Swimming at the 1908 Summer Olympics

This was likely the best international swimming meet to the date. All of the top swimmers of Britain, Australia, Sweden, the United States, and Hungary were present. The races were held in the 100 metre long pool which was erected in the infield of the White City Stadium, just inside the running track, on the west side of the stadium.

The quality of competition was excellent. Although at this time, world records were not ratified by any organized group, in all six races, the winning time was considered to be a world record. During the 1908 Olympics, however, specifically on 19 July, representatives from England, Ireland, Wales, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Hungary, France and Denmark gathered and formed the international swimming federation which has since become known as the Fédération Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA).