Photos Of Swimmers

Backstroke or back: competitors must swim in the backstroke style, which is similar to the front crawl, except on the back. Kicking is done by alternating both feet continuously. The arms pull one at a time in a windmill motion on the side of the body. At the end walls, flip turns are permitted (the swimmer is to turn on to his/her front before performing the freestyle flip turn), and a two-hand touch is not necessary. Typical distances include 50, 100, 200 meters or yards, depending on the pool. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard backstroke races.
Breaststroke or breast: competitors must swim in the breaststroke style, where the swimmer kicks legs out (much like a frog, but more whip like and with the knees staying closely together). The hands meanwhile scoop the water in towards the chest and are then thrust forward in front of the body just before the kick is repeated. The breath is started as the hands pull the water from full extension, the head bobs up, and then put back down as the arms thrust forward. One underwater "pull-out" is permitted for the start and after every end wall, with, in order: streamline glide, one fully extended pull, one breaststroke kick while bringing the hands back forward. This pullout is done under water without a breath. Both hands must touch the wall simultaneously at every turn like in the butterfly modality. After the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, there was an adjustment made to the underwater "pull-out", allowing a single downward dolphin kick to be performed simultaneously with the arm pull. Typical distances include 50, 100, 200 meters or yards. Novice swimmers may compete in 25 meter or yard breaststroke races.