Athletes propel themselves through water using coordinated arm and leg movements, racing over set distances in designated lanes. That sport is swimming. It is contested in pools and, in open-water formats, in natural bodies of water.

The four competitive strokes are freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Individual medley races combine all four. Relays add team competition. Elite pool racing occurs over distances from 50 to 1500 meters. Technique efficiency is critical because water resistance exacts a high cost for poor form.

Training volumes are often large, emphasizing aerobic base, threshold work, and race-pace speed. Starts, turns, and underwater phases have become major performance differentiators. Swimming provides a full-body workout with low joint impact, making it valuable for both competition and general fitness.

• Sport of racing through water using the limbs
• Includes four strokes and multiple distances
• Technique and efficiency are decisive
• Contested in pools and open water