Swimming is one of the few sports to be included in the Olympic Games since 1896. Since then, what uniforms the athletes wear in the water has evolved, with new technological developments literally changing the game.
World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA), the international governing body for swimming, diving and water polo, has altered the types of suits and materials allowed in competition as recently as 2010. Learn more about their dress code guidelines and how Olympic swimwear has changed.
Swimwear at the Olympics Over the Years
Racerback swimwear, created by Speedo founder Alexander MacRae, debuted at the 1928 Olympics. The silhouette, which revealed the shoulders and back, allowed for a better range of motion. At the time, though, its cut was considered controversial — swimmer Clare Dennis was nearly disqualified for showing too much shoulder while competing at the 1932 Games.
Clare Dennis was nearly disqualified for showing too much shoulder while competing at the 1932 Games.
In 1936, men eschewed the idea of a full-body suit altogether, going shirtless at the Berlin Games. This remains common today, though in 1996, the “bodysuit revolution” arrived. Some athletes at the Atlanta Games sported neck-to-knee suits and by the 2000 Olympics, swimmers started wearing full-body designs. At the time, some challenged World Aquatics’ decision to allow the new suits.
Swimmers wearing bodysuits at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
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Speedo’s LZR Racer
Swimwear manufacturer Speedo introduced the LZR Racer in 2008. NASA helped engineer the full-body suit, which decreased drag by 24 percent. Researchers tested fabrics using a wind tunnel and a water flume.
Michael Phelps models the…