Swimming has been an Olympic sport since the first iteration of the Games back in 1896, but the aquatic events have not always looked the same as they do today.
Aside from the obvious changes like the switch from open water to pools and the inclusion of female swimmers, there was one event in the early years of the Olympics that is often forgotten about these days: the 200-meter obstacle race.
The 200 obstacle event was only featured in one Olympics, making its first and last appearance at the 1900 Games, and has all but fallen into obscurity by now.
The swimming event saw competitors tackle three obstacles spaced out along the course; they first had to climb over a pole, then proceeded to climb over a row of boats before swimming under another row of boats.
Conducted in a semifinal and final format over two days, the race took place in the Seine River, meaning competitors had to contend with a strong current as an unofficial fourth obstacle. The only competitors in the field at the 1900 Olympics were men, as women did not begin swimming at the Olympics until 1912.
Only 12 individuals competed in the event, with Australia’s Frederick Lane taking home the gold medal in a time of 2:38.40.
The event was discontinued after the Paris Games and is one of four swimming events to be canceled after only one appearance, along with the 100-meter swim for sailors, the underwater swim and the plunge for distance.
This year they’re introducing “Plunge for E. Coli” instead.
Go Freddie! Our first Aussie swim champ!
A modern version of this would be a great way to mix up swimming at the Olympics in the future.
We have 9 races in the 100-200 meter distance where everyone races from start to finish the get their hand on the wall first. Might be blasphemy here, but that’s repetitive, adds to medal inflation, and dwindles the competition.
If it’s gonna have 15 individual events at the Olympics, swimming should have the equivalent of the hurdles or some other element to add additional challenges in competition.
Olympic Swimming already has a loaded schedule. If we are to add more events, some existing events are going to have to be dropped. Do you have certain events in mind we should drop?
I do but they’d be controversial.
Let’s hear it!
Eliminate every current event that’s not freestyle. Freestyle isn’t even a real stroke event, it’s just unrestricted swimming besides from the 15m mark for underwaters.
That leaves us with 50-100-200-400-800-1500-10k, plus the two freestyle relays. 9 pure racing events just like track has 11 (they should have 10 though since race-walking is dumb).
Then add obstacle events that present a different challenge, maybe a 50m underwater event.
I realize that what I’m proposing would completely change the sport, but I’m not saying that these changes take place overnight, I know that at least a full Olympic cycle of notice should be given. But that’s where I think the sport should eventually head towards.
How many people would… Read more »
“Plunge for Distance” was also featured in early collegiate swim meets, as well as the final event, a water polo game
since we’re back in paris, sounds like the perfect time to bring it back.
Who would be the gold medalist in 2024 Paris if this was still an event? My choice would be Dressel for men, given he is likely one of the strongest and most explosive swimmers in the weight room. For women, Hali Flickinger. She was a 200/400 swimmer and apparently she was a beast in the weight room.