MAIN Sports 2012 Summer Olympics Swimming

Swimming and diving were contested as sports dating back to ancient Greece.

Today, water is the main draw at the the Summer Olympic where swim meets, aquatic and Olympic diving venues remain the home of some of the most popular events.

However, fans may be surprised to learn that Olympic swimmers weren't always treated like the sports heroes that they are today. At the first modern Olympics in 1896, the swimmers were dumped into the water from a yacht — and required to swim to shore for their share of Olympic gold.

Thankfully, the sport no longer treats modern Olympians like a barrel of fish!

Yet the drama and excitement survive as talented swimmers from around the world battle for position with other world class athletes at the Olympic Games.

In 2012, more than 800 swimmers meet in London to compete in more than 30 events over distances ranging from 50m to 1500m.

They include freestyle, breastroke, butterfly, and backstroke races, along with medley events where athletes are tested to the limit by combining all four strokes during a furious swim to the finish line.

Team USA - Michael Phelps

Arriving on the world scene during the 2004 Sydney games, American star performer Michael Phelps continued to break records around the world leading up to the Beijing Games in 2008.

Phelps not only led his team to victory in 2008, but ultimately eclipsed the seven-gold medal champion Mark Spitz by taking a record eight golds in Beijing.

The excitment is far from over, however, as Phelps is now poised to break even more Olympic records in London during the 2012 Games.

Meanwhile, around the Web dive into a world of resources with more information on Olympic swimming events and schedules, as well as the star athletes who will once again dazzle spectators during the 2012 Summer Games....

More about Olympic swimming & aquatic events around the Web:

International Olympic Committee - Swimming - Great coverage of both swimming and Aquatics or all of the teams including list of events, photo gallery, multiimedia presentation, technical details and related glossary.

Swim City - In addition to all the resources and information they normally have, watch for Olympic coverage showcasing the history of swimming in the Summer Games, along with records, competition schedules, venues and more.

BBC - Olympics - Swimming - The latest updates, photo galleries & video, and if you're a novice swimming fan check out the excellent beginner's guide...

Amateur Swimming Association - British Olympic swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and paralymics coverage, along with national competition & events, photos & profiles.

USA Swimming - The official Team USA site with excellent coverage of US issues and swimmers offering a good look behind the scenes with the team as they compete. Results, athlete photos & bios, and lots more updated often.

Swim Info - You'll find all the Team USA Olympics information you want on this online version of Swimming World with updates team members, the coaches and other diving and swimming updates.