Q1. What is swimming?
A physical exercise and technique of wading through water and keeping afloat. In the context of competition sport it requires an explanation to say that it is a standardized way of swimming on designated areas in different ways for different distances.
Q2. Since when swimming is included in modern day Olympics?
Since 1896 Athens Olympics. There are about 17 designated distance swimming of which 13 disciplines have been included in Olympics and other major events. Men and women take part in swimming competitions. There are no professional competitions in swimming.
Q3. What are the four basic methods of swimming techniques?
BUTTERFLY: Swimming on the breast, with both arms moving simultaneously in forward motion.
BACK STROKE: Swimming on the back with hands alternating in strokes.
FREE STYLE: It is swimming forward with arms alternating in the movement.
BREAST STROKE: Swim while leaning on the chest, with the arms only breaking the surface of the water slightly, and, legs always under water, while the head is under water for the second half of the stroke. The kick by the leg is called "Frog kick".
Q4. What are the various approved specifications of swimming pools for major competitions?
An artificial enclosed body of water. The approved specifications are: Length: 50 mtr / 164 feet Breadth: 25 mtr / 82 feet. Lanes: eight Lane width: 2.5 mtr Temperature: 25 to 28 degree C Depth: 2 mtr / 6.5 feet Illuminance - 1500 lux (Unit of Illuminance)
Q5. What are the chemicals used to disinfect the water in the swimming pool, to prevent skin infections and stomach disorder which are common occurrences?
Simple chloride compounds like Sodium Hypochlorite, Bromine compounds and Ozone are used. They are called Pool Chemicals. When these are added to the water, it should be ensured that the pH range (measure of acidity of a solution) is maintained between 7.2 to 7.6, as higher pH range would make the sanitizers ineffective. Another form of disinfectants are Biguanides which Utilize the PHMB - Poly Hexa Methylene Biguanide. They are less harsh and more stable, but, are more expensive and require periodic strengthening.
Q6. Which are the events held in swimming?
Normal events are 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 mtrs individual and relays. In the relays two or four swimmers are used, one by one, after completion of a specified lap, for instance in 4 x 100 mtrs, four swimmers are used to complete the event.
Q7. What is "Medley" in swimming?
It is an individual relay event in which swimmers are supposed to swim the distance in all the four strokes of swimming. In this, all the four swimmer different stroke of swimming one by one.
Q8. What is "Synchronized Swimming"?
Combination of swimming, gymnastics, and ballet, including individual or teams, performing aesthetically pleasing and difficult movements in water, usually accompanied by instrumental music.
Q9. What is Diving and the heights of the Diving boards?
It is another eye catching and interesting skill performance in water. It is a prominent sport in Olympics. Using a diving board of 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 mtr heights, competitors exhibit their skills in diving into the water, with twists, turns and somersaults in their body.
Q10. What are the two ways of diving?
(1) Spring Boards: It is a diving board that itself is a spring i.e., a linear flex spring of the cantilever type. They are generally fixed by a hinge, at one end, so that they can be flipped up when not in use, and the other end usually hangs over a swimming pool, with a point midway between the hinge and the end resting on an adjustable fulcrum.
(2) Platforms: These are also called Towers. A rigid structure consisting of a vertical "tower" with one or more horizontal platforms extending into the pool. Normally fixed at a height of 10, 7.5 and 5 mtrs. Diving events are held for (1) 10 mtr platform (2) 3 mtr spring board (3) Synchronized diving 10 mtr platform (4) Synchronized diving 3 mtr springboard.
Q11. How the points are awarded in Diving?
It is based on various factors. Diving consists of twists, turns, somersaults, which is again related to the height of the board. Entry into water - no splash entry called Rip - and lot of splashing of water called smack - is also taken into consideration, while awarding points. Each diver is to take a maximum of 10 dives and the aggregate of points decides the winner. Maximum of 10 points is called a "Perfect Ten".
Q12. Who set a world record of 7 gold medals in swimming in Olympics?
Mark Spitz - USA - Munich Olympics - 1972.
Q13. Who broke Mark Splitz records in the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Michael Phelps - USA - Beijing, 2008. 8 gold medals.
Q14. What unique record, an young Indian girl Swapnali Yadav from Mumbai has in the field of swimming?
At the age of 8 years she completed the 30 km swim across in Gulf of Messiniakos from Koroni to Kalamata, in Greece , in 11 hrs 10 minutes, well below the 12 hrs time given, and has become the youngest in the world to do it. The uniqueness is that, she will keep this record forever, as the organizers have increased the participating age as 16 there after.
