Why It's A Good Thing if the 2028 Olympics Feels More Like Summer Swimming!
- poolschoolswim
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 12
On Wednesday, April 8th World Aquatics announced the addition of 50s in breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly to the 2028 LA Olympics swimming events. The addition of these 50s joins the 50 Freestyle, which was added to the Olympics only in 1988 (although first competed in 1904, then re-introduced in 1988).
This news was met with mixed feedback, including a strong response from one titan of the sport (Michael Phelps):
What's Wrong With Summer Swimming League?
As a current summer swim coach, mainly working with kids 10U, I can confidently say that summer swimming is an absolute BLAST! Summer swim teams create an atmosphere filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared love for the water, which is truly special.
Summer swimming is not just about the physical aspects; it also promotes social interaction and community involvement.
During the summer months, kids of all skill levels, even from other sports, come together to enjoy what the sport of swimming has to offer. It's the time where kids who deem themselves "swimmers" and those who don't can try out the sport in a fun and competitive way.
I grew up in a lake community, where all the kids would join the swim team in the summers, and then go off and focus on their main sport during the year. We even had kids who went on to play D1 baseball and football swim on our team.
This openness to swimmers of all levels is what makes it so special! It's the same openness to those who follow the sport, and those who don't, that the Olympics provides.
A Swimming Event for Everyone
As the LA Olympics approaches, adding in the additional 50s might broaden its appeal. The diverse nature of the Olympics caters to various interests, from die-hard sports fans to those who like to dip their toe in every four years.
The appeal for more 50s is they are easy to understand.
It's quick.
It's exciting.
One of my all time favorite races to watch is Caeleb Dressel's 17.63 50 Freestyle at the NCAA Championships back in 2018.
What I love about this race (aside from his incredible time!) is that even if you've never swum a 50 Freestyle before or you don't fully understand the significance of a sub-18 50 Free, you know he swam FAST!!!
Hearing the crowd roar after he touches the wall gives me a chill every time I watch the video.
I believe an issue of the sport is that not everyone understands the splits or the impressiveness of the times swum at the Olympics. Unless it's a Gold Medal, a World Record, or an Olympic Record - I'm not sure if an average viewer cares if a swimmer dropped a hundredth of a second off their best time.
This is an important gap to bridge if we want the sport to continue to grow and continue to draw viewership at the Olympics, and beyond.
The Future for Swimming and the Olympics
The decision to incorporate 50s in all strokes at the upcoming LA Olympics is undeniably bold.
However, I think as a sport we need bold! We need FUN!
Adding more 50s to the Olympics gives kids all across the globe the chance to see themselves competing at the highest level - perhaps comparing their current 50 time to that of an Olympian. Most age group swimmers compete in 50s in each stroke regularly - so this simply allows for young swimmers to see what's possible if they stick with the sport and keep working hard.
The 50s also will hopefully bring an energy and excitement to SoFi Stadium (and beyond) that will expand to the millions of people who will be watching swimming at LA2028.
Summer swim leagues are some of the most fun and exciting meets our sport has to offer! It's how I ended up falling in love with the sport, deciding to take my training up a notch and become a year-round swimmer. Summer meets are also some of my favorite meets to coach still to this day.
As the countdown to the Los Angeles Olympics begins, one thing is certain: the next chapter of swimming at the Olympics promises to be exciting, even if it does resemble summer swimming leagues!
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