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Sprints in the Olympics have traditionally been 100 meters or 2 lengths of an Olympic-sized pool. That is why the sprint for most strokes is 100 meters, not 50. The 50 meter race was only introduced in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. So it can be viewed as a halved version of a traditional sprint.
There actually was a 50 yard race in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics. Swimmers swam the race in an articifial lake in Forest Park. Converting 50 yards to meters, we find that the race was only 45.72 meters. Hungarian swimmer, Zoltan Halmaj, won the race after a re-swim due to a contested outcome the first time the race was swum. According to accounts, the first race was actually not that close, but, after a fight ensued over the outcome, the re-swim was suggested. Halmaj won both times. That was the last time a race of 50 yards or meters was swum in an Olympics until it was reintroduced in 1988.
At the time of the reintroduction, the 50 was really just a fun experiment. Since it is only 1 lap of the pool, it is essentially a mad dash from one side to the other. Swimmers in this ultra short event often differ in times by only hundredths of a second. This makes it among the most exciting events in all of swimming. Almost without fail, the race is wildly close.
It should also be noted that the term freestyle means that swimmers can actually swim any stroke they want. So a swimmer could theoretically swim butterfly or backstroke instead of crawl. However, most swimmers choose the fastest stroke: the crawl.
Another important note is that many international meets, such as FINA World Aquatics Championships and FINA Short Course World Championships (also called FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), do have 50 meter butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke events.
What else can I help you with?
The events included in the first olympic games were?
The only event included in the first Olympic games was the "stade", a run of about 192 meters. hope that helped!
Is snowboard freestyle an Olympic sport?
Freestyle snowboarding is an Olympic sport. Snowboarding is only in the winter Olympics, which run every 4 years, the last year the Olympics ran was 2012.
Who is the only African who won the Olympic 100 meters title?
Reggie Walker of South Africa won gold in the 100 meters at the 1908 Games in London.
Who won the 1964 Olympics in womens' 50 yard freestyle?
there wasn't a 50 meter freestyle event in the 1964 Olympics. Only 100 meters.
How many events are there in free stylein swimming competition?
Freestyle event distances in the Olympics are: 50 meters 100 meters 200 meters 400 meters 800 meters (women only) 1,500 meters (men only)
Is swimming part of the 2010 winter olympic games?
No, swimming is only in the Summer Olympic Games
What women was aloud in the real ancient Olympics the ancient olympic games?
No, there was only olympic games for men in ancient olympic history
How many times have the Olympic Games been held in Rome?
Rome has hosted the Olympic Games only once. That was in 1960.
How many medals has betty cuthbert won?
The great Betty Cuthbert won 4 Olympic medals, all gold. She won gold in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and 4x100 meter relay at the 1956 Games in Melbourne and in 400 meter run at the 1964 Games in Tokyo. She is the only athlete to win gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters in Olympic history.
How many gold medals has Roger Federer won at the Olympics?
4.Swimmer Murray Rose of Australia won gold in men's 400 meter freestyle, men's 1500 meter freestyle, and men's 4x200 meter freestyle relay at the 1956 Games in Melbourne and in men's 400 meter freestyle at the 1960 Games in Rome.He also won silver in men's 1500 meter freestyle and bronze in men's 4x200 meter freestyle relay at the 1960 Games in Rome.
Which group of people were not allowed to attend the Olympic games?
Only women were not allowed to attend the Olympic games. I had to do this question for my history homework.
Who was the only athlete to win the Olympic marathon twice and in successive Olympic games?
Abebe Bikila.
