About Swimming

The English are considered the first modern society to develop swimming as a sport.  By 1847 regular swimming competitions were being held in London's six artificial pools, organized by the National Swimming Society in England.

As the sport grew in popularity, more pools were built and when the Amateur Swimming Association was formed in 1880, it involved over 300 clubs.

In 1896 swimming became an Olympic sport for men with the 100m and 1500m freestyle competitions held in open water.  As the sport gained popularity, more freestyle events were added, followed by the backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley.

Click here to see the history of the ASA.