Swimmers can race alone or with a team. A team race is called a relay. The fastest time wins the race! Most people watch the sport during the Olympics. There are four strokes used in swim races. Freestyle is the fastest stroke. It is also called the front crawl. Swimmers swim the backstroke on their backs. Swimmers kick their legs like a frog for the breaststroke. For butterfly, swimmers kick their feet like a dolphin.
Swimmers use equipment to help them move quickly through the water. Swimsuits are lightweight and tight. A loose swimsuit would slow a swimmer down in the water. Swimmers also wear swim caps and googles. Swim caps hold back hair. Goggles allow swimmers to see underwater. Being able to see under water lets swimmers stay in their lanes. They also know when they reach the end of the pool.
Activities:
1. What are the four strokes used in swim races? Can you draw pictures to illustrate them? Have a try.
2. A rectangular Olympic swimming pool is 25 meters wide. Its length is twice its width. Find the pool’s perimeter and area. Then watch videos to enjoy a swimming song and an artistic swimming performance at London 2012 Olympic Games.
