. No one knew if it would be a big advantage or not. Therefore, for years, many
coaches and swimmers worked on it superficially and without perfecting it.

No one measured the real advantage that the style produced until someone won in spectacular
fashion and in the video room the rival coaches thought about how to beat it, according to
Schubert. One of the first to perfect the style was Neil Walker, who used it in the late 90s and early
2000s to beat Olympic backstroke champion Lenny Krayzelburg in the short course. According to
Schubert “we have all learned from him and copied his idea”

In August 2002, Phelps broke the 400 medley record in a tough fight with Erik Vendt at the USA
national championships in Fort Lauderdale (Florida). In the close race, Phelps catapulted into the
final turn with his underwater kick to emerge clearly ahead of Vendt and beat him. Phelps had just
seen how impressive that advantage could be. It was just the beginning of a daily work that has
taken him until today where he has already evolved and perfected the movement. He was joined
by such relevant figures as Natalie Coughlin, Ryan Lochte and Aaron Peirsol.

A year before the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, North American coaches met and agreed that
they needed to better understand the dolphin kick. It was already evident that it was important.
But there was practically no research on the topic. How much difference could it offer? How to
teach it? What was the best approach to incorporate it?

USA Swimming contacted a group of scientists at George Washington University who have studied
how fish swim in their effort to help design small submarines for the Navy.
North American Swimming Biomechanics Coordinator Mark Russell immediately got to work with
the university team that included professors Rajat Mittal and James Hahn and student Alfred von
Loebbecke. Research sponsored by USA Swimming began in 2003 and continues to this day.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE TALENTED SWIMMERS IN EL PERRÚ, AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS MAURICIO

FIOL:

Absolute National Championship 2013 "NOTHING" STOPES HIM

Mauricio Fiol broke the national record in the 400 freestyle and achieved the “B” mark at the
Barcelona World Cup

Definitely nothing stops the outstanding national swimmer Mauricio Fiol from achieving his goals.
On Saturday, May 18, during the penultimate day of competitions of the Absolute National
Championship, he broke another record, this time in the 400 meter freestyle. Let us remember
that in the first two dates he surpassed the primaries of
the 100 free and 100 butterfly, now added to this is the
absolute national record of the 400 meters free after
registering 3 minutes, 55 seconds and 86 hundredths, a
time that was enough to improve the previous record
that had been held since October 2009 by the athlete
Sebastián Jahnsen with 3:57.44. It should be noted that
Mauricio completed the “B” qualifying mark of the
Barcelona World Championships with this time, the
minimum record of which was established by the International Swimming Federation. (FINE) is
3:57.58. On the other hand, we must also highlight those swimmers who won, in the first two
dates, gold medals such as Alejandra Valle in the 100 free, 100 butterfly and 400 combined,
Andrea Malarín in the 50 butterfly, Sebastián Arispe in the 200 free, María Fe Muñoz in the 100
backstroke, Daniel Mitsumasu in the 100 and 200 backstroke, Camila Bazán in the 100
breaststroke, Heilynn Zorrilla in the 50 breaststroke, Andrea Cedrón in the 200 freestyle and
Luciana Pun in the 200 backstroke.

THESE ARE THE 5 MOST SURPRISING SWIMMERS IN LONDON 2012

Yannick Agnel

The Frenchman has won no more and no less than two gold medals in these Olympic Games, the
first in the 400 medley relay and the second in the 200 meter freestyle. His help was essential for
the French team to recover and win the gold medal. His participation in London 2012 came at the
last minute, as he replaced Alain Bernard in the event. He always listens to his mp3 before jumping
into the pool.
Ryan Lochte

He arrived in London with the aim of stopping being the shadow of Michael Phelps and surpassing
him, which he achieved by winning first place and gold in the 400 meter medley, leaving the
'Shark' in fourth place with no option to get on the podium. . Lochte has the peculiarity that every
time he receives his medals, he places a dental piece covered with diamonds that form the United
States flag on his teeth.

Ye Shiwen

The London 2012 revelation. The Chinese swimmer has been breaking records in the Olympic
Games, winning gold in the 400 meter medley and breaking the world and Olympic record, in
addition to surpassing the male champion of the same competition Ryan Lochte in time for the last
50 meters. Her impressive numbers raised suspicions of some type of doping on the part of the 16-
year-old athlete, but the analysis by the World Anti-Doping Agency showed negative results.

Dana Vollmer

In her second participation in the Olympic Games, the American dazzled by winning gold in the
100 meter butterfly, being her second gold medal after the one obtained in Athens 2004 with the
American team in the 200 meter freestyle category. Vollmer was on the verge of frustrating his
career due to a heart complication that caused him to have a very high heart rate of 240 beats per
minute. Fortunately, she was able to undergo surgery and recovered.

Michael Phelps

Despite winning only one gold medal and two silver medals in London, the 'Shark' reached the
absolute record of 19 Olympic medals, surpassing the Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who until
before the start of the Games had 18 in her cabinets. Phelps arrived as the great favorite to win
these Games, but so far he has had more team achievements than individual ones.