Running Olympics. Speed skating - distances and competitions at the ISU championships. Competition program and calendar

History of running

The first Olympic competitions BC were held only in running. According to legend, the first Olympic Games were organized by Hercules in 1210 BC. e. From 776 BC e. records were kept of the games of the Olympiad, which were held only in running for one stage (192 m). In 724 BC. e. Added competition in two stages. In 720 BC. e. a seven-stage run was added and, as an example to the winner, athletes began to compete naked, this was facilitated by the culture of society that extolled tanned athletic bodies. Women of childbearing age were not allowed to play, only men competed in the race.

Running and running competitions are known in the history of a "reasonable" person at all times, on all continents, all peoples, starting from a "skillful" person. These are the physical exercises that were necessary for girls ancient greece for the birth of healthy children. (Aristotle wrote about this, criticizing legislation that does not oblige parents to play sports with girls)

Running is the simplest, most accessible and physiological sport. It would seem that it could be easier - put on a sports uniform, sneakers, go to the park or the stadium and run to your health. However, such a simple approach often turns into overwork, injury and frustration for beginners.

Gordon Pirie

For productive classes, not only the right equipment is necessary, but also some technical preparedness. So, the running technique is of great importance, the correct calculation of the training intensity, the frequency of classes, proper nutrition and even shoes.

Runners' Success Secrets

Do you want to run efficiently, feel the joy of training, avoid injuries? All the wisdom of running classes will be revealed to you by a famous athlete Gordon Peary in his book Run Fast and Injury Free. The multiple British champion at various running distances, Olympic medalist and famous record holder shares his sports experience, recommendations for building a training program, the secrets of preparing and restoring the body, the nuances of running techniques and competitive strategies.

This book will be useful not only for novice runners, but also for professional athletes who want to eliminate obstacles on the way to victories, increase their level of training and achieve high results.

Way to success

Gordon Peary, born in 1931 in Britain, began his sports career in 1948. That year, Emil Zatopek won the London Olympics. It was his achievements that prompted Gordon Peary to start active running training. And the result was not long in coming.

Gordon Peary

The beginning of the 50s was marked for Piri by a whole series of victories and records. In 1951, at a distance of 6 miles, he set a record, which he himself updated over the next two years, twice (28 minutes, 19.4 seconds).

The next "fruitful" year for success in Gordon Peary's career was 1953. The National Cross Country Championship brought him the title of winner, and records at distances of 5000 meters (14 min 02.6 sec) and 10000 meters (result of 29 min 17.2 sec). In addition, he became the winner and record holder in the 3-mile run, and also set a world record in the 4x1500-meter relay. This was followed by a victory in the 1 mile run, where Gordon beat the famous American athlete Wes Santee with a time of 4:06.8, demonstrating the breadth of his range of running abilities. By the way, Peary became the winner of the British National Cross Country Championship three times.

Strong rivals - a reason to work on yourself

The year 1956 was successful, but difficult for Gordon Pirie. In the race, held on June 19 in Bergen, Peary set a new world record in the 5000 meters, covering this distance in 13 minutes 36.8 seconds. At the same time, he improved his previous record by 25 seconds and overtook his main rival, the famous Vladimir Kuts, by 3 seconds. And three days later a new victory followed - Piri ran 3000 meters in 7 minutes 55.6 seconds.

Gordon Peary

The confrontation between Vladimir Kuts and Gordon Peary continued at the Olympic Games in Melbourne. In the 10,000 meters, Pirie and Kutz initially set a very high pace, but several powerful snatches exhausted the British athlete too much, as a result of which Kutz climbed to the top of the podium with a time of 28:45.6. Piri came only eighth. But the failure did not break the runner.

Piri took into account his mistakes and after five days in the race for 5000 meters he chose a different tactic. True, the championship again remained with Kuts (as well as another Olympic record - 13 minutes 39.86 seconds). But Gordon came in second with a time of 13:50.78.

Sports centenarian

Gordon Peary is a real long-liver in sports. 13 years into his career, he was still setting records. In 1961, Gordon Peary celebrated his decade of achievement in the 3-mile run with a new British record - 3 miles in 13 minutes 16.4 seconds.

Sports centenarian

Leaving professional sports did not force him to give up running. For a long time he participated in amateur races, continued daily classes. For many famous athletes, Piri became a coach and mentor.

His career lasted a total of about 45 years and ended, as befits a true athlete, with a record. During his life, he ran 240,000 miles, hitting the pages of the Guinness Book of Records with this achievement.

Gordon Peary died of cancer in 1991. But his book, Run Fast and Injury Free, remains one of the best running guides for both amateur and professional athletes to this day.

Gordon Peary's rules of running

running with correct technique cannot cause injury
running is a sequence of jumps landing on the front of the foot, the leg is bent at the knee
when landing, the foot must be directly under the center of gravity of the body
everything you put on your body impairs your running technique
the speed at which you train will be your running speed
walking harms running
frequency of running steps - from 3 to 5 per second
arm strength and leg strength should be proportional
proper posture is critical for running, do not lean forward
speed destroys stamina, stamina destroys speed
There is only one training program for every runner – one that reflects their unique characteristics.
static flexibility exercises lead to injury
mouth breathing is a must as running is an aerobic exercise

Steeplechase (steeplechase) as a form of athletics originated in England. The first competitions were held in 1837 in Rugby. Obstacle racing made its debut at the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris. Medals were raffled off at two distances - 2500 m (champion D. Orton(Canada) - 7.34,4 ) and 4000 m ( D. Rimmer(United Kingdom) - 12.58,4 ). 3000 m hurdles ran for the first time at the VII Olympic Games in Antwerp (Belgium), where Olympic champion became an Englishman P.Hodge (10.04,0 ). For a long time Finnish runners excelled in steeplechase. First champion to run faster than 10 minutes ( 9.54,2 ), in 1922 became P. Nurmi. At the last four pre-war games (from 1924 to 1936), Finnish steeplechasers won 9 medals out of 12. Olympic champions were V.Rittola, T.Loukola and V.Iso-Hollo(twice). However, the Swede was the first to overcome the milestone of 9 minutes E. Elmsetter in 1944 ( 8.59,6 ). Since 1968, the Olympics have been won by representatives of Kenya (with the exception of 1976 and 1980, when Kenya refused to participate in the Olympic Games), and in 1992 in Barcelona, athletes from this country occupied the entire podium. became Olympic champions A.Bivott(1968, 8.51,02 ), K. Keino(1972, 8.23,64 ), D. Korir(1984, 8.11,80 ), D.Kariuki(1988, 8.05,51 ), M.Birir(1992, 8.08,94 ), D. Keter(1996, 8.07,12 ), R. Kosgey(2000, 8.21,43 ), E.Kemboi(2004, 8.05,81 ). First to break the 8-minute barrier B.Barmasai(Kenya) in 1997 ( 7.55,72 ). In the last years of the XX century. Women's 3000m hurdles began. However, due to the fact that this discipline for women was not included in the program of the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, the results were low. In 2005, medals in the women's steeplechase were played for the first time at the World Championships, which served as a good stimulus for the growth of results. Obstacle racing (steeplechase) is one of the most difficult types of athletics, requiring athletes not only endurance, but also strong technical skills - the ability to overcome obstacles set at a distance in conditions of increasing fatigue. On each lap in the 3000 m hurdles, the runner overcomes five obstacles, one of which is especially difficult (a water pit). There are 35 obstacles along the entire distance, therefore, only by achieving rational technique, you can win a significant amount of time. In running, all obstacles on the track are overcome by the athlete with one, and more often with two legs, which makes it easier to choose the place to set the foot before attacking the barrier. "Attack" of an obstacle is of great importance for its rational overcoming. The best place to place the foot in front of the obstacle is 130-185 cm. If the athlete runs close to the obstacle, then he cannot actively move the pelvis and the swing leg forward, so the general center of gravity moves over the obstacle along a steeper trajectory. With a distant repulsion in front of an obstacle, the flight phase increases, which makes it difficult to land behind an obstacle and reduces the speed when leaving. Length last step before repulsion to an obstacle, it should be somewhat less than the length of the previous ones, which is achieved by actively bringing the hips together in the flight phase and faster setting of the leg to the place of the push, and this, in turn, reduces the braking effect of the support reaction force. Lengthening the last step in front of an obstacle increases the braking action, since the foot is placed far ahead of the projection of the general center of gravity. When repulsed by an obstacle, the torso of the steeplechaser moves forward, and the bent fly leg is carried forward and up with the knee. With the advancement of the pelvis forward, the pushing leg is unbent. At the final moment of repulsion, the body and the pushing leg form a line close to a straight line. The extension of the fly leg in the knee joint occurs at the moment when the knee reaches the level of the obstacle. To maintain balance, the arm, opposite to the fly leg, is sent forward. In the unsupported position, the fly leg straightens at the knee joint, the body leans forward even more, the push leg bends, pulls up to the body and sweeps somewhat sideways through the obstacle. The hand, opposite to the fly leg, at this time moves down and back, slightly towards the side of the push leg. When descending from the barrier, the inclination of the torso gradually decreases, the steeplechaser lands on the forefoot. During the landing, the runner assumes a position similar to the position at the time of the "attack". When steeple chasers run up to an obstacle in a large group, it is difficult to accurately hit the repulsion point, sometimes it is more economical to use the “advancing” method of overcoming. It is less efficient in terms of time, but more economical in terms of energy costs. Unlike the strongest runners, in all low-skilled steeplechasers, 10-12 m before the obstacle, due to the determination of the right place for repulsion to the barrier, the running speed drops. This is especially noticeable among steeplechasers with undeveloped visual calculation, among those who constantly overcome an obstacle with one foot. The obstacle in the form of a hole with water is the most difficult on the course. Pit with water is usually overcome by steeplechasers in the “advancing” way, although recently many people in the first laps of the distance overcome it in an unsupported way. There are several opinions about the most rational way to overcome a hole with water. Some experts believe that it is necessary to push off the ground with the weakest leg and put the strongest on the obstacle in order to quickly overcome the hole with water and jump further. But most often steeplechasers push off the ground with their usual foot, and put the weakest on the obstacle, landing in the pit on the strongest foot. This does not knock them out of their usual rhythm, and landing on the strongest leg allows them to start running faster after overcoming an obstacle. There are steeplechasers who with both legs equally successfully overcome both ordinary obstacles and a hole with water. This allows you to run up to an obstacle without changing the rhythm of steps and running speed.

Previously, it was believed that the runner should push off the barrier as hard as possible and land further in the hole with water. At the same time, the athletes carry the fly leg far forward and, upon landing, stumble upon it, extinguishing the horizontal speed. Currently, steeplechasers often land 60-70 cm from the edge of the pit and quickly switch to a two-legged position, making the first step short. This allows you to maintain a high running speed. The decrease in speed after overcoming the hole with water is significant. Steeple chasers of the highest ranks reach the speed they gained before the obstacle by 7-8 m after overcoming the pit with water.

The technique of running between obstacles is no different from the technique of running long distances. Differences in the structure of running and hurdling are:

the position of the lower leg at the time of placing the foot on the track when running between obstacles and in front of obstacles;
changes in the angle of repulsion in the run between obstacles and at the moment of overcoming the obstacle;
the position of the lower leg when setting the foot in the run between obstacles and at the moment of landing behind an obstacle;
the duration of the flight phase in the run between obstacles and when overcoming an obstacle. The smaller the difference in flight time between normal running and overcoming an obstacle, the better the runner's technique.

Some kinematic characteristics depend on the level of sportsmanship and reflect the technical preparedness of the athlete; others - from individual characteristics and are not connected with the level of sportsmanship. These include: torso tilt at the moment of the vertical, at the moment of running between obstacles, the position of the lower leg when setting the leg, the position of the leg when pushing off the obstacle, the distance from the place where the foot is placed to the barrier.

The running of a high-class athlete is distinguished by freedom and ease of movement, which is achieved thanks to rational technique. Particularly important in the 3000 m hurdles is the technique of overcoming barriers and water holes. Due to this, you can significantly improve the result. The technical skill of a runner can be assessed by the difference in speed in a smooth run for 3000 m and in a run for 3000 m with obstacles (for the strongest runners it is 25-28 s).

The technical training of a steeplechaser is closely related to physical training.

With the growth of sportsmanship and physical fitness the technique is stabilizing, however, there are changes in the kinematic characteristics of hurdling:

the angle of setting the leg increases after overcoming an obstacle (for runners of the III and II category - 83.78 ± 1.58 °; masters of sports - 87.00 ± 4.14 °);
the support time is reduced during the "attack" of the barriers, respectively, from 197.42 ± 12.14 to 164.26 ± 12.50 ms;
the flight time over the obstacle is reduced from 554.42 ± 20.81 to 460.21 ± 38.54 ms, respectively;
the distance between the upper bar of the obstacle and the hip joint decreases from 51.68 ± 6.49 to 33.11 ± 5.91 cm, respectively;

the loss of time when overcoming an obstacle is reduced from 112.89 ± 10.71 to 95.47 ± 10.68 ms, respectively.

Running on short distances (sprint), characterized by the performance of short-term work of maximum intensity. Sprinting includes distances of 60, 100, 200 and 400 meters. In England, the USA, Australia and some other countries, sprint competitions are held at distances of 100, 220 and 440 yards, respectively 91.44, 201.17 and 402, 34 m

Sprinting, like many types of athletics, was revived in the 19th century. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Greece at the Athens stadium on April 5-14, 1896. Sprinting at these competitions was represented by two distances - 100 and 400 m for men. The winner in running at both distances was an athlete from the USA T. Burke (12,0 and 54.2 s). At the II Olympic Games (Paris, 1900), two more sprint distances were added - 60 and 200 m. At these competitions, all sprint distances were won by US athletes (60 m - E.Krenzlein (7.0 s); 100 m - F.Jarvis (11.0 s); 200 m - D. Tewkesbury (22.2 s); 400 m - M. Long (49.4 s). From the IV Olympic Games (London, 1908), 60-meter running was no longer included in the competition program. American sprinter achieved outstanding results in the sprint D. Owen, winner of the XI Olympic Games in Berlin (1936) in the 100 and 200 m ( 10,3 and 20.7 s). He set a world record in the 100m ( 10.2 s) lasted 20 years.

Despite the convincing victories of American athletes in the sprint, the first athlete to show a result in the 100 m 10.0 s, became an athlete from Germany A.Hari(1960), 200m result 20.0 s was shown in 1966. T. Smith(USA). In the 400 m 44.0 with the first overcame L. Evans in 1968 - 43.8 s.

To long (stayer) include distances from 3000 to 20000 m inclusive. At all times, running has occupied a significant place both in the athletics program of the Olympic Games and in the system physical education progressive countries. Long-distance running (up to 24 stages - 4614 m) was already included in the program of the ancient Olympic Games.

During the period of feudalism in the most developed countries of Western Europe, long-distance running, along with other exercise, was part of the training system for knights.

In a capitalist society, a great incentive for the development of running was the need for a good physical training warriors. During this period, not only in the army, but also among the civilian population, long-distance running is becoming increasingly popular. In sports clubs and clubs, he was given a significant place. Since 1845, running competitions have been constantly held in England, and since 1874, match meetings in athletics between Cambridge and Oxford Universities. Since 1875, similar competitions have been held between American colleges. Thus, university sports have become an important link in the development of long-distance running. The most outstanding runners of the late XIX-XX centuries. were the British W. Jordan, A. Robinson and A. Shrubb.

At the beginning of the XX century. the first world records were registered on the classical long distances for men: 5000 m - 15.01.2 (A. Robinson, Great Britain, 09/13/1908, Stockholm, Sweden); 10000 m - 31.02.4 (A. Schrubb, Great Britain, 5.11.1904, Glasgow, Northern Ireland).

The inclusion of long-distance running in the men's athletics program of the modern Olympic Games was a powerful impetus for improving results at these distances. For the first time at the modern Olympic Games, the long distance - 5 miles (8046.57 m) for men was held in London in 1908. At the classic long distances of 5000 and 10,000 m, men competed for the first time at the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912.

X. Kolehmainen became the first Olympic champion in running at these distances: 5000 m - 14.36.6; 10000 m - 31.20.8 s. At that time, the results shown were both Olympic and world records.

Progress in long-distance running came to a halt in 1914 as a result of the outbreak of the First World War.

From the 1920s to the 1940s, thanks largely to the efforts of Finnish runners, long distance distances began to grow rapidly. The most striking figure of those times in long-distance running was the Finnish runner P. Nurmi, who set 25 world records at distances from 1,500 to 20,000 m.

World War II led to another stagnation of results. Only G. Hegg, a representative of Sweden not involved in hostilities, managed to repeatedly improve world records. In 1942, for the first time in the world, at a distance of 5000 m, he showed a result of 13.58.2 s.

From the 1940s to the early 1960s, intense competition in long-distance running developed between representatives of the English, Czech, Hungarian, Soviet, and somewhat later New Zealand and Australian running schools. World records and Olympic victories belonged to the most famous representatives of these schools: the British G. Pirie, K. Chataway and B. Tallo, the Czech E. Zatopek, the Hungarians Sh. .Kuts and P. Bolotnikov, New Zealander M. Halberg and Australian R. Clark. These achievements became possible thanks to outstanding coaches: the Englishman F. Stumpflu, the Hungarian M. Igla, the Soviet coach G. Nikiforov and the New Zealander A. Lydyard.

Noteworthy are the successes Soviet school long-distance running from the 1950s to the mid-1960s. During these years, the leading role on the world stage was played by the Soviet stayers V. Kuts and P. Bolotnikov, who won the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. races at three long distances out of four. In the same period, they repeatedly improved world and Olympic records at distances of 5000-10,000 m. Some results were far ahead of their time. Thus, the victorious result of V. Kuts at the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956 at a distance of 5000 m - 13.39.6, set on a slow cinder track, was an Olympic record for 16 years. He was beaten by L. Viren at the Olympic Games in 1972 in Montreal, when fast synthetic tracks appeared.

During this period, representatives of the African continent begin to appear on the world athletics arena. The first harbingers of the “African revolution” in long-distance running were K. Keino and I. Temu (Kenya), M. Volde (Ethiopia) and M. Gammoudi (Tunisia), winners and medalists of the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games.

The 1970s were a new era for Finnish runners. In the pre-war years, the Finns achieved the last significant success at the 1936 Olympic Games, when in the 5000 m run the representatives of Finland took 1st and 2nd places (G. Heckert, L. Lyakhtinen), and in the 10,000 m run the entire The pedestal was Finnish (I. Salminen, A. Askola, V. Iso-Hollo). After a 35-year break, the era of the Finns begins again. So, from 1971 to 1978, out of eight stayer distances of two European championships and two Olympic Games, seven were won by the Finns (European Championship 1971 J. Väya-tainen - 5000 and 10,000 m, Olympic Games 1972 and 1976 L. Viren 5000 and 10,000 m, European Championship 1978 M. Vainio 10,000 m). The secret of the success of the Finnish stayers in these years was that since 1968, the New Zealand coach A. Lydyard began working there. His methodological concepts, combined with a comprehensive plan for the reorganization of the work of Finnish athletics, were the basis for the outstanding success of the Finnish runners of this period.

In subsequent years, up to the present day, thanks to the efforts of African runners, there has been a constant progress in long-distance running results. The world records and gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in both long distances were held by Africans.

Women's distance running has a shorter history. At the classic stayer distances, world records for women began to be recorded relatively recently: 5000 m - 15.24.6 (E. Sipatova, 06/09/1981, Podolsk, USSR), 10,000 m - 31.53.3 (M. Slaney, 07/16/1982, Eugene , USA).

The 5000 m distance for women was first included in the program of the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta (USA), and the 10,000 m distance in 1988 in Seoul (South Korea).

For a relatively short period of time, competition in these types of running has become much more intense.

To the extra longinclude all distances over 20,000 m. The classic ultra-long distance is the marathon run - 42,195 m (26.2 miles). Distances longer than a marathon are called ultramarathons.

Of all the variety of ultra-long distances, in addition to the marathon, which has been included in the program of the Olympic Games since the first modern games, it is necessary to single out the distances at which the World and European Championships are held: half marathon - 21,097.5 m (13.1 miles) and ultramarathon distances - 100 km run and daily run.

No other sport attracts such a huge number of participants of various age groups to its competitions. For example, in recent years, more than 30,000 runners of all ages have started in the New York City Marathon.

The popularity of ultra-long distance running is due to the following factors: the relative simplicity of the execution technique, the cheapness of equipment, the ability to conduct training and competitions in the absence of expensive special facilities and equipment, and a strong health effect. One of the most important factors is the heroic history of the origin of the main classical distance of marathon running.

No other sport in general, and athletics in particular, has such an ancient and exciting history as marathon running. In 490 BC. e. The Persians intended to expand their territory and take over Europe. They landed near Athens in the valley of Marathon and prepared for battle. The Persians greatly outnumbered the Athenians. The Athenian generals decided to seek help from the soldiers of Sparta. The time before the start of the battle was limited, so they decided to send one of the most enduring warriors to Sparta for help - a professional runner named Philipidis. The distance of 225 km passed through very mountainous terrain. It took the Athenian warrior about 36 hours to overcome this distance. Sparta agreed to help the Athenian army, but for religious reasons, they could only fight after the full moon period had passed. This meant that in the upcoming battle they would not be able to help the Athenians. Filipidis covered the 225 km return journey from Sparta to the village of Marathon and reported the disappointing news. As a result, the Athenian troops were forced to engage in an unequal battle against the Persians. The number of Athenian warriors was almost 4 times less than their opponents. However, in the battle the Persians lost about 6,400 soldiers. The losses of the Athenians amounted to only 192 warriors.

The remnants of the Persian troops withdrew to the sea and sailed to the south of Athens in order to attack the city. In order to report the good news of the victory over the Persians and warn the townspeople about the approach of Persian ships to Athens, Philipidis again had to set off, but now to Athens. From the village of Marathon it was about 40 km. With incredible efforts, Filipidis managed to overcome the fatigue from the previous forced march and battle. It took him over three hours to deliver the message. Exhaustion reached its limit, and the brave warrior-runner, having demonstrated miracles of endurance, soon died.

Centuries later, at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens, the first marathon competition for men was held. The distance of the marathon was different from the current one and was 40 km, or 24.85 miles.

The result of the first Olympic champion in this type of program, the Greek S. Louis, was 2:58.50

In 1908, at the fourth Olympic Games in London, the length of the marathon distance was changed and reached the classic 42,195 m (26.2 miles). This was the distance from Windsor Palace (where the Olympic marathon was started) to the royal box (where The Royal Family wished to watch the finish of the marathon runners).

Heated discussions lasted 16 years before the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris approved the distance of 42,195 m, or 26.2 miles, as the official marathon distance. (For comparison, the length of the marathon distance at the Olympic Games was: in 1896 - 40,000 m, in 1900 - 40,260 m, in 1904 - 40,000 m, in 1908 - 42,195 m, in 1912 . - 40,200 m, in 1920 - 42,750 m.)

For the first time, a world record in a marathon run for men was registered on August 21, 1908 (2:55.18, D. Hayes, USA). For 94 years, the efforts of 13 countries have improved the world record by more than 50 minutes.

Women's marathon. The first world achievements in the women's marathon, by modern standards, were very modest. The women's marathon is shorter than the men's marathon. Olympic history. It was included in the program of the Olympic Games in 1984 in Los Angeles (USA).

The result of the first Olympic champion in the women's marathon run, American D. Benoit, was 2:24.52.

Despite the fact that women competed in the Olympic marathon for the first time, they immediately showed very good results. For comparison: the result of the first Olympic champion D. Benoit in 1984 was the second result in the world in the history of the women's marathon. At the same time, he was slightly inferior to the results of men. Interestingly, the result shown by the first Olympic champion D. Benoit, was better than thirteen out of twenty Olympic results men in the period from 1896 to 1984. This became possible due to the fact that even before inclusion in Olympic program The women's marathon was quite popular and female marathoners were already using the advanced training methodology adopted in the practice of training male marathon runners.

The first recorded world record in the women's marathon belongs to V. Piersey, Great Britain (3:40.22, 03.10.1926, Chiswick).

Modern middle distance running originated in England in the 18th century. For men, running 800 and 1500 meters was included in the program of the I Olympic Games of our time. Women first competed in the 800m at the Olympic Games in 1928. Then this distance was excluded from the program of the games until 1960.

In pre-revolutionary Russia, the results in middle-distance running for men lagged behind the level of world achievements: 800 m - 2.00.3, 1500 m - 4.12.9 (I. Willemson, Riga, 1917). Among women, the highest achievement was registered only in the 800 m run - 3.20.2 (Milum, Riga, 1913).

World records, except for the result of Ya. Kratakhvilova (Czech Republic) at 800 m 1.53.28 (1983), tend to increase and amount to 3.50.46 s in the women's 1500 m - Tsu Yunsna (PRC); for men in the 800 m run - 1.41.11 from W. Kipketer (Denmark), for 1500 m - 3.26.00 from I. El-Gerouja (Morocco).

Short distance running (sprint), characterized by the performance of short-term work of maximum intensity. Sprinting includes distances of 60, 100, 200 and 400 meters. In England, the USA, Australia and some other countries, sprint competitions are held at distances of 100, 220 and 440 yards, respectively 91.44, 201.17 and 402, 34 m

The history of sprinting begins with the ancient Olympic Games (776 BC). At that time, two distances were very popular - running on stages (192.27 m) and two stages. The race was held in separate lanes and consisted of races and finals, the participants in the races and lanes were distributed by lot. The run began on a special command. Athletes who started ahead of time were punished with rods or sentenced to a fine. For women, the Olympic Games were held separately. They consisted of one type - running for a distance equal to 5/6 of the length of the stadium (160.22 m).

Sprinting, like many types of athletics, was revived in the 19th century. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Greece at the Athens stadium on April 5-14, 1896. Sprinting at these competitions was represented by two distances - 100 and 400 m for men. T. Burke from the USA became the winner in running at both distances (12.0 and 54.2 s). At the II Olympic Games (Paris, 1900), two more sprint distances were added - 60 and 200 m. At these competitions, all sprint distances were won by US athletes (60 m - E. Krenzlein (7.0 s); 100 m - F .Jarvis (11.0 s), 200 m - D. Tewksbury (22.2 s), 400 m - M. Long (49.4 s) From the IV Olympic Games (London, 1908) 60 m run American sprinter D. Owen, winner of the XI Olympic Games in Berlin (1936) in the 100 and 200 m (10.3 and 20.7 s), achieved outstanding results in the sprint. in the 100 m (10.2 s) he lasted 20 years.

Despite the convincing victories of American athletes in sprint, the first athlete who showed a result of 10.0 s in the 100 m run was A. Hari from Germany (1960), in the 200 m run the result was 20.0 s was shown in 1966 by T. Smith (USA). In the 400 m 44.0 with the first overcame L. Evans in 1968 - 43.8 s

For the first time, women took part in the modern Olympic Games in 1928 (IX Olympic Games, Amsterdam). Women competed at a distance of 100 m. The winner in this event was an athlete from the USA E. Robinson with a score of 12.2 s. The women's 200m was included in the XIV Olympic Games (London, 1948). At these competitions, both sprint distances were won by an athlete from Holland F.Blankers-Koen, showing 11.9 s for 100 m, and 24.4 s for 200 m. In the 100m run, women competed for medals only at the XVIII Olympic Games (Tokyo, 1964). The winner in this type of program was an athlete from Australia B. Cuthbert (52.0 s).

Athletes S. Valasevich (Poland, 1935, 200 m, 23.6 s) left a bright mark in sprinting; W. Rudolph (USA, 1960, 11.2 and 22.8 s); V. Thyes (USA, 1968, 100 m, 11.0 s); I. Shevynyzha (Poland, 1974, 200 and 400 m, 22.5 and 49.3 s); M. Koch (GDR, 1985, 200 and 400 m, 21.71 and 47.60 s.

Middle distance running technique

End of form

This is a way to implement the most rational and optimal movements of the runner, allowing you to run a certain distance at the planned speed. The methodology for modifying and improving technology should be based on the consistent development of its individual elements and its integral structure as actions according to the levels of traffic control. This is realized through increasing the efficiency, variability and economy of movement parameters in the appropriate forms of general, special and holistic exercises.

For middle-distance running, it is very important to be able to change technique in conditions of oncoming fatigue, when the body is filled with lactic acid.

For the analysis of running technique, start, starting acceleration, distance running and finishing.

Start and starting acceleration . Used in middle distance running high start. At the whistle or the “Start” command, the runners quickly take up their original starting position, putting their jogging foot forward to the line without stepping on it. The second leg is placed on the back of the toe at a distance of one foot from the heel of the front leg. Both legs are slightly bent, the weight of the body is more transferred to the front leg, the gaze is directed in front of you. The arm opposite to the standing leg, bent at the elbow, together with the shoulder, is brought forward, the second arm is retracted. The fingers are freely bent. On the command "March" or a shot, the runner on the slope, actively pushing himself, quickly starts running. Starting acceleration should provide a set of the most optimal running speed for a given distance. A faster set of speed causes unnecessary energy expenditure and early acidification of the body. Most runners accelerate to 60-70m using a natural increase in stride frequency and length. The starting acceleration, when the running speed exceeds the average distance, is divided into a set of speed and its gradual decrease to the distance speed, which must be worked out in the training process.

Distance running. In middle-distance running, the stride length is 190-220 cm at a frequency of 3.5-4.5 steps / s. The almost vertical position of the body (forward tilt does not exceed 4-5° and can vary within 2-3°) provides optimal conditions for bringing the leg forward. The arms are bent approximately at an angle of 90° and move freely back and forth in accordance with the movements of the legs. The work of the hands provides balance and helps to accelerate or slow down the pace of movement.

The legs are placed on the track on both sides of the midline from the front of the foot.

The moment of effective repulsion is carried out at an angle of 50-55 ° and is characterized by full extension of the leg. In this position, the lower leg is parallel to the pushing leg. Active repulsion is promoted by a swing of the free leg, which ends with the deceleration of the thigh due to the inclusion of the muscles of the back surface. Through repulsion and swing, the body transitions to flight, where the runner gets relative rest. The leg, finishing the push, relaxes and, bending at the knee joint, reaches for the thigh. In this case, the shin of the second leg is reactively moved forward. A more effective repulsion ends with a turn in the hip joint towards the fly leg. Active hip abduction, which begins in this phase, ensures landing with a slightly bent leg at the knee, which reduces its inhibitory effect at the moment of landing on the forefoot. The setting of the foot is carried out not by a passive, but by an active "capture" mechanism, which in the depreciation phase allows you to recuperate energy to a greater extent. This also provides the inertial passage of the vertical to the runner. The shin of the leg located behind is pressed against the thigh, contributing to some rest of the runner and the rapid removal of the leg forward and upward. The rear push phase provides the maximum effect of repulsion by a combination of inertial, reactive and concentrated forces. muscle contractions. This requires a fine differentiation of the sequence of muscle activation between the hip and ankle joints. The emphasis of the push is individually felt in pushing through thumb feet.

When running in a turn, the torso is slightly tilted inside the track, the foot of the right foot is placed with a slight turn of the heel outward. Right hand works more actively and somewhat inwards.

The main features of the technique are defined as follows: the body is slightly tilted forward, the shoulders are slightly apart, the pelvis is somewhat pushed forward, the head is held straight, the chin is lowered, the muscles of the face and neck are not tense, the movements of the arms and legs are wide and free.

Distances at the all-around world championships: women - 500, 3000, 1500 and 5000m; men - 500, 5000, 1500 and 10000m.

The All-Around World Championship is held over 2 or 3 days. This is determined by the championship organizers, who are obliged to consult with the ISU Sports Directorate. The order of running distances can be as follows (this must be agreed with the ISU technical committee):

	BUT	B	With	D	E
1st day	500m male 500m-women 5000m male	500m-women 3000m-women	500m male 5000m male	500m-women 500m male 3000m-women 5000m male	500m male 5000m male
2nd day	1500m-women 1500m male 3000m-women	1500m-women 5000m-women 500m male 5000m male	1500m male 10000m male 500m-women 3000m-women	1500m-women 1500m male 5000m-women 10000m male	500m-women 1500m male 3000m-women
3rd day	5000m-women 10000m male	1500m male 10000m male	1500m-women 5000m-women		1500m-women 10000m male 5000m-women

The order of distances under the program "D" and the order of distances (only on the second day) under the program "B" and "C", at the discretion of the organizers and with the approval of the ISU technical committee, can be changed.

Europe championship

Distances at the European Championships in all-around: women - 500, 3000,1500 and 5000m; men - 500,5000,1500 and 10000m.

The European Championship is held within 2 or 3 days. This is determined by the organizers in consultation with the ISU Sports Directorate. The order of conducting distances using one of the five programs, the choice of which the organizers must agree with the ISU technical committee.

Sprint World Championship

Distances at the World Sprint Championship: 500 and 1000m for women and men. Both of these distances are run both on the first and on the second day of the competition.

Junior World Championship

Women: 500,1000, 1500 and 3000 m (four all-around distances).
Men: 500,1500, 3000 and 5000m (four all-around distances).
Team competition for women - 6 lap pursuit. National teams consisting of 3 speed skaters participate.
Men's team competition - 8 lap pursuit. National teams consisting of 3 skaters participate.
Competitions at separate distances for women: 2 × 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000m.
Competitions at separate distances for men: 2 × 500, 1000, 1500 - 5000m.
The World Junior Championship is held over 3 days.

The order of distances can be as follows:

At distances of 3000m for women and 5000m for men, races are held in quartets.

World Single Distance Championship

Distances:

For women: in individual competitions - 500,1000,1500,3000 and 5000m; in team competition&ndash 6-lap pursuit for national teams consisting of 3 speed skaters.
For men: in individual competitions - 500,1000,1500,5000 and 10000m; in team competitions &ndash 8-lap pursuit for national teams consisting of 3 skaters.

The distance of 500m for women and men is run twice. The winner is determined by the sum of the results of two races.

The championship is held within 4 days. Distance order:

Quartet start distances

At ISU Championships, the following distances may be run by quartets:

3000m for women;
5000m for women and men;
10000m for men.

Distances at the Olympic Winter Games.

women - 500,1000,1500,3000 and 5000m;
men - 500,1000,1500,5000 and 10000m;
women ( national team 3 people) - team pursuit 6 laps;
men (national team 3 people) - team pursuit 8 laps.

The distance of 500m for women and men is run twice. The final results are determined by the sum of the time of the two races. Both races are held within one day for women and one day for men.

The program and procedure for conducting distances at the Olympic winter games determined by the national federation of the country where they are held. This program must be approved by the ISU Council.

Based on this, the order of competitions at distances will be as follows: 5000m-men, 3000m-women, 500m-men, 500m-women, 1000m-men, 1000m-women, 1500m-men, 1500m-women, 10000m-men, 5000m- women. Team pursuit competitions must be held after all individual distances have been completed.

The types of athletics are usually divided into five sections: walking, running, jumping, throwing and all-around. Each of them, in turn, is divided into varieties.

Athletics belongs to very conservative sports. So the program of men's disciplines in the program of the Olympic Games (24 types) has not changed since 1956.
The program of female species includes 23 species. The only difference is the 50 km walk, which is not on the women's list. Thus, athletics is the most medal-intensive among all Olympic sports.
The indoor championship program consists of 26 events (13 men's and 13 women's).
On the official competitions men and women do not participate in joint starts.

Running (running disciplines) of athletics

combine the following types: sprint, middle-distance running, long-distance running, hurdling, relay race.
Running is one of the oldest sports to have formal competition rules and has been on the program since the very first Olympic Games in 1896. For runners, the most important qualities are: the ability to maintain high speed over a distance, endurance (for medium and long), speed endurance (for a long sprint), reaction and tactical thinking.
Cross-country sports are included both in the disciplines of athletics and in many popular sports in separate stages (in relay races, all-around).

Conditions
Running competitions are held at special athletics stadiums with equipped tracks. Summer stadiums usually have 8-9 lanes, winter stadiums have 4-6 lanes. The width of the track is 1.22 m, the line separating the tracks is 5 cm. Special markings are applied to the tracks indicating the start and finish of all distances and corridors for passing the baton.
The competitions themselves almost do not require any special conditions. Of some importance is the coating from which it is made. Treadmill. Historically, at first the paths were earthen, cinder, asphalt. Currently, stadium tracks are made of synthetic materials such as tartan, recortan, regupol and others. For major international starts, the IAAF Technical Committee certifies the quality of the surface in several classes.
As shoes, athletes use special running shoes - spikes that provide good grip on the surface. Running competitions are held in almost any weather. In hot weather, long-distance running can also organize food stations.
General
At the start, the athletes take their positions according to the lot or places taken at the previous stages of the competition. With the command “to start” (“on your marks”), they take places at the starting line or in the blocks (sprint). At the command “attention” (“set”), they prepare for the start and must stop all movement (the command is used only in the sprint). The “march” command is given by the starter with a shot from the starting pistol, with which major competitions connected electronic timer.
During the run, athletes should not interfere with each other, although when running, especially for long and medium distances, contacts between runners are possible. At distances from 100 m to 400 m, athletes run each in their own lane. At distances from 600 m - 800 m, they start on different lanes and after 200 m they go to the common track. 1000 m and more start the start with a general group at the start line.
The athlete who crosses the finish line first wins. At the same time, in case of disputable situations, a photo finish is involved and the first athlete is considered to be the athlete whose part of the body was the first to cross the finish line.
Regulations
At large competitions with a large number of participants, starts are held in several circles of weeding out the losers (either by the occupied place or by the worst time). So at the summer World and European Championships and the Olympic Games, the following practice has been adopted (the number of laps may vary depending on the number of participants).
100 m and 800 m are held in 1-4 circles (race-quarter-final-semi-final-final)
from 1500 m to 5000 m in 1-3 laps (race-semi-final-final)
10,000 m - 1-2 laps (run-final)
At the same time, in the final races participate
100 m to 800 m, relay races - 8 athletes / 8 teams
from 1500 m to 10,000 m - 12 athletes and more
Rule Changes
Starting in 2008, the IAAF began the gradual introduction of new rules, with the aim of increasing the spectacle and dynamism of the competition. In running for medium, long distances and steeplechase, shoot the 3 worst athletes in terms of time. In the 3000 m smooth run and steeplechase in succession for 5, 4 and 3 laps before the finish line. In the 5000 meters run, there are also three in 7, 5 and 3 laps, respectively. It is planned that in 2009 these rules will come into force at the European Team Cup.
results
Since the European Championships in 1966 and the Olympic Games in 1968, electronic timing has been used to record running results in major competitions, evaluating results to the nearest hundredth of a second. But even in modern athletics, electronics are duplicated by judges with a manual stopwatch. World records and records over low level fixed in accordance with IAAF rules.
The results in running disciplines at the stadium are measured with an accuracy of 1/100 sec., in road running with an accuracy of 1/10 sec.

Technical disciplines of athletics

includes the following types:
vertical jump high jump, pole vault
horizontal jump, long jump, triple jump
shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, hammer throw.
All these 8 types (men's program) have been included in the full program of the Olympic Games since 1908. From the moment the women's hammer throw was included in the program of the Olympic Games (2000), all 8 types are also included in the women's program. Technical types are also included in athletics all-around.

rules
Qualifying round
If the number of athletes is very large, two rounds are held: qualifying (qualifying) and then the main competition. Panel of judges establishes a qualification standard for qualifying competitions. If the number of athletes who have fulfilled the standard is less than 12 people, then the remaining participants (up to 12) of the main competitions will be selected according to their places.
Qualifying competitions can be held in several groups, if possible (if the conditions of the competition and the number of sectors allow) at the same time.
The order of performance of athletes at all stages is determined by lot. The results of the qualifying competitions do not affect the main ones. At any stage, when successively three unsuccessful (not counted by the judges) attempts are performed, the athlete is eliminated from further competitions.
Attempt
Athletes are given one minute to complete an attempt in technical events. The time can be increased up to 3-5 minutes (depending on the discipline) if there are 3 or less participants in the sector. When a successful attempt is made, the referee raises a white flag, while an unsuccessful one is red.
Regulations of the main competitions
The winner is the one who achieves the highest result among all valid attempts in the main competitions.

Competitions in vertical jumps

At the beginning of the competition, the sequence of increasing the height of the bar for all stages is determined. To overcome each height, the athlete is given three attempts. If the athlete successfully took the height, then he again has three attempts. Athletes have the right to carry one or two remaining attempts to the next height.
In case of equality of results at the next height and the exhaustion of all attempts by the participants, the winner among several athletes is determined by the following algorithm
1. The advantage is given to the one who spent fewer attempts on the height where equality arose.
2. in case of equality under paragraph 1, the advantage is with the one who has the fewest number of unsuccessful attempts during the entire circle (main)
3. In case of equality under paragraph 2, athletes perform a jump-off - an additional attempt to the next height in order. If overcoming this height did not reveal the winner, then the bar is lowered by the agreed amount (2 cm in high jump and 5 cm in pole vault). If all the athletes took the height, then the bar rises by this value; if they do not take it, then it drops by this value and so on until the winner is determined.
In case of equality of results for other places (second, third and lower), jump-offs are not assigned, and the place is divided between the athletes.
Regulations in other technical types
In the qualifying (qualifying) competitions, each athlete is given 3 attempts.
If more than 8 athletes participate in the main competitions, then each is given 3 attempts and the best 8 athletes after 3 attempts are given (final) three more. If there are 8 athletes or less, then each is given 6 attempts.
In case of equality of results in the best attempts, the winner is determined accordingly by the second (third and so on up to the sixth) attempt.

high jump

Running high jump- discipline of athletics related to vertical jumps technical types. The components of the jump are the run-up, preparation for repulsion, repulsion, crossing the bar and landing.
Requires jumping ability and coordination of movements from athletes. Held in the summer and winter season. It has been the Olympic athletics discipline for men since 1896 and for women since 1928.
rules
High jump competitions take place in a jumping area equipped with a bar on holders and a place for landing. The athlete at the preliminary stage and in the final is given three attempts at each height. The athlete has the right to skip a height, while unused attempts at a missed height do not accumulate. If an athlete has made an unsuccessful attempt or two at any height and does not want to jump any more at that height, he can carry over the unused (respectively two or one) attempts to the next heights. The increase in height during the competition is determined by the judges, but it cannot be less than 2 centimeters. An athlete can start jumping from any height, after informing the judges about it.
The distance between the bar holders is 4 m. The dimensions of the landing area are 3 x 5 meters.
When trying, the athlete must push off with one foot. An attempt is considered unsuccessful if:
As a result of the jump, the bar did not stay on the racks;
The athlete touched the surface of the sector, including the landing site, located beyond the vertical projection of the near edge of the bar, or between or outside the uprights with any part of his body before he cleared the bar.
A successful attempt is marked by the referee by raising the white flag. If the bar falls off the posts after the white flag is raised, the attempt is considered valid. Usually the judge fixes the taking of the height not earlier than the athlete left the landing place, but the final decision on the moment of fixing the result formally remains with the judge.

Pole vault

Pole vault- a discipline related to vertical jumps of technical types of track and field athletics program. It requires jumping ability, sprint qualities, coordination of movements from athletes. Men's pole vault is olympic view sports from the First Summer Olympics 1896, among women - from the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Included in the athletics all-around.
rules
High jump competitions take place in a jumping area equipped with a bar on holders and a landing area. The athlete at the preliminary stage and the final is given three attempts at each height. The increase in height during the competition is determined by the judges, it cannot be less than 5 centimeters. Usually, at low heights, the bar is raised in increments of 10-15 cm and then the step goes to 5 cm.
The distance between the bar holders is 4 m. The dimensions of the landing area are 5 x 5 meters. The length of the track for the run is not less than 40 meters, the width is 1.22 meters. The athlete has the right to ask the judges to adjust the position of the bar posts from 40 cm in front of the rear surface of the pole box, up to 80 cm towards the run-up point.
An attempt is considered unsuccessful if:
As a result of the jump, the bar did not stay on the racks
The athlete touched the surface of the sector, including the landing site located behind the vertical plane passing through the far edge of the box for support, with any part of the body or with a pole.
The athlete in the flight phase tried to keep the bar from falling with his hands.
A successful attempt is marked by the referee by raising the white flag. If the bar fell from the racks after raising the white flag, it no longer matters - the attempt is counted. If during the attempt the pole breaks, the athlete has the right to try again.
Tactics
The ability to skip heights and reschedule attempts is the main tactical technique during the competition. A typical technique in case of an unsuccessful attempt at the next height is to transfer two attempts to the next height. Pole vault competitions are among the longest in the athletics sector and sometimes drag on for many hours. Recently, alternative versions of the rules have been considered in which athletes (as in weightlifting) are given a fixed number of attempts for all competitions.

Competitions in horizontal jumps

long jump

long jump- a discipline related to horizontal jumps of technical types of an athletics program.
Requires jumping ability, sprint qualities from athletes. The long jump was part of the competitive program of the ancient Olympic Games. It is the modern Olympic discipline of athletics for men since 1896, for women since 1948. Included in the athletics all-around.
Competition Rules
The task of the athlete is to achieve the greatest horizontal length of the running jump. Long jumps are held in the sector for horizontal jumps according to the general rules established for this variety of technical events. When performing a jump, athletes in the first stage take a run along the track, then push off with one foot from a special board and jump into a sand pit. The jump distance is calculated as the distance from a special mark on the take-off board to the start of the hole from landing in the sand.
The distance from the take-off board to the far edge of the landing pit must be at least 10 m. The take-off line itself must be located up to 5 m from the near edge of the landing pit.
Technique and style
In world-class male athletes, starting speed when repulsed from the board, it reaches 9.4 - 9.8 m / s. The optimal angle of departure of the athlete's center of mass to the horizon is 20-22 degrees and the height of the center of mass relative to the usual position when walking is 50-70 cm. Athletes usually reach the highest speed in the last three or four steps of the run.
The jump consists of four phases: run-up, repulsion, flight and landing. The greatest differences, in terms of technique, affect the flight phase of the jump.
"On the move"(The Stride jump or Sail jump (English)) The simplest technique known since the 19th century and familiar to amateur athletes from physical education lessons, this is a jump “in step” or “bending legs”. After repulsion, the push leg joins the fly leg through the side and the shoulders are retracted slightly back. Although this is an elementary version of the jump, it is used by high-level athletes in the 21st century. So the English athlete Tomlinson, who has a jump of 8.25 meters, jumps “in step”. With the same style, Galina Chistyakova set a world record of 7.52 m.
"Bending over"(The Hang Style (English)) - a more difficult variation that requires more training and coordination. The jumper in flight bends the body in the lower back and, as it were, pauses before landing. In 1920, this technique was first demonstrated by the Finnish jumper Tuulos. At the present stage of the development of athletics, this is the most popular technique among female jumpers. Heike Drexler, for example, jumped this style.
"Scissors"(The Hitch-Kick (English)) - the most difficult option, requiring high speed-strength qualities of an athlete. The athlete in flight seems to continue running and takes 1.5, 2.5 or 3.5 steps with his feet in the air. This is the most popular technique among high-class male athletes.
Scissors style, jumped 8.95 in 1991]] Mike Powell. Bob Beamon jumped 8.90 meters in the Olympic Mexico City (1968) with the same style.

All-around

Athletics all-around- a set of athletics disciplines where athletes compete in various types, which allow you to identify the most versatile athlete. Male all-rounders are sometimes referred to as knights of many qualities. All-around competitions are included in the program of the Olympics and are held in the summer and winter seasons.
Disciplines:
In the following all-around events, the IAAF holds world records
Men's decathlon(summer season): 100m long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, 1500m
Women's heptathlon(summer season): 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw, 800m.
Men's heptathlon (winter season): 60m long jump, 60m hurdles shot put, high jump, pole vault, 1000m
Women's pentathlon(winter season): 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, 800m
There are also less common types, such as competitions in the men's decathlon program for women. Sometimes also the founders of commercial competitions can hold all-around events according to a non-standard program.

rules
For each type, athletes receive a certain number of points, which are awarded either according to special tables or empirical formulas. All-around competitions at official IAAF starts are always held over two days. Between species, an interval for rest is necessarily determined (usually at least 30 minutes). When conducting certain types of events, there are amendments specific to the all-around.
in track events, two false starts are allowed (instead of one as in normal track events).
In the long jump and in throwing, the participant is given only three attempts each.
Under certain conditions, the use of manual timing is permitted if the stadium is not equipped with automatic timing.

Race walking

- Olympic athletics discipline, in which, unlike running types, there must be constant contact of the foot with the ground. In the Olympic program, competitions for men are held outside the stadium, at a distance of 20 km and 50 km, for women at 20 km. There are also competitions on the 400 m track of outdoor stadiums (10,000 and 20,000 m) and the 200 m track indoors (5,000 m).
Rules and technique
Race walking is an alternation of steps that must be performed so that the walker has constant contact with the ground. The following two rules must be followed:
1. It is essential that the athlete is in constant contact with the ground without any loss of contact visible to the human eye.
2. The extended leg must be fully extended (i.e. not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until passing the vertical.
The athlete's walking technique is evaluated by the judges at the distance, who should be from 6 to 9 (including the chief judge).
Walking in the track and field program is the only event in which subjective judging is present. If in running athletes are removed from the race only in exceptional cases, then in the practice of walking, disqualification at a distance is a common occurrence. There are cases when athletes are disqualified after the finish.
Referees may issue warnings to walkers using yellow paddles to warn them against breaking the rules. A wavy horizontal line is drawn on one side of the scapula (indicating loss of contact with the surface), on the other - two segments connected at an approximately 150 degree angle (indicating bent leg). The referee cannot warn more than once about the same violation of a certain athlete.
If the rule is broken, the referee presents the walker with a red card. An athlete is disqualified if three red cards from three different judges at a distance were sent to the chief judge.
In addition, the Chief Judge may disqualify the athlete alone on the last lap (if the competition takes place at the stadium) or on the last 100 meters of the distance (when walking on the highway).

History of ultralong distance running

Extra long distances include all distances over 20,000 m. The classic extra long distance is the marathon run - 42,195 m (26.2 miles). Distances longer than a marathon are called ultramarathons.

The result of the first Olympic champion in this type of program, the Greek S. Louis, was 2:58.50.

In 1908, at the fourth Olympic Games in London, the length of the marathon distance was changed and reached the classic 42,195 m (26.2 miles). This was the distance from Windsor Palace (where the Olympic marathon was started) to the royal box (from where the royal family wished to watch the finish of the marathon).

Women's marathon. The first world achievements in the women's marathon, by modern standards, were very modest. The women's marathon has a shorter Olympic history than the men's. It was included in the program of the Olympic Games in 1984 in Los Angeles (USA).

The result of the first Olympic champion in the women's marathon run, American D. Benoit, was 2:24.52.

Despite the fact that women competed in the Olympic marathon for the first time, they immediately showed very good results. For comparison: the result of the first Olympic champion D. Benoit in 1984 was the second result in the world in the history of the women's marathon. At the same time, he was slightly inferior to the results of men. Interestingly, the result shown by the first Olympic champion D. Benoit was better than thirteen out of twenty Olympic results for men in the period from 1896 to 1984. This became possible due to the fact that even before being included in the Olympic program, the women's marathon was quite popular and women - marathon women have already used the advanced training methodology adopted in the practice of training male marathon runners.

The first recorded world record in the women's marathon belongs to V. Piersey, Great Britain (3:40.22, 03.10.1926, Chiswick).

History of middle distance running

Modern middle-distance running originated in England in the 18th century. For men, running 800 and 1500 meters was included in the program of the I Olympic Games of our time. Women first competed in the 800m at the Olympic Games in 1928. Then this distance was excluded from the program of the games until 1960.

History of steeplechase

Obstacle racing (steeplechase) as a form of athletics originated in England. The first competitions were held in 1837 in Rugby. Obstacle racing made its debut at the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris. The medals were played at two distances - 2500 m (champion D. Orton (Canada) - 7.34.4) and 4000 m (D. Rimmer (Great Britain) - 12.58.4). The 3000 m hurdles were run for the first time at the VII Olympic Games in Antwerp (Belgium), where the Englishman P. Hodge (10.04.0) became the Olympic champion.

For a long time Finnish runners excelled in steeplechase. P. Nurmi became the first champion to run the distance faster than 10 minutes (9.54.2) in 1922. At the last four pre-war games (from 1924 to 1936), Finnish steeplechasers won 9 medals out of 12. V. Rittola, T. Loukola and V. Iso-Hollo (twice) became Olympic champions. However, the Swede E. Elmsetter was the first to overcome the line of 9 minutes in 1944 (8.59.6). Since 1968, the Olympics have been won by representatives of Kenya (with the exception of 1976 and 1980, when Kenya refused to participate in the Olympic Games), and in 1992 in Barcelona, athletes from this country occupied the entire podium. A. Bivott (1968, 8.51.02), K. Keino (1972, 8.23.64), D. Korir (1984, 8.11.80), D. Kariuki (1988, 8.05.51), M. Birir (1992, 8.08.94), D. Keter (1996, 8.07.12), R. Kosgey (2000, 8.21.43), E. Kemboi (2004 ., 8.05.81). B. Barmasai (Kenya) was the first to break the 8-minute barrier in 1997 (7:55.72).

In the last years of the XX century. Women's 3000m hurdles began. However, due to the fact that this discipline for women was not included in the program of the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, the results were low.

In 2005, medals in the women's steeplechase were played for the first time at the World Championships, which served as a good stimulus for the growth of results.

History of the relay race

Relay racing is a team type of athletics, which surpasses other types in terms of emotionality and fascination. Relay races are held inside and outside the stadium. The main thing in the relay race is that during the run, the team members alternately run the distance segments determined by the rules of the competition, passing each other baton in a dedicated 20-meter zone.

Relay racing as an athletics competition began to be cultivated in the 19th century. For the first time it was included in the program of the IV Olympic Games (London, 1908). At these competitions, the relay race included various distances - 200 + 200 + 400 + 800 m. The first winners were the US athletes, who showed a result of 3:29.4 s, the second - the German team, and the third - Hungary. At the next Olympic Games (Stockholm, 1912), athletes competed for medals in two relay races - 4x100 m and 4x400 m. The teams of Great Britain (42.4 s) and the USA (3.16.6 s) became the winners, respectively. At the XXVIII Olympic Games, the gold medals in the 4x100 m relay were won by athletes from Great Britain (38.07 s), the 4x400 m was deservedly won by American athletes - 2.55.91 s.

For the first time, Olympic medals among women were played at the IX Olympic Games (Amsterdam, 1928). The competition program also included a 4x100 m relay. The first in this form were women from Canada (result of 48.4 s), the second - athletes from the USA (48.8 s), the third place was taken by the German team (48.8 s). The 4x400 m relay race for women began to be included in the programs of the largest competitions only since 1969. The first official record in this form was set by athletes from Great Britain (3:30.8 s). In the future, the records in the relay race 4x100 and 4x400 m were repeatedly improved and most often belonged to athletes from the GDR and the USA. Currently, the record in the 4x100 m relay is 41.37 s and belongs to athletes from the GDR (Canberra, 1985), in the 4x400 m relay - 3.15.17 s and belongs to athletes from the USSR (Seoul, 1988).

History of sprinting

Short-distance running (sprint) is characterized by the performance of short-term work of maximum intensity. Sprinting includes distances of 60, 100, 200 and 400 meters. In England, the USA, Australia and some other countries, sprint competitions are held at distances of 100, 220 and 440 yards, respectively 91.44, 201.17 and 402, 34 m

Sprinting, like many types of athletics, was revived in the 19th century. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Greece at the Athens stadium on April 5-14, 1896. Sprinting at these competitions was represented by two distances - 100 and 400 m for men. T. Burke from the USA became the winner in running at both distances (12.0 and 54.2 s). At the II Olympic Games (Paris, 1900), two more sprint distances were added - 60 and 200 m. At these competitions, all sprint distances were won by US athletes (60 m - E. Krenzlein (7.0 s); 100 m - F .Jarvis (11.0 s), 200 m - D. Tewksbury (22.2 s), 400 m - M. Long (49.4 s) From the IV Olympic Games (London, 1908) 60 m run American sprinter D. Owen, winner of the XI Olympic Games in Berlin (1936) in the 100 and 200 m (10.3 and 20.7 s), achieved outstanding results in the sprint. in the 100 m (10.2 s) he lasted 20 years.

Despite the convincing victories of American athletes in sprint, the first athlete who showed a result of 10.0 s in the 100 m run was A. Hari from Germany (1960), in the 200 m run the result was 20.0 s was shown in 1966 by T. Smith (USA). In the 400 m run, L. Evans overcame 44.0 with the first in 1968 - 43.8 s.

History of long distance running

Long distances (stayers) include distances from 3,000 to 20,000 m inclusive. At all times, running has occupied a significant place both in the athletics program of the Olympic Games and in the system of physical education in progressive countries. Long-distance running (up to 24 stages - 4614 m) was already included in the program of the ancient Olympic Games.

During the period of feudalism in the most developed countries of Western Europe, long-distance running, along with other physical exercises, was part of the training system for knights.

In a capitalist society, a great incentive for the development of running was the need for good physical preparation of soldiers. During this period, not only in the army, but also among the civilian population, long-distance running is becoming increasingly popular. In sports clubs and clubs, he was given a significant place. Since 1845, running competitions have been constantly held in England, and since 1874 athletics matches between Cambridge and Oxford universities have been systematically organized. Since 1875, similar competitions have been held between American colleges. Thus, university sports have become an important link in the development of long-distance running. The most outstanding runners of the late XIX-XX centuries. were the British W. Jordan, A. Robinson and A. Shrubb.

At the beginning of the XX century. the first world records were registered in the classic long distances for men: 5000 m - 15.01.2 (A. Robinson, Great Britain, 13.09.1908, Stockholm, Sweden); 10000 m - 31.02.4 (A. Schrubb, Great Britain, 5.11.1904, Glasgow, Northern Ireland).

X. Kolehmainen became the first Olympic champion in running at these distances: 5000 m - 14.36.6; 10000 m - 31.20.8 s. At that time, the results shown were both Olympic and world records.

Progress in long-distance running came to a halt in 1914 as a result of the outbreak of the First World War.

It should be noted the success of the Soviet school of long-distance running from the 1950s to the mid-1960s. During these years, the leading role on the world stage was played by the Soviet stayers V. Kuts and P. Bolotnikov, who won the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. races at three long distances out of four. In the same period, they repeatedly improved world and Olympic records at distances of 5000-10,000 m. Some results were far ahead of their time. Thus, the victorious result of V. Kuts at the Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956 at a distance of 5000 m - 13.39.6, set on a slow cinder track, was an Olympic record for 16 years. He was beaten by L. Viren at the Olympic Games in 1972 in Montreal, when fast synthetic tracks appeared.

The 5000 m distance for women was first included in the program of the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta (USA), and the 10,000 m distance in 1988 in Seoul (South Korea).

For a relatively short period of time, competition in these types of running has become much more intense.

History of hurdling

Obstacle racing first appeared in England in the 19th century. (games of English shepherds who competed in running speed through sheep pens). Subsequently, competitions began to be held on lawns equipped with the simplest obstacles that were driven into the ground, and then portable obstacles in the form of a "goat" for sawing firewood. After 1900, lighter barriers appeared, shaped like an inverted "T". In 1935, an "L" type barrier with a weighted base was invented that would tip over when a force of 8 pounds (3.6 kg) was applied to it.

The first recorded record in 1864 in the run for 120 yards (109.92 m) belongs to A. Daniel (17.75 s). The search for a rational technique led to the “attack” of the barrier with a straight leg and to an increase in the inclination of the body when overcoming the obstacle. This technique was first demonstrated by the Englishman A. Cruz in 1886, showing a result of 16.4 s. After 12 years, the American A. Krenzlein demonstrates an excellent technique of “running over barriers” and, having shown the result in running for 120 yards 15.2 s, becomes the champion of the II Olympic Games in 1900. A further improvement in the technique of overcoming the barrier belongs to the American F. Smithson. It consisted in a delayed extension of the pushing leg, which made it possible to avoid turning the body and maintain balance on the exit from the barrier. F. Smithson became the winner of the IV Olympic Games in 1908 at a distance of 110 m hurdles with an outstanding result for that time of 15.0 s. It took more than 50 years for athletes from different countries to improve this result by 2 s. In 1975, the Frenchman Guy Drew showed the result of 13.0 s. In the future, world records are recorded only by electronic timing. The first record holder is the Cuban hurdler A.Kasanyans - 13.21 s. Twice the world record is improved by R. Nehemia: in 1979 - 13.00 and in 1981 - 12.93 s. In 1993, the world record returns to England: it is set by K. Jackson, showing a result of 12.91 s.

The 400m hurdles was included in the program of the II Olympic Games (Paris, 1900). Athletes from the United States have made a huge contribution to the development of this type of hurdling. The first Olympic champion J. Tewksbury showed the result of 57.6 s. Through the efforts of F. Loomis (USA), D. Morton (USA), S. Petersen (Sweden), D. Gibson (USA), F. Taylor (USA) and G. Hardin (USA), it improved by 7 s over half a century - 50.6 s In 1953, Y. Lituev (USSR) intervenes in the dispute between the Americans - 50.4 p. Following him, the Americans G. Davis (49.5 s) and W. Krum (49.1 s) were again the record holders. These results were improved by the Englishman D. Hemeri (48.1 s) and Akia Bua from Uganda (47.82 s). From 1976 to 1981 E. Moses was the owner of the record. Over the course of a number of years, he improved it and brought it to 47.02 s. In 1992, K. Young shows 46.78 s.

Hurdling for women was first included in the program of the X Olympic Games in 1932 in Los Angeles. At a distance of 80 m hurdles, M. Didriksen (USA) became the first Olympic champion with a score of 11.7 s. In 1968, the Soviet hurdler V. Korsakova set the last record at this distance - 10.2 s.

The brake for further improvement of the results was the arrangement of barriers and their height.

Since 1968, a new distance in hurdling for women has been established - 100 m. The struggle for records in this form has unfolded among athletes from European countries. K. Balzer (GDR) becomes the first record holder: in 1969 - 12.9, in 1971 - 12.6 s. Her compatriot A. Erhard improved the record four times and brought it to 12.59 s. In 1978, the Polish hurdler G. Rabshtyn took over the world record - 12.48 s; in 1980 she brought it up to 12.36 s. In 1988, the Bulgarian athlete J. Donkova showed an even higher result - 12.21 s.

The first competition in the women's 400m hurdles took place in 1971 in Bonn. Since 1974, the IAAF began to register world records in this type of hurdling. The first record holder was K. Kasperchik (Poland) - 56.61 s. Then the world record was consistently improved by: T. Storozheva (USSR, 55.74 s), K. Kasperchik (Poland, 55.44 s), T. Zelentsova (USSR, 55.31 s), M. Makeeva (USSR, 54, 78 s), M. Ponomareva (USSR, 53.58 s), S. Bush (GDR, 53.55 s). In 1986, M. Stepanova twice improved the world record and for the first time ran faster than 53 seconds (52.94 s). In 1993, S. Gunnel (Great Britain) showed the result of 52.74 s, and in 1995 K. Batten and T. Buford (USA) at the World Championships ran faster than the world record - 52.61 and 52.62 s, respectively.

Prepared by: Sergey Koval

The content of the article

SWIMMING (ON SPORT DISTANCES), one of ancient species sports. Includes competitions in overcoming water distances from 50 to 1500 m (in the pool) in freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke, as well as in combined swimming and in the team relay. The first swimmer (team) to reach the finish line wins.

Since 1896 it has been included in the program of the Olympic Games. Currently Olympic competitions in swimming - one of the largest awards in terms of the number of awards.

Swimming is included modern pentathlon and marine all-around, is the technical basis of the game of water polo, as well as an indispensable element in the training of water divers and representatives of sailing and water-motor sports. In addition to swimming at sports distances, there are applied, underwater, synchronized, therapeutic, domestic and other types of swimming.

Regular swimming exercises train all major muscle groups, the heart and lungs, develop endurance and coordination of movements, harden the body, strengthen nervous system, develop correct posture, improve metabolism.

Swimming styles.

In modern sports swimming, there are: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Freestyle.

According to the rules, in freestyle swimming, athletes can use any method (with the exception of combined swimming and team relay races: in this case, freestyle is defined as different from breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke). Swimmers traditionally prefer the crawl (English crawl - lit. crawl), the fastest of modern swimming styles, so the concepts of "freestyle" and "crawl" are often perceived as synonymous.

It is believed that crawl as a style was formed by modifying swimming on the side - hand by hand. It has been used in competitions since the beginning of the last century. One of the founders of the modern crawl is the Olympic champion Zoltan Halmai. A great contribution to the further development of the style was also made by Duke Kahanamoku and Johnny Weissmuller, who shone on the Olympic tracks. Kahanamoku at OI-1912 instead of a two-stroke (for each stroke of the hand there is one movement of the leg) used a four-stroke crawl. Later, Weissmuller began to use a six-stroke crawl.

The main driving force in crawl swimming is created by the hands. The athlete alternately immerses his arms slightly bent at the elbow in front of the shoulders into the water, makes a long powerful stroke, gradually straightening his arm, and takes it out of the water at the hip. The work of the hands is accompanied by alternate movements up and down the legs, which at the same time slightly bend and unbend at the knees.

Backstroke.

Once upon a time, backstroke was used exclusively for recreation on the water. Over time, it began to be used to overcome water distances - and was included in the competition program. At first, athletes used the breaststroke, i.e. without taking your hands out of the water, technique. Modern (sometimes called “shock”) swimming on the back, in fact, is an inverted crawl: alternate swinging movements of the hands are accompanied by “fluttering” kicks of the legs on the water.

At OI-1912, the inverted crawl was first demonstrated by the American Harry Hebner, who, thanks to his “know-how”, was able to significantly outperform his rivals. And at the 1936 Games, his compatriot Adolf Kiefer achieved an impressive advantage thanks to another technical innovation: somersaults when making a turn - over time, all swimmers adopted it.

Breaststroke.

The slowest of all sports swimming styles, primarily due to the braking moment when moving the arms forward (French brasse literally means "to spread the arms"). Nevertheless, breaststroke was the main swimming style in Europe for a long time, and all the first records were set in this technique. Swimmers at competitions tried to increase their speed in various ways: including through the movement of their hands, as in butterfly. In order to keep breaststroke as a separate swimming sport, FINA eventually decided to separate breaststroke and butterfly.

When breaststroke swimming, the legs should be in a horizontal position and move in sync, as should the arms, which carry out simultaneous wide strokes. According to the rules, after the start and turn, athletes are allowed to make only one full vertical movement with each leg while underwater. The athlete's head can periodically hide under water, but the so-called diving breaststroke(when the swimmer covers most of the distance underwater) is now prohibited.

Butterfly.

The second fastest style. At one time it was considered a type of breaststroke, but since 1952 it has become a separate swimming style. It got its name (English butterfly - butterfly) due to the fact that the movements of a swimmer with their hands really resemble the flapping of a butterfly's wings.

Born in the 1930s. At first it was used only in certain sections of the "breaststroke" distance, then - over the entire distance. Jimmy Higgins was the first to demonstrate it in official competitions in 1935. The footwork borrowed from the breaststroke was eventually replaced by their synchronous up and down movement, in which the swimmer kicks the water with his feet. Both hands must also move in sync.

Allocate a high-speed variety of butterfly - dolphin: the athlete makes a wave-like movement with the whole body.

Rules.

Program types.

Freestyle - distances 50, 100, 200, 400, as well as 800 m (women only) and 1500 m (men only); breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke - at distances of 100 and 200 m; individual combined heats for 200 and 400 m; 4x100 relay, 4x200 freestyle and 4x100 medley relay.

Participants in individual combined heats swim in various styles in the following sequence: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle. In the mixed team relay, the sequence is: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.

Participants of the team relay (and the order of their performance) are determined in advance and recorded in the protocol of the competition. Each swimmer can compete in only one of its stages.

Swimming pool.

Swimming competitions are held in pools with a length of 25 m ("short water") and 50 m ("long water"). Since 1924, Olympic tournaments have been held only in 50-meter pools.

OI-1924 were marked by another innovation: a continuous floating marking in the form of cords with floats separating one track from another. The width of the track is 2.5 m. The numbering of the tracks goes from right to left (when viewed from the start in the direction of the distance). On the bottom of the pool - in the center of each lane - as well as on the turns of the walls, contrasting dark lines are applied, allowing the swimmer to maintain the exact direction of movement during the swim. When swimming on the back, athletes are guided by special direction indicators - a rope with flags, which is stretched on both sides of the pool.

When distributing tracks between the participants in the swim, the so-called wedge rule. With an odd number of lanes in the pool, the swimmer (team) who showed at the previous stage the best time, floats along the central track, with an even - along the 3rd (if there are 6 tracks) or along the 4th (if there are 8 of them). On the track to the left of the leader, the athlete who showed the second time starts, on the track to the right - the third, etc.

It is forbidden by the rules to "lean" on the markings, as well as to swim on someone else's track (and in general to interfere with the opponents in any way in passing the distance).

Equipment.

Swimming trunks (for women - a bathing suit), as well as - at the request of the athlete - a swimming cap and special glasses. Sometimes male athletes cut their hair to “zero” to improve “hydrodynamics”. At the end of the century, the century-old fashion returned, when male swimmers, like women, performed in bathing suits. Some men's swimmers are experimenting with special wetsuits made using the latest technology, and female swimmers are experimenting with asymmetrical swimsuits.

The rules prohibit the use in competitions of devices that can increase speed qualities, buoyancy and endurance of the athlete - fins, "webbed" gloves, etc.

Refereeing.

At major international competitions referee team includes: the chief judge (referee), starters, timekeepers, turn and finish judges, assistants who control the athletes at the start, judges who monitor compliance with swimming technique, informant judge and secretaries. Another assistant in the event of a false start lowers a special false start cable into the water.

Start, turn, finish.

In breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle and individual combined swimming, athletes start from the starting position with a special starting pedestal. (In addition to the classic start, in which the athlete’s arms are extended forward and down or pulled back, the so-called “grab start” is also allowed: the swimmer’s hands grab the edge of the pedestal from the front or from the sides.) In backstroke and mixed team relay competitions, the start accepted out of the water: holding hands on the handrails of the starting table and facing it, the athletes rest their feet on the wall of the pool (below the water level) and - at the command “Start!” – swimmers must fix starting position, slightly pulling up to the handrails.

Start is made on a starter shot. Now at major competitions operates " one start rule': swimmer who allowed false start, is disqualified.

The moment of start and finish is recorded by electronic sensors located on the starting bollards and on the walls of the pool. If the swimmer participating in the relay race takes off from the starting block 0.03 seconds before his teammate from the previous stage touches the wall, the team will be disqualified.

In all types of the program, the athlete must touch the wall of the pool when turning. Freestyle and backstroke swimmers can touch the wall with any part of their body, so they use forward somersault, kicking off the wall with your feet. When swimming breaststroke and butterfly, the swimmer must necessarily touch the wall with his hands, so it is used here pendulum turn. Turns similar in technique are also used in individual combined swimming in the transition from butterfly to backstroke and from breaststroke to freestyle. When moving from the “back” to the breaststroke, a somersault forward is used (at the same time, according to the rules, swimmers must remain on their backs until they touch the pool wall).

Part of the swimmer's body must always remain above the water, with the exception of the start and turn, when it is allowed to cover part of the distance (no more than 15 m) under water.

In freestyle and backstroke competitions, athletes, finishing, can touch the wall of the pool with one hand, while swimming in butterfly and breaststroke - always with two.

Competition formula.

FINA sets standard A and B qualifying times for each event. In order to enter two athletes (the maximum number of competitors from one country in each event), both of them must meet the A standard. If one or both athletes meet the B standard, then the National Federation may enter only one competitor.

Major competitions start with qualifying heats and then go through the elimination system - up to the final. The athlete’s exit to the next stage does not depend on the place he took in “his” swim, but on the time shown.

Athlete preparation.

The basis of the basics is the general physical preparation of the swimmer, which contributes to the development of endurance, and the setting of breathing (errors in breathing ultimately affect the technique). When developing a technique, much attention is paid not only to mastering its individual elements, but also to the coordination of movements and the ability to accurately calculate them (which is extremely important, for example, when making a turn), as well as a sense of rhythm.

With the development of sports swimming, the organization has become increasingly important. training process. This is what contributed, for example, to the considerable success of Japanese swimmers in con. 20–30s. Noticeably inferior to rivals from Europe and America in physical strength and physique power, they compensated for this by the frequency of movements made during the swim (which, in turn, was achieved by increasing training loads). Likewise, the rise of Australian swimming in the mid-1950s was largely due to the introduction of so-called interval training - while increasing its overall volume and intensity.

Recently, much attention has been paid to special training swimmers using the latest achievements of science and technology, individual approach, recovery programs for athletes, etc.

Experiments with equipment for swimming pools also contribute to the growth of technical indicators of swimmers. Thus, the participants of the 1976 Olympic Games, who set 24 Olympic records - in 26 types of programs - 21 of which became world records at the same time, competed in a "pool without waves": turbulent water flows resulting from the movement of athletes were neutralized due to the special design and size pool. And in the pool built for the Games-96, the problem of turbulence is solved due to its great depth, a special drainage system and track markers that absorb the wave.

From the history of navigation.

Swimming in antiquity.

Swimming, known to man from time immemorial, at first it was of an applied nature: in connection with economic activity, etc. Over time, it began to be used as a means of " active rest". The earliest images of swimmers that have come down to us date back to 4-3 millennia BC: rock paintings in the Libyan desert, bas-reliefs of ancient Babylon, etc.

It is known that swimming was extremely revered by the ancient Greeks. It was not included in the program of the Olympic Games, but was an obligatory part of some other competitions: for example, the Games on the Isthma. Even the expression “He can neither read nor swim” entered the Greeks’ speech as evidence of the complete worthlessness of a person. Swimming was considered an important element not only of the general physical training of the younger generation, but also of education in general.

No less popular was swimming among the ancient Romans. It was part of the training program for legionnaires. An excellent swimmer was Julius Caesar and some other Roman generals. At the beginning of a.d. at the Roman baths began to build pools for swimming with heated water.

Much attention was paid to swimming in ancient Egypt and India. In Japan, even before our era. competitions were organized.

The birth of modern sport swimming.

In medieval Europe, swimming was even included in the rite of knighthood - although there was a period when it actually fell into disrepair.

At 15 - early. 16th centuries swimming began to take on a sporting character: it is known, for example, that competitions were held in Venice in 1515. In 1538, the first written instruction on swimming known to us was published by the Dane N. Vinman. The first amateur swimming school was opened in Paris at the end of the 18th century. A little later, similar schools appear in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia.

In the 1830s, the first ever Association of Sports Swimmers was created in England. In 1844, swimming competitions were held in London. (At the initiative of the organizers, several North American Indians also took part in the competition, who confidently won - thanks to the “fatches” swimming technique unknown to Europeans, however, the British did not change their usual “breaststroke” technique after that.) In 1875, Matthew Webb swam over English Channel, thus laying the foundation for ultra-marathon races.

In the middle of the 19th century, the construction of artificial (closed) pools began in different countries (the first such facility was opened in 1842 in Vienna). By the end of the century, swimming had become incredibly popular. In 1889, the first international competitions took place in Budapest. A year later, the European Championship was played for the first time. (From 1926 to 1981 it was held every 4 years, at present - once every 2 years.)

In 1908 created International Amateur Swimming Federation(FINA), which contributed to the streamlining of competitive practice and the registration of records, and in 1924 - European Swimming League(LINEN). Currently, there are 181 national federations in FINA, and 50 in LEN.

The first ever world swimming championship took place only in 1973 - in Belgrade (Yugoslavia). The following world championships were played at intervals of two to five years. In July 2003, the tenth anniversary championship was held in Barcelona (Spain), but not as a separate swimmers competition, but as part of the FINA World Swimming Championships. water sports sports (its program also includes water polo, synchronized swimming and diving). Most world awards famous swimmer from the GDR Michael Gross - 13 (5 + 5 + 3). His compatriot Cornelia Ender has 10 medals, 8 of which are gold. Among men, American James Montgomery most often (6 times) won the world "gold".

In the first half of the 20th century, swimming was most developed in England, Germany, Hungary, the USA, Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan. Over time, Soviet (Russian) swimmers entered the world elite, and at the end of the 20th century, Chinese athletes.

Swimming at the Olympics.

Included in the Olympic program from the first Games (1896), where athletes competed - without division into swimming styles - at distances of 100, 500 and 1200 m. There was also a swim for sailors - at a hundred meters in clothes. Swimmers performed in difficult conditions: in the open sea, in cool April water and in adverse weather. Hungarian Alfred Hayosh distinguished himself. Having won "gold" in swimming at 100 m, he became the first ever Olympic champion among swimmers, and then repeated his success at a distance of 1200 m. In terms of the total number of awards, Greek swimmers excelled: 8 medals (but their delegation was the most representative, and only three Greeks took part in the sailors' swim.)

At the Olympic Games-1900, backstroke (200 m) was singled out as a separate type of program, which included only seven numbers. The victory was won by the German Ernst Hoppenberg, who won the "gold" in the team relay. The Paris Olympics also featured a 60m underwater and 200m hurdles swim. These disciplines aroused considerable interest among the audience, but they were no longer included in the Olympic program. Another type of program unusual by modern standards is the 4000m freestyle swim. Here, as in the 1000m swim, there was no equal to the Englishman John Jarvis. The hosts of the Games collected the largest harvest of awards in swimming (5), but in terms of the number of gold medals they lost to Germany, Great Britain and Australia, who won two "gold" each.

The vast majority of participants in the Games in St. Louis (1904) were Americans, and only four American teams participated in the swimming team relay race. The hosts, who won 14 medals (among them Charles Daniels, who won all 3 American "gold" - including the relay, as well as "silver" and "bronze"), were competed by athletes from Germany and Hungary: first of all, who won two top awards Emil Rausch and Zoltan Halmai. At the 1904 Olympics, breaststroke made its debut as an Olympic discipline - for a distance of 440 yards (distances in all nine numbers in St. Louis were measured in yards).

Daniels and Halmai repeated their success at the 1906 Interim Olympics: the first in the 100-meter freestyle, the second in the 4x250 m team relay. They also led the main fight in the 100-meter "free" distance at the 1908 Olympic Games in London: Halmai lost only 0.6 seconds to his opponent. Englishman Henry Taylor became the "golden" record holder among swimmers: 3 championship titles (including the relay race) - exactly half of the total "gold". And this time the home team turned out to be the strongest among the swimming teams.

At the Olympic Games in Stockholm (1912), the first women's swimming competition was held. The representative of Australasia (the combined team of Australia and New Zealand) Fanny Durek excelled in the 100-meter freestyle. British athletes won the 4x100 team relay. In the men's competition, which included seven numbers, the German Walter Bath and the Canadian George Hodgson received two gold medals each. German swimmers were the most successful in the team event: 7 medals (2+3+2). The athletes of Australasia had one less "silver".

The heroine of the 1920 Olympics was the American swimmer Etelda Bleibtreu, who won three of the three possible women's gold medals (2 + 1), while setting three world records and finishing with a solid advantage each time. Three "gold" was won by her compatriot Norman Ross. Duke Kahanamoku scored twice: in his signature 100-meter freestyle and in the relay. In the team standings, US swimmers were out of competition, receiving more than half of all awards: including eight (out of ten) gold. The Swedes, thanks to Hakan Malmroth, who took two "gold" in the breaststroke, were the second.

At the Paris Olympics (1924), the Americans won 9 top awards. The legendary Johnny Weissmuller won the 100m and 400m freestyle (with an Olympic record), as well as the 4x200 relay (world record). He made history as the first swimmer to swim the 100m freestyle in less than 1 minute and the 400m in less than 5 minutes (thanks to an innovation: the six-stroke freestyle). At OI-1924, 3 world records in swimming and 9 Olympic records were set. And the Olympic swimming program presented in Paris (11 numbers) remained unchanged until the mid-1950s.

At the 1928 Olympics, Weissmuller added two more gold medals (1+1) to his collection. His teammates George Kojach, Albina Osipovich and Marta Norelius also received two "gold" medals. In the overall standings, the US swimmers were again the best, although this time their advantage was not so convincing, and the geography of the winners turned out to be extensive: the USA, Sweden, Germany, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Japan.

The Japanese, in 1928 for the first time among the winners, on next Games became the best in the overall standings, although in women's swimming the Americans still dominated, and Helen Madison managed to win three "golds". Japanese swimmers excelled in five (out of six) types of men's swimming. At the same time, the result shown by 14-year-old Kusuo Kitamura (the youngest champion in the history of men's Olympic swimming) at a distance of 1500 m freestyle (19 min 12.4 sec) will be surpassed at the Olympics only after 20 years, and in the relay race Japanese swimmers have improved Olympic record four years ago (updating the world record) by almost 40 seconds!

Swimmers from Japan also distinguished themselves at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin: out of 11 medals they won - 4 of the highest standard. The same amount of "gold" turned out to be in the piggy bank of the Netherlands national team, and all of it was obtained by the women's team, and Rie Mastenbroek became the three-time champion of the Games (2 + 1).

In the first post-war Olympics, Japanese and German athletes did not take part, which - in part - allowed the US swimming team to regain lost ground. AT men's swimming all six championship titles went to the Americans. The second and third places in the overall standings were taken by the national teams of Denmark and the Netherlands - thanks to the successful performance of the women's teams.

The Americans were the first at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. The Hungarian team, which took second place, lost quite a bit to the leaders, and in terms of the number of top awards (4), it was on a par with them. The success of the Hungarian team was also entirely ensured by women.

OI-1956 in Melbourne was marked by the first change in the swimming program in many years: the butterfly was added to it, recognized as a separate style - 100 m for women and 200 m for men. The Americans, who have repeatedly achieved success in new types, have not changed traditions this time either. Nevertheless, in the overall standings, they were confidently beaten by the host team (half of the "women's" and almost all of the "male" "gold"), which included many capable swimmers. Murray Rose excelled in three types of the program, including the relay (Rose and some of his teammates will replenish their "gold stock" at the next Games). Two titles each (Indian and Estonian) were won by Lorraine Krapp and the young Dawn Fraser (the Australian child prodigy will win two more top awards at the Olympic Games in Rome and Tokyo, thus becoming the first swimmer to win three Olympics, she is also the first of athletes will “swim out” from a minute in the 100-meter race).

In 1960, the men's and women's 4x100 m medley relay was included in the Olympic program. In 1964, three more numbers were added, and in 1968, 11 at once, bringing their total number to 29. True, in 1976 the program was slightly reduced (26).

At the 1960 Olympics, the US team took revenge on the Australians for losing in Melbourne. In Olympic swimming, another era of American dominance began, lasting almost 20 years. At the 1964 Olympics, four gold medals (2 + 2) were won by a young American swimmer Donald Schollander (he will receive another “gold” at the next Games). His teammate Steve Clark received all three of his "gold" for the relay, Sharon Stauder's indicators, respectively, 1 + 2.

A noticeable "increase" in swimming disciplines at the Olympic Games led to the fact that two or three "gold" of one swimmer was no longer perceived as an exceptional achievement. So, at the 1968 Olympics, the Americans Charles Hickcox and Debbie Meyer won three titles each, and 12 swimmers became twice champions. Among them are the legendary Mark Spitz (USA) and Roland Matthes (GDR), for whom this was the beginning of a great Olympic success.

Having won 7 more titles (4 + 3) in Munich (1972) - and setting seven world records at the same time - Spitz became the absolute "gold" record holder among Olympic swimmers. Shane Gould and Melissa Belote received 3 titles each. At the 1976 Olympics, Jim Montgomery (USA), the first in history to swim out of 50 seconds in the 100m freestyle, received three "gold", and his teammate John Naber - four.

Australian swimmers were runners-up in four consecutive Games (1960–1972). But in Montreal-76, they were squeezed out by the athletes of the GDR team (18 of its 19 awards were won by women: Cornelia Ender especially distinguished herself: four “golds” and “silver” - and Ulrike Richter: three “golds”). At the Moscow Olympics (1980), swimmers from the GDR - in the absence of their main rivals, the Americans - took first place. And again, largely thanks to the swimmers who set 6 world records. Some of them won three "gold" each, and in six types of the program the entire pedestal belonged to the representatives of the GDR. Three "golds" (in the 400 and 1500 m freestyle swimming and in the 4x200 relay race) were won by the outstanding Soviet swimmer Vladimir Salnikov, who in the final swim at 1500 m for the first time in history "surfaced" from 15 minutes.

At the Olympic Games-1984, due to the "reciprocal" boycott of the countries of the Eastern Bloc, the athletes of the GDR were not included. The Americans again became the best in the Olympic pool. The program was again increased to 29 numbers, and a significant clarification was made to the rules: from now on, no more than two athletes could represent one country in each swimming discipline.

At the 1988 Olympics, swimmers (or rather, swimmers) of the GDR again became leaders, in 1992 our swimmers turned out to be the strongest of all, and the next two Olympics were again for the Americans. Significantly added to the con. 80 - early. 90s athletes from Hungary, the USSR (Russia) and China. In 2000, the Australian swimmers again forced themselves to talk about themselves, having become second in the team standings in Sydney.

In the individual standings in Seoul (1988), Matt Biondi was out of competition, adding 5 more top awards (2 + 3) to the “gold” of the previous Olympics, while setting five records (four of them are world records), and swimmer Christine Otto from the GDR - 6 gold medals (2+4) and four Olympic records. American Janet Evans (whose three world records have not yet been surpassed) received her first three "golds". Two champions of the past Olympics also distinguished themselves: our Vladimir Salnikov and Michael Gross (Germany).

At the 1992 Olympics, athletes from China won four "gold", confirming that their success in Seoul was not accidental. Evans received one more "gold", two - Biondi, Hungarian Kristina Egerzhegy (3 titles) continued her "championship initiative" of the previous Olympic Games - the Atlanta Olympics will bring her another top award (her record in 200m backstroke is still unshakable ). Her compatriot Tamas Darny also distinguished himself, who also repeated his Olympic success in combined swimming at 200 and 400 m. The Russian men's team performed powerfully in Barcelona ( see below).

One of the sensations in Atlanta-96 was Irish swimmer Michelle Smith (3 golds and 1 bronze), who was not among the favorites before the Games. American Amy van Dyken received four top awards (2 + 2). Russian Alexander Popov added two medals to his gold collection.

The last Games of the XX century. swimmers marked many records: 15 world, 38 Olympic and 74 continental. Three world records on account of the Dutchwoman Inge de Bruijn, who won three "gold" and "silver", and her compatriot Pieter van den Hoogenband (2 gold awards and 2 "bronze"). Three times became the first (and once - the third) American Jenny Thompson, twice at the same time setting a world record. Team USA veteran Dara Torres has won the most medals in the Olympic pool: 5 (2 golds and 3 bronzes). And the hosts scored "swimmer of the 21st century" Ian Thorpe: three top awards and two world records.

At the 1988 and 1992 Games, the program grew again: 31 numbers. In Atlanta and Sydney, swimmers have already competed for 32 sets of awards: 16 for men and women, and at OI-04 there will be even more: 40!

In the entire history of Olympic swimming (through 2000), the US team won the most awards: 439 (195 + 140 + 104), noticeably breaking away from the second-placed Australians, who have 140 medals (44 + 46 + 50). In the "individual standings" in terms of the number of Olympic "gold" Spitz is still out of competition: 9 medals (of which 7 were received at one Olympics - also a record). Egerzegi has won the most titles in the individual events of the program (5). And by the total number Olympic awards Spitz and Biondi have the same score - 11 (eight of Biondi's eleven awards are gold).

World records.

The progress of world swimming is clearly confirmed by the dynamics of record figures in its various types. For example, Hungarian Alfred Hajos won the 100-meter freestyle at the 1896 Games in a time of 1 minute 22.2 seconds. The 2000 Olympic champion Dutchman Pieter van den Hoogenband covered the same distance almost twice as fast: in 47.84 seconds (a new Olympic and world record).

Most world records (42) have been set by the Danish Ragnhilda Hweger today - in the period from 1936 to 1942. Among male swimmers, the Swede Arne Borg remains the most prolific record holder: 32 records (from 1921 to 1929).

World records in modern swimming are registered separately in pools of 25 and 50 m.

Table 1. World records - POOL (50 meters)

Table 1. POOL (50 meters)
MEN
Program type	Athlete (the country)	Result	the date	Location of the record
50 w.st.	A.Popov (Russia)	0:21.64	16.06.00	Moscow, Russia)
100 w.st.	P. Hugenband (Netherlands)	0:47.84	19.09.00	Sydney, Australia)
200 w.st.	J. Thorp (Australia)	1:44.06	25.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
400 w.st	J. Thorp (Australia)	3:40.08	30.07.02	Manchester (UK)
800 w.st.	J. Thorp (Australia)	7:39.16	24.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
1500 w.st.	G. Hackett (Australia)	14:34.56	29.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
50 sp.	L.Kreizelburg (USA)	0:24.99	28.08.99	Sydney, Australia)
100 sp.	L.Kreizelburg (USA)	0:53.60	24.08.99	Sydney, Australia)
200 sp.	A. Peirsol (USA)	1:55.15	20.03.02	Minneapolis (USA)
50 br.	O. Lisogor (Ukraine)	0:27.18	02.08.02	Berlin, Germany)
100 br.	R.Sludnov (Russia)	0:59.94	23.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
200 br.	D. Komornikov (Russia)	2:09.52	14.06.03	Barcelona, Spain)
50 baht.	J. Hugill (Australia)	0:23.44	27.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
100 baht.	M. Klim (Australia)	0:51.81	12.12.99	Canberra (Australia)
200 baht.	M.Phelps (USA)	1:54.58	24.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
200 comb.	J. Sievinen (Finland)	1:58.16	11.09.94	Rome, Italy)
400 comb.	M.Phelps (USA)	4:10.73	08.04.03	Indianapolis (USA)
MEN RELAY
4x100 w.st.	Australia	03:13.67	16.09.00	Sydney, Australia)
4x200 w.st.	Australia	07:04.66	27.07.01	Fukuoka (Japan)
4x100 comb.	USA	03:33.48	29.08.02	Yokohama (Japan)
WOMEN
50 w.st.	I.de Bruijn (Netherlands)	0:24.13	22.09.00	Sydney, Australia)
100 w.st.	I.de Bruijn (Netherlands)	0:53.77	20.09.00	Sydney, Australia)
200 w.st.	F. van Almsik (Germany)	1:56.64	03.08.02	Berlin, Germany)
400 w.st.	J. Evans (USA)	4:03.85	22.09.88	Seoul (Korea)
800 w.st.	J. Evans (USA)	8:16.22	20.08.89	Tokyo, Japan)
1500 w.st.	J. Evans (USA)	15:52.10	26.03.88	Orlando (USA)
50 sp.	S.Volker (Germany)	0:28.25	17.06.00	Berlin, Germany)
100 sp.	N.Coglin (USA)	0:59.58	13.08.02	Fort Lauderdale (USA)
200 sp.	K.Egerzhegy (Hungary)	2:06.62	25.08.91	Athens, Greece)
50 br.	Z.Baker (Great Britain)	0:30.57	30.07.02	Manchester (UK)
100 br.	P. Hines (South Africa)	1:06.52	23.08.99	Canberra (Australia)
200 br.	C. Hui (China)	2:22.99	13.04.01	Guangzhou (China)
50 baht	A. Kammerling (Sweden)	0:25.57	30.07.00	Berlin, Germany)
100 baht.	I.de Bruijn (Netherlands)	0:56.61	17.09.00	Sydney, Australia)
200 baht.	O.Jedrzeszczak (Poland)	2:05.78	04.08.02	Berlin, Germany)
200 comb.	Ya.Wu (China)	2:09.72	17.10.97	Shanghai (China)
400 comb.	Ya.Klochkova (Ukraine)	4:33.59	16.09.00	Sydney, Australia)
WOMEN: RELAY
4x100 w.st.	Germany	3:36.00	29.07.02	Berlin, Germany)
4x200 w.st	GDR	7:55.47	18.08.87	Strasbourg (Belgium)
4x100 comb.	USA	3:58.30	23.09.00	Sydney, Australia)

Table 2. World records - POOL (25 meters)

Table 2. POOL (25 meters)
Program type	Athlete (the country)	Result	the date	Location of the record
MEN
50 w.st.	M. Foster (Great Britain)	0:21.13	28.01.01	Paris, France)
100 w.st.	A.Popov (Russia)	0:46.74	19.03.94	Gelsenkirchen (Germany)
200 w.st.	J. Thorp (Australia)	1:41.10	06.02.00	Berlin, Germany)
400 w.st.	G. Hackett (Australia)	3:34.58	18.07.02	Sydney, Australia)
800 w.st.	G. Hackett (Australia)	7:25.28	03.08.01	Perth (Australia)
1500 w.st.	G. Hackett (Australia)	14:10.10	07.08.01	Perth (Australia)
50 sp.	M.Welsh (Australia)	0:23.31	02.09.02	Melbourne (Australia)
100 sp.	T. Ruppratt (Germany)	0:50.58	08.12.02	Melbourne (Australia)
200 sp.	A. Peirsol (USA)	1:51.17	07.04.02	Moscow, Russia)
50 br.	O. Lisogor (Ukraine)	0:26.20	26.01.02	Berlin, Germany)
100 br.	E. Moses (USA)	0:57.47	23.01.02	Stockholm, Sweden)
200 br.	E. Moses (USA)	2:03.17	26.01.02	Berlin, Germany)
50 baht.	J. Hugill (Australia)	0:22.74	26.01.02	Berlin, Germany)
100 baht.	T. Ruppratt (Germany)	0:50.10	27.01.02	Berlin, Germany)
200 baht.	F. Esposito (France)	1:50.73	08.12.02	Antibes (France)
100 comb.	T. Ruppratt (Germany)	0:52.58	25.01.03	Berlin, Germany)
200 comb.	J. Sievinen (Finland)	1:54.65	21.04.94	Kuopio (Finland)
200 comb.	A.Gene (Hungary)	1:54.65	23.03.00	Minneapolis (USA)
400 comb.	B. Jones (Canada)	4:02.72	21.02.03	Victoria (Canada)
MEN RELAY
4x50 w.st.	USA	1:26.78	23.03.00	Minneapolis (USA)
4x100 w.st	Sweden	3:09.57	16.03.00	Athens, Greece)
4x200 w.st.	Australia	6:56.41	07.08.01	Perth (Australia)
4x50 combo	Germany	1:34.72	13.12.02	Riesa (Germany)
4x100 comb.	Australia	3:28.12	04.09.02	Melbourne (Australia)
WOMEN
50 w.st.	T. Alshammar (Sweden)	0:23.59	18.03.00	Athens, Greece)
100 w.st.	T. Alshammar (Sweden)	0:52.17	17.03.00	Athens, Greece)
200 w.st.	L.Benko (USA)	1:54.04	07.04.02	Moscow, Russia)
400 w.st.	L.Benko (USA)	3:59.53	26.01.03	Berlin, Germany)
800 w.st.	S. Yamada (Japan)	8:14.35	02.04.02	Tokyo, Japan)
1500 w.st.	P. Schneider (GDR)	15:43.31	10.01.82	Gainesville (USA)
50 sp.	H.Li (China)	0:26.83	02.12.01	Shanghai (China)
100 sp.	N.Coglin (USA)	0:56.71	23.11.02	New York, USA)
200 sp.	N.Coglin (USA)	2:03.62	27.11.01	New York, USA)
50 br.	E. Igelstrom (Sweden)	0:29.96	04.04.02	Moscow, Russia)
100 br.	E. Igelstrom (Sweden)	1:05.11	16.03.03	Stockholm, Sweden)
200 br.	C. Hui (China)	2:18.86	02.12.02	Shanghai (China)
50 baht.	A.K. Kammerling (Sweden)	0:25.36	25.01.01	Stockholm, Sweden)
100 baht.	N.Coglin (USA)	0:56.34	22.11.02	New York, USA)
200 baht.	S. O'Neill (Australia)	2:04.16	18.01.00	Sydney, Australia)
100 comb.	N.Coglin (USA)	0:58.80	23.11.02	New York, USA)
200 comb.	E. Wagner (USA)	2:07.79	05.12.93	Palma de Mallorca (Spain)
400 comb.	Ya.Klochkova (Ukraine)	4:27.83	19.01.02	Paris, France)
WOMEN: RELAY
4x50 w.st.	Sweden	1:38.21	15.12.00	Valencia (Spain)
4x100 w.st.	China	3:34.55	19.04.97	Gothenburg (Sweden)
4x200 w.st.	China	7:46.30	03.04.02	Moscow, Russia)
4x50 combo	Sweden	1:48.31	16.12.00	Valencia (Spain)
4x100 comb.	Sweden	3:55.78	05.04.02	Moscow, Russia)
Data as of 01.07.03.

Swimming in Russia.

pre-revolutionary period.

Our ancestors practiced various ways swimming: with a frog (an analogue of the modern breaststroke), on the side, like a dog, with saplings, etc. In the 18–19 centuries. swimming in Russia was cultivated primarily in the military environment. It is known that Peter I and A. Suvorov paid great attention to training soldiers in swimming skills, and in the 19th century. competitions were even held in the sapper units of the Russian army.

The first swimming school in Russia opened in 1825 in St. Petersburg. And Thevenot's book was the first printed Russian-language manual on teaching swimming. In 1891, the country's first indoor swimming pool opened in Moscow. Three years later, in St. Petersburg, on the Slavyanka River, the first competitions were held.

In 1908, the Shuvalov swimming school was opened in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, which became the most famous of such institutions in pre-revolutionary Russia. Soon, the Moscow Society of Swimming Fans began to operate in Moscow. In 1913, competitions between swimmers from Moscow and St. Petersburg were held on Shuvalovskoye Lake. In the same year in Kyiv (within the framework of the first Russian Olympiad) the country's championship in swimming was played for the first time with the participation of several dozen athletes.

In general, sports swimming was not very developed in pre-revolutionary Russia. The swimming season was limited to the warm season (there were few indoor pools), respectively, the athletes trained in the summer and could not keep in shape at the proper level, which is also confirmed by the experience of our swimmers participating in OI-1912.

Swimming in the USSR.

The first swimming competitions in the USSR were held in 1918 in Moscow. In 1920, the Dolphin sports society was created in Petrograd, which had an outdoor swimming pool and became one of the centers for the development of national swimming. A little later in Moscow, and then in other cities, their own swimming schools began to open. The first Soviet swimmers were also actively engaged in diving and water polo).

In 1923, the first USSR championship between teams from different cities was held in Moscow, in which athletes from Petrograd won. The All-Russian Spartakiad of 1928 contributed to the further popularization of swimming in the country (after that, USSR championships began to be held regularly). Of great importance was the fact that swimming was included in the general education program and in the TRP complex (Ready for Labor and Defense). In 1927, the country's first winter (25-meter) swimming pool. In the early 30s, several indoor pools were being built in Moscow.

Some of the results shown by our swimmers in the 1930s surpassed European and world records. The first to achieve this was the multiple champion of the USSR Claudia Aleshina, who in 1935 set the all-Union record in swimming on her back at 400 m (in total, Aleshina had 180 country records) - 6 minutes 7.2 seconds, which exceeded the then world record by more than 5 seconds. Semyon Boychenko broke world records 8 times in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and butterfly. 13 times improved world records Leonid Meshkov.

A new stage in the history of Soviet navigation begins after the Great Patriotic War. The competition is resuming. Winter and summer pools are under construction. In 1947, the All-Union Swimming Section of the USSR (since 1959 - the All-Union Swimming Federation) joined FINA, and two years later - LEN. In 1952, our swimmers made their debut at the Olympic Games, and in 1954 at the European Championship.

Our first Olympic success came in 1956, when Kharis Yunichev became third in the 200m breaststroke, and our team won bronze medals in the 4x200 freestyle relay. In the team standings, the Soviet swimmers team took 7th place.

The real take-off of domestic swimming in the international arena began in the 60s. Galina Stepanova-Prozumenshchikova in 1964 received our first Olympic "gold" in swimming - at a distance of 200 m breaststroke, "bronze" went to Svetlana Babanina. In men, Georgy Prokopenko was second at the same distance. The Soviet swimmers were also third in the 4x100 freestyle medley relay.

Prozumenshchikova at the next two Olympics will add two silver and two bronze medals to her piggy bank. Was twice second in Mexico City-68 - in breaststroke - Vladimir Kossinsky. Nikolai Pankin received "bronze". In addition, the men's swimming team received a silver and two bronze medals in the relay races in Mexico City, as well as a silver and a bronze medal in Munich. Another success of the 1972 Olympics was Vladimir Bure's third place in the 100-meter freestyle.

In 1976, our women's trio Marina Koshevaya, Marina Yurchenya and Lyubov Rusanova confidently performed at the Olympic Games, taking the first three places in the 200 m breaststroke, while Koshevaya set a new world record. Rusanova and Koshevaya also received "silver" and "bronze" in the 100-meter breaststroke. The overall result of the performance of our swimmers in Montreal is 9 medals (1+3+5) and the third place in the team standings in swimming.

Eight victories were won by Soviet swimmers at the Moscow Olympics. First of all - the success of Vladimir Salnikov, who became a three-time champion of the Games (twice in the individual events and once in the relay race) and set a world record in swimming in the 1500 m freestyle. At the 1988 Olympics, he won another "gold". Igor Polyansky excelled in Seoul in the 200m backstroke.

The modern stage in the development of domestic swimming.

The All-Russian Swimming Federation was established in 1993. It is headed by G.P. Aleshin (he is also vice-president of LEN and a member of the FINA bureau). The Federation holds the national championship, open water swimming competitions (including marathon distances), raffles the championship among universities, the championship of the Armed Forces of Russia and among veterans, the Cup of Russia among federal districts etc. Many international competitions take place in Russia.

In the 1990s, our swimmers achieved considerable success in the international arena, including at the Olympics. In Barcelona-92, where we competed as the Unified Team of the CIS countries, Evgeny Sadovyi, who became the first three times (including the relay), and Alexander Popov, who won 2 "gold", distinguished themselves. At the same time, Sadovy set two world records. In total, our swimmers won 10 medals (6 + 3 + 1) and took first place in the team event.

His success - at the same distances - Popov repeated at the Games in Atlanta-96. His teammate Denis Pankratov put an end to American hegemony in two more events: the 100m and 200m butterfly. Having received a total of 8 medals (4 + 2 + 2), the Russian swimming team became the second.

The performance of the Russians in Sydney 2000 was unsuccessful: only "silver" Popov and "bronze" Roman Sludnov.

The most titled of the current Russian swimmers is Popov, who, in addition to the Olympic Games, won European and world championships more than once and set many world records (his achievement in the 100-meter freestyle in short water, set in March 1994, has still not been achieved by anyone surpass).

Konstantin Petrov