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The history of Aquatics had early beginnings — Egyptian hieroglyphics showing people swimming were discovered as early as 2500 BC. Later, around 400 BC, records show the Egyptians and Romans diving off cliffs for fun! The Romans introduced swimming to Britain as a social event. The Japanese are credited with first promoting swimming as a competitive sport.

Aquatics is a collective term for four Olympic water events: Swimming, Water Polo, Diving, and Synchronized Swimming. Did you know that swimming is one of the oldest events of the modern Olympics? It has been part of the modern Olympics since the very first modern Olympic events in 1896. Water Polo was added in 1900 during the Olympics in Paris, and Olympic diving began in 1904. It wasn’t until 1984 that Synchronized Swimming was added to the official Olympics program. Synchronized Diving and women’s Water Polo are the most recent additions, with competitions first appearing during the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia.

Among the many heroes in the history of Aquatics is the legendary Johnny Weissmuller who won five gold medals at the Olympic Games in 1924 and 1928, and set 67 world swimming records before going on to become Hollywood’s most famous Tarzan!