What do the official tests in swimming consist of?

The tests that are carried out in sporting events such as the Olympics have the purpose of selecting only the most skilled athletes for a subsequent dispute between them for the gold medal. 

In a previous post we mentioned the swimming tests that take place in the Olympic Games and in the World Swimming Championships, now it is time to explain what each of them consists of with Lifeguard Training.

The time in the tests determines the champion in swimming 

In each sport victory is achieved differently, for example, in football the winning team is the one who scores the most goals and in the javelin the contestant who reaches the maximum height.

Swimmers are evaluated based on the time they execute the swim, this is the main indicator, it is the rule that establishes those who go to the semifinals and finals. 

In the events of the Olympic Games, time and distance are used to filter the participants in different events, establishing a record that must be surpassed for each style of swimming, so that only the fastest will pass.

What tests are performed 

There are 16 identical events for men and women in all styles except freestyle, where there is little difference between the two genders.

For freestyle, swimmers run 50, 100, 200 and 400 meters individually. In the case of men the maximum competition is 1500m and in the case of women it is 800m.

In the backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke styles the distance is 100 and 200 m for each individual style and when the four styles are combined in the same test the total distance is 200 and 400 meters. The swimming order must be butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.

In the relays of different styles, a different swimmer swims each series of the test in a different style and the distance is 100 and 200 meters. The order that the competitors must follow is backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and freestyle with American Lifeguard Events Vienna.

Competitions are always held in an indoor pool unless the category is “Open Water Swimming”.

Rules for swimming tests 

The application on the body of fatty products that facilitate the swimmer's sliding on the surface of the water is totally prohibited, however, they can be completely removed to reduce the friction effect with Lifeguard Recertification.

The design of the swimsuit is key and light fabrics are allowed as long as they do not help to float, are not transparent and do not expose intimate parts of the body.