Commonwealth Games

Events > Commonwealth Games > Sport > Aquatics > Swimming

Swimming

Swimming is one of the core Commonwealth Games sports, and has been on every Games program since the first in 1930 (the others are Boxing and Athletics). Swimming is an extremely popular recreational and competitive sport within the Commonwealth.

History

• Swimming is among the oldest sports on the Commonwealth Games program. It has been contested at every Games since the first in 1930.

Competition

• The competition includes events for men and women over 50m, 100m and 200m in Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. There is also a 400m Freestyle for both men and women, 800m (women) and 1500m men) Freestyle events. The 200m and 400m Individual Medley and the 4x100m and 4x200m Freestyle and 4x100m Medley Relay events are also held.

Trivia

• At the 1994 Games, Australian Keiran Perkins set two world records (800m and 1,500m Freestyle) both in the 1,500m race.

• Out of the 40 swimming events contested at the Manchester Games in 2002, Australia won a staggering 27 gold medals  - nearly three quarters of the medals available! Australia’s swimming performance was led by Ian Thorpe, winning three gold and one silver.

Related Pages

• About swimming at the Olympic Games and at the FINA World Swimming Championships
• All about the sport of swimming
• See the list of Commonwealth Games sports