Swimming at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Lore & Background

The swimming program schedule occurred in two segments, with prelims in the afternoon and semifinals and finals in the evening and night session. This scheduling was influenced by NBC's substantial fees for broadcast rights, as the IOC allowed NBC to have influence on event scheduling to maximize U.S. television ratings. NBC had agreed to a $7.75 billion contract extension on May 7, 2014, to air the Olympics through the 2032 games.

Reader's Guide

The 2016 swimming competition featured 32 events, mirroring the 2012 format. Qualification procedures were governed by FINA By-Law BL 9.3.6.4, allowing each country up to two swimmers per individual event and one per relay, with a maximum team size of 52 (26 males and 26 females). Qualifying times were posted on January 15, 2015, with two standards: Olympic Qualifying Time and Olympic Selection Time. Relay events comprised 16 teams, with 12 from the 2015 World Championships and 4 fastest non-qualified teams. The host nation Brazil received a guaranteed quota place if it did not qualify any. A total of 906 swimmers competed, and all world records set were also Olympic records.

Did You Know?

• The swimming competitions took place from 6 to 13 August 2016 at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
• A total of 32 events were contested, with 16 each for men and women.
• The schedule was influenced by NBC's broadcast rights, which included a $7.75 billion contract extension on May 7, 2014.
• Each country could enter up to two swimmers per individual event and one per relay, with a maximum team of 52 athletes.