Tracking Olympic Swimmers Progress
Welcome to our dedicated page for Tracking Olympic Swimmers Progress. This analytical segment chronicles the paradigm-shifting performances in Olympic swimming, commencing with Sydney 2000 through to Tokyo 2020 (2021).
The Tracking Olympic Swimmers Progress showcases the times required to make each pivotal leap in competition, from reaching semi-finals to finals, securing a spot on the podium, and, ultimately, winning gold. As we delve deeper into this data, the Olympic Swimming Progressions elucidates the increasingly demanding performance criteria that separates swimmers from different echelons.
The Tracking Olympic Swimmers Progress reveals patterns that underline the evolution of the sport. Take, for instance, the diminishing time differences between medal-winning performances across different Olympic events. These narrowing margins not only highlight the growing competitiveness but also indicate how advancements in training, nutrition, and technology have leveled the playing field.
In the Swimming Progressions, we see an intriguing trend of champions outperforming their predecessors. The reduction in gold medal-winning times over the years provides evidence of the incremental improvements in athletic performance, painting a picture of the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the sport.
Our Tracking Olympic Swimming Progress offers more than a retrospective glance. It serves as an analytical tool for understanding performance trends and predicting future standards. The rate of progression shown in this data suggests an exciting future for swimming, with swimmers continuously pushing the boundaries of human potential.
Ultimately, the Swimming Progressions is a testament to the sport’s progress. It illuminates the dedication and commitment required to compete at the highest level. For aspiring athletes, the Olympic Swimming Progressions serves as a valuable benchmark, representing the standards they will need to meet and surpass to become the champions of tomorrow.
Men's 50m Freestyle | Women's 50m Freestyle | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
22.25 | 21.79 | 21.57 | 21.07 | Tokyo 2020* | 23.81 | 24.21 | 24.41 | 24.98 | |
22.18 | 22.08 | 21.49 | 21.40 | Rio 2016 | 24.07 | 24.11 | 24.69 | 25.31 | |
22.30 | 21.98 | 21.59 | 21.34 | London 2012 | 24.05 | 24.39 | 24.69 | 25.28 | |
22.15 | 21.72 | 21.49 | 21.30 | Beijing 2008 | 24.06 | 24.17 | 24.77 | 25.19 | |
22.63 | 22.37 | 22.02 | 21.93 | Athens 2004 | 24.58 | 24.91 | 25.20 | 25.83 | |
22.89 | 22.41 | 22.03 | 21.98 | Sydney 2000 | 24.32 | 24.63 | 25.65 | 25.95 | |
Men's 100m Freestyle | Women's 100m Freestyle | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
48.53 | 48.10 | 47.44 | 47.02 | Tokyo 2020* | 51.96 | 52.52 | 53.23 | 54.86 | |
48.70 | 48.41 | 47.85 | 47.58 | Rio 2016 | 52.70 | 52.99 | 53.36 | 54.59 | |
49.07 | 48.44 | 47.80 | 47.52 | London 2012 | 53.00 | 53.38 | 54.02 | 54.59 | |
49.58 | 48.33 | 47.67 | 47.21 | Beijing 2008 | 53.12 | 53.39 | 54.29 | 55.36 | |
49.88 | 49.30 | 48.56 | 48.17 | Athens 2004 | 53.84 | 54.40 | 55.24 | 56.03 | |
49.93 | 49.44 | 48.73 | 48.30 | Sydney 2000 | 53.83 | 54.43 | 55.58 | 56.40 | |
Men's 200m Freestyle | Women's 200m Freestyle | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champ | Champ | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
1:47.62 | 1:45.78 | 1:44.66 | 1:44.22 | Tokyo 2020* | 1:53.50 | 1:54.70 | 1:56.39 | 1:59.14 | |
1:48.00 | 1:45.91 | 1:45.23 | 1:44.65 | Rio 2016 | 1:53.73 | 1:54.92 | 1:56.29 | 1:57.82 | |
1:48.26 | 1:47.75 | 1:44.93 | 1:43.14 | London 2012 | 1:53.61 | 1:55.81 | 1:57.68 | 1:59.62 | |
1:48.71 | 1:47.47 | 1:45.14 | 1:42.96 | Beijing 2008 | 1:54.82 | 1:55.05 | 1:57.83 | 1:59.41 | |
1:51.35 | 1:48.40 | 1:45.32 | 1:44.71 | Athens 2004 | 1:58.03 | 1:58.45 | 1:59.20 | 2:01.06 | |
1:50.56 | 1:49.46 | 1:46.65 | 1:45.35 | Sydney 2000 | 1:58.24 | 1:58.81 | 1:59.55 | 2:03.34 | |
Men's 400m Freestyle | Women's 400m Freestyle | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
3:45.39 | 3:43.94 | 3:43.36 | Tokyo 2020* | 3:56.69 | 4:01.08 | 4:08.01 | |||
3:49.07 | 3:43.49 | 3:41.55 | Rio 2016 | 3:56.46 | 4:01.92 | 4:06.98 | |||
3:49.25 | 3:44.69 | 3:40.14 | London 2012 | 4:01.45 | 4:03.01 | 4:06.25 | |||
3:48.29 | 3:42.78 | 3:41.86 | Beijing 2008 | 4:03.22 | 4:03.52 | 4:11.26 | |||
3:48.96 | 3:44.11 | 3:43.10 | Athens 2004 | 4:05.34 | 4:06.19 | 4:11.35 | |||
3:48.52 | 3:47.00 | 3:40.59 | Sydney 2000 | 4:05.80 | 4:07.83 | 4:13.11 | |||
Men's 800m Freestyle | Women's 800m Freestyle | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
- | 7:53.31 | 7:42.33 | 7:41.87 | Tokyo 2020* | 8:12.57 | 8:18.35 | 8:26.30 | ||
Rio 2016 | 8:04.79 | 8:16.37 | 8:27.75 | ||||||
London 2012 | 8:14.63 | 8:20.32 | 8:29.28 | ||||||
Beijing 2008 | 8:14.10 | 8:23.03 | 8:32.35 | ||||||
Athens 2004 | 8:24.54 | 8:26.61 | 8:37.02 | ||||||
Sydney 2000 | 8:19.67 | 8:24.29 | 8:37.39 | ||||||
Men's 1500m Freestyle | Women's 1500m Freestyle | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
- | 15:04.26 | 14:40.91 | 14:39.65 | Tokyo 2020* | 15:37.34 | 15:42.91 | 16:05.81 | ||
15:02.66 | 14:40.86 | 14:34.57 | Rio 2016 | ||||||
15:00.76 | 14:40.31 | 14:31.02 | London 2012 | ||||||
15:05.12 | 14:42.69 | 14:40.84 | Beijing 2008 | ||||||
15:13.66 | 14:45.95 | 14:43.40 | Athens 2004 | ||||||
15:19.87 | 14:56.59 | 14:48.33 | Sydney 2000 | ||||||
Men's 100m Backstroke | Women's 100m Backstroke | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
53.80 | 52.95 | 52.19 | 51.98 | Tokyo 2020* | 57.47 | 58.05 | 59.53 | 1:00.49 | |
54.40 | 53.50 | 52.40 | 51.97 | Rio 2016 | 58.45 | 58.76 | 59.23 | 1:01.44 | |
54.48 | 53.55 | 52.97 | 52.16 | London 2012 | 58.33 | 58.83 | 1:00.50 | 1:00.57 | |
54.93 | 53.99 | 53.18 | 52.54 | Beijing 2008 | 58.96 | 59.34 | 1:00.18 | 1:01.45 | |
56.15 | 55.27 | 54.36 | 54.06 | Athens 2004 | 1:00.37 | 1:00.88 | 1:01.76 | 1:02.48 | |
56.34 | 55.74 | 54.82 | 53.72 | Sydney 2000 | 1:00.21 | 1:00.89 | 1:02.02 | 1:03.31 | |
Men's 200m Backstroke | Women's 200m Backstroke | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
1:59.36 | 1:59.06 | 1:54.72 | 1:53.27 | Tokyo 2020* | 2:04.68 | 2:06.17 | 2:08.48 | 2:12.98 | |
1:59.08 | 1:56.36 | 1:53.97 | 1:53.62 | Rio 2016 | 2:05.99 | 2:07.54 | 2:09.44 | 2:10.15 | |
1:58.99 | 1:58.02 | 1:53.94 | 1:53.41 | London 2012 | 2:04.06 | 2:06.55 | 2:09.86 | 2:11.42 | |
1:59.87 | 1:57.00 | 1:54.93 | 1:53.94 | Beijing 2008 | 2:05.24 | 2:07.13 | 2:10.12 | 2:12.46 | |
2:00.83 | 2:00.06 | 1:57.56 | 1:54.95 | Athens 2004 | 2:09.19 | 2:09.88 | 2:12.90 | 2:15.69 | |
2:03.80 | 1:59.38 | 1:57.59 | 1:56.76 | Sydney 2000 | 2:08.16 | 2:11.05 | 2:14.57 | 2:15.11 | |
Men's 100m Breaststroke | Women's 100m Breaststroke | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
59.93 | 59.36 | 58.33 | 57.37 | Tokyo 2020* | 1:04.95 | 1:05.54 | 1:06.94 | 1:07.58 | |
1:00.81 | 59.95 | 58.87 | 57.13 | Rio 2016 | 1:04.93 | 1:05.69 | 1:08.10 | 1:07.55 | |
1:00.16 | 1:00.84 | 59.49 | 58.46 | London 2012 | 1:05.47 | 1:06.46 | 1:07.55 | 1:08.26 | |
1:00.92 | 1:00.24 | 59.37 | 58.91 | Beijing 2008 | 1:05.17 | 1:07.34 | 1:08.43 | 1:09.56 | |
1:02.36 | 1:02.42 | 1:00.88 | 1:00.08 | Athens 2004 | 1:06.64 | 1:07.16 | 1:08.19 | 1:10.84 | |
1:02.89 | 1:01.88 | 1:00.91 | 1:00.46 | Sydney 2000 | 1:07.05 | 1:07.55 | 1:09.86 | 1:10.66 | |
Men's 200m Breaststroke | Women's 200m Breaststroke | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
2:10.69 | 2:08.88 | 2:07.13 | 2:06.38 | Tokyo 2020* | 2:18.95 | 2:20.84 | 2:24.57 | 2:27.56 | |
2:12.99 | 2:08.34 | 2:07.70 | 2:07.46 | Rio 2016 | 2:20.30 | 2:22.28 | 2:23.74 | 2:26.80 | |
2:11.71 | 2:09.44 | 2:08.29 | 2:07.28 | London 2012 | 2:19.59 | 2:20.92 | 2:26.00 | 2:28.74 | |
2:12.07 | 2:11.48 | 2:08.94 | 2:07.64 | Beijing 2008 | 2:20.22 | 2:22.05 | 2:25.23 | 2:29.64 | |
2:15.91 | 2:11.95 | 2:10.87 | 2:09.44 | Athens 2004 | 2:23.37 | 2:25.82 | 2:26.39 | 2:31.77 | |
2:16.90 | 2:14.00 | 2:12.73 | 2:10.87 | Sydney 2000 | 2:24.35 | 2:25.35 | 2:27.33 | 2:31.71 | |
Men's 100m Butterfly | Women's 100m Butterfly | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
52.27 | 51.49 | 50.74 | 49.45 | Tokyo 2020* | 55.59 | 55.72 | 57.05 | 58.10 | |
52.50 | 51.84 | 51.14 | 50.39 | Rio 2016 | 55.48 | 56.63 | 57.17 | 58.65 | |
52.71 | 52.05 | 51.44 | 51.21 | London 2012 | 55.98 | 56.94 | 57.76 | 59.22 | |
52.94 | 51.86 | 51.12 | 50.58 | Beijing 2008 | 56.73 | 57.25 | 58.54 | 59.29 | |
53.12 | 52.56 | 51.36 | 51.25 | Athens 2004 | 57.72 | 57.99 | 59.83 | 59.79 | |
53.81 | 53.13 | 52.22 | 52.00 | Sydney 2000 | 56.61 | 58.43 | 59.43 | 1:00.40 | |
Men's 200m Butterfly | Women's 200m Butterfly | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
1:56.67 | 1:55.88 | 1:54.45 | 1:51.25 | Tokyo 2020* | 2:03.86 | 2:05.30 | 2:09.48 | 2:16.38 | |
1:57.62 | 1:57.04 | 1:53.62 | 1:53.36 | Rio 2016 | 2:04.85 | 2:05.20 | 2:07.87 | 2:09.95 | |
1:58.56 | 1:55.18 | 1:53.21 | 1:52.96 | London 2012 | 2:04.06 | 2:05.48 | 2:07.77 | 2:13.09 | |
1:57.48 | 1:55.14 | 1:52.97 | 1:52.03 | Beijing 2008 | 2:04.18 | 2:06.26 | 2:08.23 | 2:11.74 | |
1:59.78 | 1:57.48 | 1:55.52 | 1:54.04 | Athens 2004 | 2:06.05 | 2:08.04 | 2:10.58 | 2:13.41 | |
1:59.03 | 1:58.39 | 1:56.17 | 1:55.35 | Sydney 2000 | 2:05.88 | 2:07.12 | 2:10.72 | 2:11.83 | |
Men's 200m Individual Medley | Women's 200m Individual Medley | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
2:00.21 | 1:57.70 | 1:56.17 | 1:55.00 | Tokyo 2020* | 2:08.52 | 2:09.04 | 2:12.86 | 2:12.85 | |
2:00.81 | 1:58.54 | 1:57.05 | 1:54.66 | Rio 2016 | 2:06.58 | 2:08.79 | 2:13.56 | 2:13.33 | |
2:01.58 | 1:59.10 | 1:56.22 | 1:54.27 | London 2012 | 2:07.57 | 2:08.95 | 2:14.19 | 2:15.12 | |
2:00.98 | 2:00.76 | 1:56.53 | 1:54.23 | Beijing 2008 | 2:08.45 | 2:10.34 | 2:13.36 | 2:14.14 | |
2:03.85 | 2:02.16 | 1:58.80 | 1:57.14 | Athens 2004 | 2:11.14 | 2:12.72 | 2:15.40 | 2:17.41 | |
2:03.90 | 2:02.49 | 2:00.87 | 1:58.98 | Sydney 2000 | 2:10.68 | 2:13.32 | 2:15.64 | 2:18.08 | |
Men's 400m Individual Medley | Women's 400m Individual Medley | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
4:11.32 | 4:10.38 | 4:09.42 | Tokyo 2020* | 4:32.08 | 4:34.90 | 4:40.65 | |||
4:16.58 | 4:09.71 | 4:06.05 | Rio 2016 | 4:26.36 | 4:32.39 | 0:38.06 | |||
4:14.89 | 4:08.94 | 4:05.18 | London 2012 | 4:28.43 | 4:32.91 | 4:35.62 | |||
4:15.40 | 4:08.09 | 4:03.84 | Beijing 2008 | 4:29.45 | 4:31.71 | 4:42.13 | |||
4:20.08 | 4:12.15 | 4:08.26 | Athens 2004 | 4:34.83 | 4:37.51 | 4:50.85 | |||
4:20.93 | 4:15.33 | 4:11.76 | Sydney 2000 | 4:33.59 | 4:37.18 | 4:45.99 | |||
Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay | Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
3:32.42 | 3:29.17 | 3:26.78 | Tokyo 2020* | 3:51.60 | 3:52.50 | 3:58.12 | |||
3:33.50 | 3:29.93 | 3:27.95 | Rio 2016 | 3:53.13 | 3:55.01 | 3:59.50 | |||
3:34.19 | 3:31.58 | 3:29.35 | London 2012 | 3:52.05 | 3:55.73 | 3:59.46 | |||
3:33.70 | 3:31.18 | 3:29.34 | Beijing 2008 | 3:52.69 | 3:56.11 | 4:01.35 | |||
3:37.77 | 3:35.22 | 3:30.68 | Athens 2004 | 3:57.32 | 3:59.12 | 4:07.61 | |||
3:40.19 | 3:35.88 | 3:33.73 | Sydney 2000 | 3:58.30 | 4:04.16 | 4:07.83 | |||
Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay | Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
3:13.41 | 3:10.22 | 3:08.97 | Tokyo 2020* | 3:29.69 | 3:32.81 | 3:35.70 | |||
3:14.48 | 3:11.37 | 3:09.92 | Rio 2016 | 3:30.65 | 3:32.89 | 3:37.78 | |||
3:14.40 | 3:11.41 | 3:09.93 | London 2012 | 3:33.15 | 3:34.24 | 3:37.96 | |||
3:12.97 | 3:09.91 | 3:08.24 | Beijing 2008 | 3:33.76 | 3:35.05 | 3:38.32 | |||
3:17.18 | 3:14.62 | 3:13.17 | Athens 2004 | 3:35.94 | 3:37.59 | 3:42.90 | |||
3:21.00 | 3:17.40 | 3:13.67 | Sydney 2000 | 3:36.61 | 3:40.30 | 3:44.49 | |||
Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay | Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay | ||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | Champion | Medalist | Finalist | Semi Finalist | ||
7:08.22 | 7:01.84 | 6:58.58 | Tokyo 2020* | 7:40.33 | 7:41.29 | 7:58.15 | |||
7:11.64 | 7:03.50 | 7:00.66 | Rio 2016 | 7:43.03 | 7:45.39 | 7:56.76 | |||
7:13.66 | 7:06.30 | 6:59.70 | London 2012 | 7:42.92 | 7:47.49 | 7:56.73 | |||
7:13.02 | 7:04.98 | 6:58.56 | Beijing 2008 | 7:44.31 | 7:46.33 | 7:59.83 | |||
7:23.02 | 7:11.83 | 7:07.33 | Athens 2004 | 7:53.42 | 7:57.35 | 8:08.34 | |||
7:24.37 | 7:12.70 | 7:07.05 | Sydney 2000 | 7:57.80 | 7:58.64 | 8:05.99 | |||
Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay | |||||||||
Semi Finalist | Finalist | Medalist | Champion | ||||||
3:44.77 | 3:38.95 | 3:37.58 | Tokyo 2020* | (*2021) |
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Note: Update Tracking Olympic Swimmers Progress June 2023