The Pros and Cons of the Stroke 50s Being Added to the Olympics?
By Daniel Zeng, Swimming World Intern
More and more events have been added to the Olympic program since the first Modern Games in 1896. At those Athens Games, four events were contested, solely with men. The 100-meter freestyle, 500-meter freestyle, 1200-meter freestyle, and a “formal” sailors’ 100-meter free made up the schedule. Seventy-two years later, the number of events had nearly doubled for both men and now-eligible women. Last summer in Tokyo, three more events were added.
The trend of an increasing number of events at each Olympics is exciting.
One category of events that are discussed for Olympic inclusion are the 50s of each stroke. Already contested at the World Championships for two decades, the debate has various standpoints. Some individuals question why freestyle is the only stroke “worthy” of being raced as a 50. Meanwhile, others express that adding more events, in general, would diminish the worth of a medal.
The Argument for All-Stroke Inclusion
Proven to Work
The 50s and their short sprint qualities showcase a frenetic nature. In addition to being another type of distance to train for, the 50 freestyles we see at meets are always wild. The 50s of each of the four strokes have been highlighted in the ISL and at Worlds. Through these events, no longer were Caeleb Dressel and Sarah Sjostrom the sole focus. Breaststroke specialists Adam Peaty and Lilly King were given an opportunity to sprint. Backstrokers and flyers could display their pure speed.
Continued Competition
The addition of the 50s to the Olympic program likely would encourage older swimmers to stay in the sport. The 100s and longer pose a challenge to veterans such as Nicholas Santos. The sprint 50s are easier on the body, for both older and younger swimmers, and allow for specialists to excel.
More Nations Can Send Athletes
Not all people are as fortunate as most in the developed world to have ready access to 50-meter pools. Even with access to a lake or other body of water, the training is not the same. If all four 50s were added, developing countries and those looking to grow the sport could send athletes able to negotiate a shorter distance.
The Argument for Not Adding the Other Three 50s
No Tradition
Some say that the swimmers won’t pay much attention to these swims since they do not have an Olympic history. Many of the athletes qualify for the Olympics in multiple events and would not place attention on the 50s at the expense of a lesser performance in a primary event. For that reason, there is an argument that having the 50s available at the World Championships is enough for major competition.
Not Medal-Worthy
Putting them on the event program would seemingly diminish the worth of a medal. There is already a debate that swimming has too many events and the addition of the 50s strokes would enhance this argument.
Update
With the 2024 Olympic Games less than two years away, and the schedule already announced, the 50 strokes are out for the Paris program. The next possibility would be the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
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50 free is medal worthy, but the rest is not? Makes no sense
The 50s are amazing races, which show the swimmers quallity. It doesnt take only speed, but excellent technique, starts, underwaters.. you are not allowed to make a mistake in these races. Thats why they should be added to the Olympics
Leonard Posa – Leo, I say swim nothing under 200m, only 200-1,500??. I know you, Juan Patiño, Nina Stegu & Mariia Rezhylo would support this correct?
Merry Christmas one and all,
Allan LaPrino hahah yes for sure, 1500 is my favorite. Even better If I can do it in breastroke.
Thanks Al, merry christmas as well!! Hope you are well
Freestyle means you can swim ANY stroke of your choosing for that race so feel free to swim breaststroke in that 1500. 🙂
Allan LaPrino ? Merry Christmas Al!
Strokes and free?
I say no. Only because as a former coach- I found swimmers felt they could go all out without as much training to be an all around swimmer.
If break dancing can be an Olympic sport (lol) then an actual sport can have stroke 50’s.
Scott Richardson ☝? no kidding. I thought beach volleyball was a ridiculous addition though.
I recently learned that breakdancing will be an Olympic sport in 2024. 50s shouldn’t even be a question at this point. Stop hanging on to “tradition” for tradition’s sake.
JT Thompson hell no to 50’s…. all you have to do is be tall and streamline- there is ZERO skill in the 50s
Greg Simmon I don’t agree with that. First of all the other 3 strokes are more techincal, secondly the tallest guy/girl doesn’t always win the 50 free, third upsets are exciting!
JT Thompson – 95% of the time the tallest person wins a 50
JT Thompson if you swim a 50 you only have to perform about 2-3 rotations of a stroke before the finish. I propose getting rid of the 50 free.
Greg Simmon Nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree. If Im getting rid of anything it’s those longer distances. Casual fans bring $$ and swimmimg is too great of a sport to not do more to attract casuals. Casuals like shorter unpredictable races. That 5% that only wins on occasion is what upsets are made of.
JT Thompson so let’s have a 20 second crap shoot???? No thanks – no skill involved
JT Thompson the longer distances are for the REAL swimmers.
Greg Simmon Sorry most people are bored by longer distances, same with track and field. Most people like sprints over miles. A little extra money from casuals can only help the sport.
keep the summer-league stuff out of the Olympics…
There’s nothing “summer league” about a 22 second, long course, 50 butterfly, or Adam Peaty going 25-point in the 50 meter breaststroke. Let me know when you do that at your neighborhood summer meet. I’m sure your sponsorships will be quite lucrative.
Break Dancing??? That’s just embarrassing.
well it opens it up for Michael Andrew
If the 50s are eliminated then tracks 100 and 200 should be.
Next up…spud and kick the can.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Fake news! There are no cons to adding the 50’s.
110 % they should be added.More people will watch,not only swimmers and people related with swimming.Plus TV commercials can get involve more.And sprints are not not borring.
For anyone who argues 50s require zero skill have no idea what they are talking no about. Obviously they are not as hard as the longer events but they still require skill. Because the races are so close there is no room for error if you mess up forget gold you most likely won’t even medal. The 50s require you to have a perfect, fast and explosive start with a strong break out and strong finish. With races that last less then 30 seconds there is no time to think about what to do, you need to have complete trust in yourself that you won’t mess up.
The Olympics games must stay special,
Only the best every 4 year!
Leave the 50s for World championships,
It will be more interesting.
Makes me laugh when people talk about being fun to watch when there is pointless underwater camera filming. One 50m race in Budapest had 40% underwater footage! Who was winning was a mystery. There will probably be a time when US TV shows commercials half way through a 50 too!
If they really want to make the Olympic swimming events more accessible to older athletes and developing nations, make the format a 25m pool.