How Many Olympic Swimming Events in 2024? Full List & Details

By Sarah Miller · June 22, 2030

As of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, there are 37 Olympic swimming events in total — 18 for men, 18 for women, and 1 mixed-gender event. These events span various strokes, distances, and relay formats, making swimming one of the most diverse and competitive disciplines at the Summer Olympics.

Overview of Olympic Swimming Events

Swimming has been a core sport in the modern Olympic Games since 1896. Over time, the number of events has expanded to promote gender equality and include more competitive formats. The current program features races across four main strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly, as well as individual medley and relays.

Types of Strokes and Distances

Freestyle: Includes 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m races (except where gender-specific distances differ)
Backstroke: 100m and 200m
Breaststroke: 100m and 200m
Butterfly: 100m and 200m
Individual Medley (IM): 200m and 400m (all strokes in one race)
Relay Events: 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, 4x100m medley
Mixed Relay: 4x100m medley relay (introduced in Tokyo 2020)

Men's and Women's Events Breakdown

The Olympic swimming program now offers equal opportunities for male and female athletes, with only slight differences in long-distance freestyle events prior to 2020. Since the addition of the women’s 1500m freestyle and men’s 800m freestyle in Tokyo 2020, both genders compete in identical individual distance lineups.

Event	Men	Women	Mixed
50m Freestyle	✓	✓
100m Freestyle	✓	✓
200m Freestyle	✓	✓
400m Freestyle	✓	✓
800m Freestyle	✓	✓
1500m Freestyle	✓	✓
100m Backstroke	✓	✓
200m Backstroke	✓	✓
100m Breaststroke	✓	✓
200m Breaststroke	✓	✓
100m Butterfly	✓	✓
200m Butterfly	✓	✓
200m IM	✓	✓
400m IM	✓	✓
4x100m Freestyle Relay	✓	✓
4x200m Freestyle Relay	✓	✓
4x100m Medley Relay	✓	✓
4x100m Mixed Medley Relay			✓

Table data source:1, 2

The table confirms full gender parity in individual and same-gender relay events, with both men and women competing in 18 events each. The inclusion of the mixed 4x100m medley relay in 2020 marked a historic shift toward team diversity and strategic lineup planning. This balanced structure reflects World Aquatics’ and the IOC’s commitment to inclusivity and competitive fairness.

Evolution of Olympic Swimming Events

Olympic swimming has evolved significantly over the decades. Early editions featured fewer events and no women’s competitions. The first women’s swimming events were introduced in 1912. Over time, new strokes, distances, and relay formats were added.

Key Milestones

1908: Introduction of standardized pool lengths and stroke regulations
1956: Addition of butterfly as a separate stroke
1996: Introduction of the 200m individual medley and 4x200m freestyle relay for women
2008: Addition of 10km open water marathon swimming
2020 (Tokyo): Debut of the 800m freestyle for men and 1500m freestyle for women, plus the mixed 4x100m medley relay

Open Water Swimming at the Olympics

In addition to pool events, the Olympic program includes two open water races: the men’s and women’s 10km marathon swims. These take place in natural bodies of water and test endurance, navigation, and tactical awareness.

10km Marathon Swim (Men)
10km Marathon Swim (Women)

While not part of the traditional pool lineup, these events count toward the overall swimming medal tally and are governed by World Aquatics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olympic Swimming Events

How many swimming events are in the Olympics in 2024?

There are 37 swimming events at the Paris 2024 Olympics: 18 for men, 18 for women, and 1 mixed relay event. This includes pool races from 50m to 1500m and two 10km open water marathons.

Why is there a mixed swimming event?

The mixed 4x100m medley relay was introduced to promote gender equality and team strategy. Teams can choose the order of male and female swimmers, adding a tactical dimension. It debuted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has since become a fan favorite.

Are Olympic swimming events the same for men and women?

Yes, since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, men and women compete in identical event programs, including the 800m and 1500m freestyle. This marks full gender parity in Olympic swimming, a milestone achieved after decades of advocacy.

What are the different strokes in Olympic swimming?

The four competitive strokes are freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Swimmers also compete in individual medleys (IM), which combine all four strokes in one race. Each stroke has specific technical rules enforced by World Aquatics.

Has the number of Olympic swimming events changed over time?

Yes, the number has steadily increased. In 1900, there were only 7 events. By 2024, there are 37. Major additions include women’s events starting in 1912, butterfly in 1956, breaststroke and IM events, open water in 2008, and the mixed medley relay in 2020.

Which country wins the most Olympic swimming medals?

The United States has historically dominated Olympic swimming, led by athletes like Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and Caeleb Dressel. Australia, Hungary, and China are also top contenders, especially in sprint and technical events.