Swimming at the 2016 Summer Olympics

The swimming events took place mostly in the newly built Olympic Aquatics Stadium in the Olympic Park. The open water swims were held at Fort Copacabana Bay, and in the lead-up to the Rio Olympics, there was controversy about the water quality and concerns for safety of the swimmers. This turned out to be a non-factor as the water was cleaned up prior to the Olympics, and the swimmers who competed had no significant complaints.

The United States was the dominant nation, winning 33 medals and 16 gold medals, from the 34 available events. It led both the men’s and women’s tables, as the men won 17 medals and 8 golds, and the women won 16 medals and 8 golds. In a measure of absolute dominance the Americans also won the most silver medals and the most bronze medals in both genders. Australia was the next best nation, winning 10 medals and 3 golds, while Hungary, led by Katinka Hosszú, won 7 medals and 3 golds. Japan also won 7 medals, with 2 golds.

Eight world records were set in swimming at Rio de Janeiro, two by Adam Peaty in the heats and final of the 100 breaststroke, and two by Katie Ledecky, in the 400 and 800 metre freestyles. The other world records were by Sarah Sjoström in the 100 fly, by Katinka Hosszú in the 400IM, by the Australian women in the 4x100 freestyle relay, and by Ryan Murphy in the 100 backstroke, set on the opening leg of the medley relay final.

Michael Phelps came out of retirement in 2015 with an eye towards competing in Rio, and he was successful again, winning 6 medals with 5 golds, bringing his career totals to 23 gold medals and 28 medals in all. American female distance star Katie Ledecky won 4 gold medals, and 5 medals in all, while Hungary’s Hosszú won 3 gold medals and a silver. Surprising Canadian Penny Oleksiak, who had just turned 16-years-old shortly before Rio and was relatively unknown prior to 2016, won 1 gold and 4 medals.