Olympic Distance Swimming Event DistancesOlympic Distance Swimming Event Distances The Olympic Games feature a range of swimming distances, each requiring varying levels of speed, stamina, and endurance: | Race | Rounds | Miles | |—|—|—| | 50m | 1 | 0.03 | | 100m | 2 | 0.06 | | 200m | 4 | 0.12 | | 400m | 8 | 0.25 | | 800m | 16 | 0.50 | | 1500m | 30 | 0.93 | Olympic Swimming Pool Dimensions * Length: 50 meters (approximately 164 feet) Conversions * 1500 meters = 0.93 miles (approximately 30 laps in an Olympic-sized pool) * 800 meters = 0.497 miles (approximately 16 laps in an Olympic-sized pool) * 400 meters = 0.249 miles (approximately 8 laps in an Olympic-sized pool) * 200 meters = 0.124 miles (approximately 4 laps in an Olympic-sized pool) Olympic Distance Records * 1500m Freestyle: 14:31.02 (men), 15:35.35 (women) * 800m Freestyle: 7:41.28 (men), 8:04.79 (women) * 400m Freestyle: 3:40.14 (men), 3:56.46 (women) * 200m Freestyle: 1:42.96 (men), 1:53.50 (women)
All eyes are on the pool in Paris as the Summer Olympics get underway, promising an exciting two weeks.
Virtually every Olympic swimmer can do things that the rest of us simply can’t. Whether it’s the stamina to swim long distances or the strength and agility to swim a short distance at breakneck speed, every swimmer in Paris is there because of an otherworldly ability.
The feats of Olympic swimmers are perhaps even more impressive when you consider how far they actually have to swim, balancing speed and endurance.
Below you will find a complete guide to every Olympic distance swimming event, with conversions from meters to lanes and miles.
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Olympic distance swimming competitions
| Race | Rounds | Miles |
| 50m | 1 | 0.03 |
| 100m | 2 | 0.06 |
| 200m | 4 | 0.12 |
| 400m | 8 | 0.25 |
| 800m | 16 | 0.50 |
| 1500m | 30 | 0.93 |
Swimming competitions at the Olympic Games range from 50 meters (one lane) to 1,500 meters (30 laps and almost a mile).
Length of the Olympic swimming pool
An Olympic swimming pool is 50 meters, or about 164 feet, from end to end. The shortest Olympic race is only 50 meters, or one lap.
Two laps, where a swimmer swims from one end of the pool to the other and back, is 100 meters, or about 328 feet.
1500 meters to miles
1500 meters is approximately 0.93 miles. That means that 30 laps in an Olympic-sized pool equates to just under a full mile, making the 1500m freestyle a true test of endurance and determination for swimmers.
To swim a full mile, a swimmer must swim approximately 1,610 meters, or just over 32 laps in an Olympic-sized pool.
The Olympic record for the 1500 meter freestyle is 14:31.02 for men and 15:35.35 for women.
How many laps is 1500 meters of swimming?
1500 meters is equivalent to 30 laps in an Olympic swimming pool.
800 meters to miles
800 meters is 0.497 miles, so each 800 meter race is essentially half a mile and a significant test of your endurance in itself.
The Olympic record for the 800 meter freestyle is 7:41.28 for men and 8:04.79 for women.
How many laps is 800 meters of swimming?
800 meters is equivalent to 16 laps in an Olympic swimming pool. Swimmers must swim to the end of the pool and back eight times to complete an 800 meter race.
400 meters to miles
400 meters is 0.249 miles, which is actually a quarter of a mile.
The Olympic record for the 400 meter freestyle is 3:40.14 for men and 3:56.46 for women.
How many laps is 400 meters of swimming?
A 400 meter race consists of eight laps. This means that swimmers go to one end of the pool and back again four times during the race.
200 meters to miles
200 meters is 0.124 miles, which is actually one-eighth of a mile.
The Olympic record for the 200 meter freestyle is 1:42.96 for men and 1:53.50 for women.
How many laps is 200 meters of swimming?
200 meters is equivalent to four laps in an Olympic pool. This means that swimmers in a 200-meter race have to go to the end of the pool and back twice.
