Good luck British swimmers!

With a summer of sport fast approaching, here at H2O Swimming Pools we are most excited about the swimming events that will be held at the Olympics Aquatic Stadium at Barra in Brazil. Starting on the 5th of August, and running for 16 packed days, the Rio Olympics is the most highly anticipated televised event of the year. And with 34 swimming medals up for grabs, we have high hopes of bagging some for Britain.

Let’s dive in and give you some basic need-to-know facts about this year’s events and athletes.

THE EVENTS

The swimming debuted in the 1896 Olympics in Athens, and has been a key fixture of the summer games ever since. This year’s competition will feature all the old favourites, including freestyles, medleys, relays, butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke, along with the 10 km marathon. With 17 events each for male and female athletes, the swimming has always awarded a generous number of medals to its competitors. So who will claim them for Great Britain?

THE TEAM

The swimming world is not short of stars. US champion Michael Phelps is the unquestionable king of the pool, achieving a record-breaking 18 Olympic gold medals during his career.

But our swimming team also has its own stars. There is plenty of optimism and expectation surrounding the British swimming squad, after they topped the table in the 2014 European Championships, bringing home a haul of 24 medals in total, before going on to win a further five in the 2015 World Championships.

This summer, a 26-strong swimming team will head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the hope of claiming some more prizes to add to our historic collection of medals. In addition to our regular Olympians, there has also been an emergence of some promising new talent. So who are the GB ones to watch this year?

Adam Peaty – Stemming from his desire to “make Britain proud”, Peaty had certainly done just that, winning multiple medals and breaking the world record for the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Rio 2016 will be his Olympic debut.

Jazz Carlin – Carlin has earned herself 13 gold medals in the British, European, Commonwealth and World Championships. We hope she will continue this trend in her very first Olympics in Rio.

Francesca Halsall – A double Olympian, this summer’s competition will be Halsall’s third Olympic games. With 34 gold medals under her belt including a World Championship title, we hope this freestyle/medley veteran will keep up the good work.

Let’s wish good luck to our British swimmers in Brazil this summer!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

Swimming is a unique form of exercise, as it benefits multiple aspects of your physical health. The resistance of the water helps to tone your muscles including ones that are often neglected. The sport is also ideal for people who are injured, as the water supports the body and is gentle on the joints. Controlled breathing is required for this sport, teaching your body to use oxygen more efficiently; a helpful skill for those with breathing problems such as asthma. Plus, swimming is also a hugely enjoyable hobby that the whole family can enjoy together.

If this article has inspired you to get your goggles on and take the plunge, then look no further than H2O Swimming Pools. Contact our professional team today to discuss your pool requirements and join in the Rio fun at home.

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