Swimming has been recorded since prehistoric times; the earliest recording of swimming dates back to Stone Age paintings from around 7,000 years ago. In 1578, Nikolaus Wynmann, a German professor of languages, wrote the first swimming book. Swimming was part of the first modern Olympic games in 1896 in Athens.

From early Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations, swimming techniques and purposes evolved through time, eventually becoming an established sport. 🚀 Rise to Prominence: The formation of swimming clubs in the 19th century and the inclusion of swimming in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 contributed to the sport’s growing popularity.

The activity was practised as early as 2500 BC, as indicated by ancient Egyptian clay seals. Cave paintings from the Stone Age depict individuals swimming, and even the Bible has references to it also. Ancient civilisations in Greece and Rome built dedicated pools and encouraged people to develop it as a useful skill.

Swimming was used to find food, travel from place to place and bathing. Swimming was also used as an exercise activity throughout the ancient world. Some of the first records of organized swimming trace back to Ancient Egypt and the year 2500 B.C. Swimming pools were used in Ancient Greece around 800 B.C. for bathing and exercise.

2500 BC: The first organized swimming occurs in Ancient Egypt. 800 BC: The Ancient Greeks use swimming pools for bathing and exercise. 100 BC: The Ancient Romans use swimming pools and bathhouses for communal recreation. 1830s: Swimming competitions begin to be held in Britain. 1837: The National Swimming Society is formed in Britain.