Sport is LifeSport is Life

Emergence and Development of Emergence and Development of SwimmingSwimming

Human beings have been swimming since the earliest times Human beings have been swimming since the earliest times of their own development – firstly looking for food and of their own development – firstly looking for food and shelter, and later for geographical, religious, cultural, shelter, and later for geographical, religious, cultural, financial and other reasons. financial and other reasons.

Historical sources point out Egypt, Babylon and Assyria as Historical sources point out Egypt, Babylon and Assyria as countries in which swimming was vastly spread in about countries in which swimming was vastly spread in about 3400 B.C. In Tibet, Luxor and Memphis during the rule of 3400 B.C. In Tibet, Luxor and Memphis during the rule of Tutmost I, artificial pools were built. Tutmost I, artificial pools were built.

The left picture dates back to 1000 years B.C. and represents a The left picture dates back to 1000 years B.C. and represents a competition between swimmers. Scientists have determined it to be competition between swimmers. Scientists have determined it to be a mural painting from Ancient Greece. The right one is an Egyptian a mural painting from Ancient Greece. The right one is an Egyptian papyrus from 3000 B.C.papyrus from 3000 B.C.

Swimming reaches its peak in Ancient Greece. In Greece swimming Swimming reaches its peak in Ancient Greece. In Greece swimming was part of the military training as well as of general physical was part of the military training as well as of general physical education. In the past the swimming ability was honoured as much education. In the past the swimming ability was honoured as much as reading or writing. Athens gave the opportunity to swim both to as reading or writing. Athens gave the opportunity to swim both to young men and women. All the swimming competitions were held young men and women. All the swimming competitions were held at the Isthmian Games which were dedicated to the God of the sea at the Isthmian Games which were dedicated to the God of the sea – Poseidon. – Poseidon.

On the next picture you can see an On the next picture you can see an ancient Greek coin which tells the ancient Greek coin which tells the legend of Leander and Hero. legend of Leander and Hero.

Physical education in the Roman Physical education in the Roman Empire was part of family life. Later Empire was part of family life. Later swimming became obligatory before swimming became obligatory before every battle. Julius Caesar himself every battle. Julius Caesar himself swam amazingly well. He even swam amazingly well. He even organized special swimming courses organized special swimming courses for soldiers’ training. With the for soldiers’ training. With the widespread new Christian religion widespread new Christian religion the influence not only of swimming the influence not only of swimming but of physical education as a whole but of physical education as a whole sharply decreased. Christianity sharply decreased. Christianity approved only of body’s torture and approved only of body’s torture and soul’s ascending. Swimming was in soul’s ascending. Swimming was in standstill until the time of the standstill until the time of the Middle Ages. At that time, Middle Ages. At that time, swimming was included in the swimming was included in the seven knight’s virtues. From 15th to seven knight’s virtues. From 15th to 17th c. people turned their attention 17th c. people turned their attention to reality outside and the interest in to reality outside and the interest in swimming highly increased. In the swimming highly increased. In the end of 18th c. a lot of books and end of 18th c. a lot of books and manuals were published. manuals were published.

The first international competitions ever held were in The first international competitions ever held were in Budapest in 1889 and swimmers of several European Budapest in 1889 and swimmers of several European countries attended. countries attended.

At that time, competitions were in pools. Swimming At that time, competitions were in pools. Swimming became an Olympic sport in 1896. The winner in 100m in became an Olympic sport in 1896. The winner in 100m in the first Olympic Games was the Hungarian Layoush the first Olympic Games was the Hungarian Layoush Hayoush. In the 70-ies of 20th century swimming became Hayoush. In the 70-ies of 20th century swimming became very popular. very popular.

In 1908 the International Federation in Swimming (Federation In 1908 the International Federation in Swimming (Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur) was founded. This year Internationale de Natation Amateur) was founded. This year FINA celebrates 100 years since its establishment. FINA celebrates 100 years since its establishment. When FINA When FINA was founded in 1908, there were just eight National was founded in 1908, there were just eight National Federations responsible for its formation: Belgium, Denmark, Federations responsible for its formation: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary and Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary and Sweden. A century later, there are 194 National Federations Sweden. A century later, there are 194 National Federations with FINA Membership on every continent. Each Member shall with FINA Membership on every continent. Each Member shall acknowledge in its national rules that FINA is the only acknowledge in its national rules that FINA is the only recognised body in the world which internationally governs recognised body in the world which internationally governs the five aquatic disciplinesthe five aquatic disciplines – Swimming, Open Water – Swimming, Open Water

Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Synchronized Swimming.Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Synchronized Swimming.

Lausanne, Switzerland has Lausanne, Switzerland has been the home base of the been the home base of the Fédération Internationale de Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) since its first Natation (FINA) since its first permanent office was permanent office was established in 1986, although established in 1986, although the Federation itself was the Federation itself was founded in London on July 19, founded in London on July 19, 1908. Now, at its current 1908. Now, at its current headquarters in Lausanne, headquarters in Lausanne, under the direction of an under the direction of an Executive Director, a Executive Director, a multinational, multilingual multinational, multilingual staff manages the staff manages the Federations’ core operations Federations’ core operations with regard to each FINA with regard to each FINA discipline, marketing and discipline, marketing and communication plans, anti-communication plans, anti-doping programmes and doping programmes and development policies.development policies.

Today swimming is a leading Today swimming is a leading sport not only in the Olympic sport not only in the Olympic Games (34 disciplines – Games (34 disciplines – second place after athletics) second place after athletics) but a major part of our lives. but a major part of our lives.

The first step to successThe first step to success

Swimming Swimming RulesRules The technical rules of The technical rules of

swimming are designed to swimming are designed to provide fair and equitable provide fair and equitable conditions of competition and conditions of competition and to promote uniformity in the to promote uniformity in the sport. Each swimming stroke sport. Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive an unfair competitive advantage over another advantage over another swimmer.swimmer.

Trained officials observe the Trained officials observe the swimmers during each event swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an swimmer commits an infraction of the rules that is infraction of the rules that is observed by an offical, a observed by an offical, a disqualification (DQ) will result. disqualification (DQ) will result. This means that the swimmer This means that the swimmer will not receive an official time will not receive an official time and will not be eligible for an and will not be eligible for an award in that event. award in that event.

A disqualification may result A disqualification may result from actions such as not from actions such as not getting to the starting blocks getting to the starting blocks on time, false starting, on time, false starting, performing strokes in an performing strokes in an illegal manner, or illegal manner, or unsportsman like conduct. unsportsman like conduct. 

DQs are also a result of DQs are also a result of technical rules violations. technical rules violations. They include but are not They include but are not

limited to:limited to:

FreestyleFreestyle:: Walking on the Walking on the bottom, pulling on the lane bottom, pulling on the lane rope, not touching the wall rope, not touching the wall on a turn, or not completing on a turn, or not completing the distance. the distance.

BackstrokeBackstroke:: Pulling or Pulling or kicking into the wall once a kicking into the wall once a swimmer has turned passed swimmer has turned passed the vertical onto the breast. the vertical onto the breast. Turning onto the breast Turning onto the breast before touching the wall with before touching the wall with the hand at the finish of the the hand at the finish of the race. race.

BreaststrokeBreaststroke:: An illegal kick An illegal kick such as flutter (freestyle), such as flutter (freestyle), dolphin (butterfly), or scissors dolphin (butterfly), or scissors (side stroke); not on the (side stroke); not on the breast; alternating breast; alternating movements of the arms; movements of the arms; taking two arm strokes or two taking two arm strokes or two leg kicks while the head is leg kicks while the head is under water; touching with under water; touching with only one hand at the turns or only one hand at the turns or finish. finish.

ButterflyButterfly:: Alternating Alternating movements of the arms or movements of the arms or legs; pushing the arms legs; pushing the arms forward under instead of forward under instead of over the water surface over the water surface (underwater recovery); a (underwater recovery); a breaststroke style of kick; breaststroke style of kick; touching with only one touching with only one hand at the turns or finish. hand at the turns or finish.

RULESRULES IN SWIMMING IN SWIMMING

In all swimming events, the individual or team with the fastest In all swimming events, the individual or team with the fastest time wins. time wins.

Freestyle Freestyle

Events: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m.Events: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m. The 800m event is only for women, while the 1,500m is only for The 800m event is only for women, while the 1,500m is only for

men.men.Freestyle is the quickest and most popular swimming style. Freestyle is the quickest and most popular swimming style. Technically, freestyle competitors may use whatever style they Technically, freestyle competitors may use whatever style they think best (except the medley style, in which athletes must use all think best (except the medley style, in which athletes must use all four styles). A common cause for disqualification is when the four styles). A common cause for disqualification is when the competitor, while swimming, touches the neighbouring lane or competitor, while swimming, touches the neighbouring lane or obstructs another competitor. obstructs another competitor.

BackstrokeBackstroke

Events: 100m, 200mEvents: 100m, 200m Backstroke resembles freestyle swimming as far as the Backstroke resembles freestyle swimming as far as the

alternating movements of arms and legs. When starting, alternating movements of arms and legs. When starting, competitors take their place in the swimming pool facing competitors take their place in the swimming pool facing the pool’s wall and holding the starting points’ handholds the pool’s wall and holding the starting points’ handholds with both hands. A common cause for disqualification is with both hands. A common cause for disqualification is crossing the 15 m line during the glide at the start or at crossing the 15 m line during the glide at the start or at the turn.the turn.

BreaststrokeBreaststroke

Events: 100m, 200mEvents: 100m, 200m This is a fairly complex swimming style, calling for perfect This is a fairly complex swimming style, calling for perfect

coordination of arm and leg movements. In direct contrast to coordination of arm and leg movements. In direct contrast to freestyle and backstroke, hand and legs must move freestyle and backstroke, hand and legs must move simultaneously. If the swimmer gets out of synch, he or she simultaneously. If the swimmer gets out of synch, he or she will be considered by the judges as swimming freestyle and will be considered by the judges as swimming freestyle and be disqualified. Another common cause of disqualification is if be disqualified. Another common cause of disqualification is if a competitor touches the wall with just one hand during the a competitor touches the wall with just one hand during the turn. turn.

ButterflyButterfly

Events: 100m, 200mEvents: 100m, 200m Butterfly is the most spectacular swimming style. The Butterfly is the most spectacular swimming style. The

athlete’s body moves in such a way that resembles the athlete’s body moves in such a way that resembles the movements of a dolphin. Their legs move simultaneously, movements of a dolphin. Their legs move simultaneously, while the whole body is used to propel the athlete forward. A while the whole body is used to propel the athlete forward. A common cause for disqualification is if the competitor touches common cause for disqualification is if the competitor touches the wall with one hand during the turn, or moves their legs the wall with one hand during the turn, or moves their legs contrary to the regulations. contrary to the regulations.

Individual medleyIndividual medley

Events: 200m, 400mEvents: 200m, 400m In medley individual events, the swimmer competes in every In medley individual events, the swimmer competes in every

swimming style, at equal distances. This event combines swimming style, at equal distances. This event combines technique, speed, and endurance. The sequence followed is: technique, speed, and endurance. The sequence followed is: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

RelaysRelays

Events: 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley, 4x200m freestyle.Events: 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley, 4x200m freestyle. Four swimmers from the same team compete in relays, using Four swimmers from the same team compete in relays, using

all four swimming styles, the sequence being: backstroke, all four swimming styles, the sequence being: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Relay changeovers are breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Relay changeovers are valid when the feet of the outgoing swimmer detach from the valid when the feet of the outgoing swimmer detach from the board at least 3/100 seconds after the fingers of the incoming board at least 3/100 seconds after the fingers of the incoming swimmer touch the wall. If the outgoing swimmer moves too swimmer touch the wall. If the outgoing swimmer moves too early, their team is disqualified. early, their team is disqualified.

Tanq BogomilovaTanq Bogomilova is a is a Bulgarian swimmerBulgarian swimmer. . She was She was born on born on 3030th of Juneth of June, , 19641964. . 1988. At the moment she is 1988. At the moment she is managing director of the managing director of the Bulgarian Federation of Bulgarian Federation of Swimming Sports. Her Swimming Sports. Her teacher was Vasil Stoqnovteacher was Vasil Stoqnov, , who has four world records. who has four world records. She is our only Olympic She is our only Olympic champion in swimmingchampion in swimming. . Tanq Tanq won a gold medal inwon a gold medal in 100 100m m breastbreast--stroke at the Olympics stroke at the Olympics in Suel. Due to that in Suel. Due to that achievement she was achievement she was declared as a sportswoman of declared as a sportswoman of the year, 1988.the year, 1988.

Bulgarian SwimmersBulgarian Swimmers

The Bulgarian swimmer The Bulgarian swimmer Peter StoichevPeter Stoichev won the won the start for the World Cup of swimming marathon which start for the World Cup of swimming marathon which

waswas 19 19 km long. The time of the winner iskm long. The time of the winner is 2 2 h h, 44 , 44 minmin, 30 , 30 secsec, , he overtake his rival Anton Sanachev he overtake his rival Anton Sanachev

(Russia) with 8 sec. With that victory Stoichev (Russia) with 8 sec. With that victory Stoichev remains on third place in the classification for the remains on third place in the classification for the

World Cup.World Cup.

Mihail Plamenov Mihail Plamenov AleksandrovAleksandrov is a Bulgarian is a Bulgarian swimmer who took part in the swimmer who took part in the Olympics games inOlympics games in 2004 2004 and and he is national record-holder in he is national record-holder in several disciplines. In the several disciplines. In the moment is a student in the moment is a student in the University in Evanston, Illinois, University in Evanston, Illinois, USA. In 2007 he won two USA. In 2007 he won two bronze medals on the bronze medals on the European Swimming European Swimming Championship in Hungary in Championship in Hungary in the disciplines 100 and 200 the disciplines 100 and 200 breast-strokes. In the semi-final breast-strokes. In the semi-final serial of 100m he made serial of 100m he made national record- 58.52 seconds. national record- 58.52 seconds. His achievement on 200m – His achievement on 200m – 2:06:91 is also a national 2:06:91 is also a national record.record.

Ekaterina Avramova is a Ekaterina Avramova is a Bulgarian swimmer, too. She Bulgarian swimmer, too. She was the 1st on the Balkaniada was the 1st on the Balkaniada in Athens in 2007. The in Athens in 2007. The discipline was 50m discipline was 50m

Swimming School ChampionshipSwimming School Championship