Swimming has been part of the modern olympics games since 1896, when races were held in the in Greece. Since 1908, swimming races have been held in pools. Swimming was for men only until women's competitions in the olympics were added in 1912.

Individual races at the olympics include 100 and 200-meter lengths in the backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Also in the olympics are the 50, 100, 200, 400 and 1,500 meter freestyle.

Synchronized swimming was added to the olympics in 1984. Swimmers perform dancelike patterns both on the surface and underwater to a musical accompaniment at the olympics.

For more olympics information, go to http://www.summer-winter-olympics-games.com.