The History of Swimming

Beginning as a recreational sport in prehistoric times, swimming has grown from a ritualistic activity in ancient Egypt to a worldwide Olympic sport. In many civilizations, drawings were found of people swimming. The pictures depicted strokes like the breaststroke and dog paddle. Ancient societies including Minoans, Babylonians, Egyptians, and the Assyrians had cave wall drawings and clay seals portraying swimmers. In the Indian palace called Mohenjo Daro, a swimming pool (measuring 30m by 60m) can be found.

In the early Olympics, the Greek did not include swimming, but pools were often built, and the sport was common recreationally. In fact, a common insult was to say that someone doesn’t know how to run or swim. In Japan, swimming was an art of the Samurai. The first known swimming races were under the rule of emperor Suigui, in 36 B.C.

As the world grew into the Middle Ages, knights generally were required to learn to swim in full armor. Following this, swimming became less popular and often disrespected. Swimming was done with little clothing, and the growing conservativeness of the people made it inappropriate. A 16th century German court document made nude public swimming illegal for children.

However, swimming certainly did not end entirely. Leonardo da Vinci created drawings of early lifebelts. A German man named Nicolas Wynman wrote the first book on swimming, called Colymbetes. His ideals were not exercise, but rather prevention of drowning. His book taught the breaststroke and also the use of flotation devices, like cow bladders filled with air, and belts made of cork.

The first national swimming organization was established in Japan. In 1603 Emperor Go-Yozei insisted that school children learn to swim. After several more historical breakthroughs, swimming became more competitive, and similar to ways today.