How to Become an Olympic Swimmer

If swimming is your passion and it is something at which you excel, you may wish to become an Olympic swimmer. This dream is possible, though it does require a lot of work and dedication, and you have to start young. Read on to learn how to be an Olympic swimmer.

Instructions

1. Choose the event in which you excel. The Olympic events are freestyle (50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 meters for women and men and up to 1500 meters for men), backstroke (100 and 200 meters), breast stroke (100 and 200 meters), butterfly (100 and 200 meters) and 200 and 400 meter individual medleys.

2. Join your school swimming team if your school offers one. If not, join the one at the local YMCA or Boys and Girls Club.

3. Practice all the time. Practice while the team practices, but also practice on your own. Even when you're on vacation or when the swimming season's passed, find a pool, stay in shape and work on improving your times.

4. Advance from competitive level to competitive level. As you grow older and your fitness level increases, you can compete in more advanced competitions.

5. Find the Local Swimming Committee in your area. That information is available at the USA Swimming website. As the site states, "Each LSC is responsible for administering USA Swimming activities in a defined geographical area and has its own set of bylaws under which it operates." Through the LSC, you can find swim clubs in the area that offer you an opportunity to advance in USA Swimming recognized events. You need to become a member before doing so.

6. Meet the Olympic Trails qualifying times for your event. Once you succeed in doing this, you are eligible to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials. The team will consist of 26 men and 260 women.

Resources

• Glen Mills Has a Helpful Article on Olympic Swimming.