At the 1904 Summer Olympics, nine swimming events were contested. The 1904 swimming competition was the only time in Olympic history that racing distances were measured in yards. The competition was held September 4–6, 1904. There was a total of 32 participants from 5 countries competing. Olympedia classifies the plunge for distance event at the 1904 Games as a swimming competition, resulting in the USA being credited with one additional medal of any color in swimming rather than in diving. The swimming competitions comprised 9 or 10 events, depending on whether the plunge for distance is classified as a swimming or diving event, and were held in a man-made lake used by the Coast Guard for lifesaving exhibitions.
The short sprint, at , made its first Olympic appearance in 1904. The 100 returned after not being contested in 1900. The 1000 metres and 4000 metres were replaced with the much shorter and events, making the 200 the only freestyle event to be held for the second time in a row.
The 200 metre backstroke was shortened to and the team swimming event was replaced with a 4 × 50 yard freestyle relay. The obstacle course and underwater swimming events were eliminated, while breaststroke made its Olympic debut.
Medal table Sources:
Medal summary 50 yard freestyle 100 yard freestyle 220 yard freestyle 440 yard freestyle 880 yard freestyle 1 mile freestyle 100 yard backstroke 440 yard breaststroke 4 × 50 yard freestyle relay New York Athletic ClubJoe RuddyLeo GoodwinLouis HandleyCharles Daniels Chicago Athletic AssociationDavid HammondBill TuttleHugo GoetzRaymond Thorne Missouri Athletic ClubAmedee ReyburnGwynne EvansMarquard SchwarzBill Orthwein
Participating nations 32 swimmers from 5 nations competed.
References