The 100-meter freestyle is one of numerous swimming events held during each Summer Olympic Games. In an Olympic pool, a distance of 100 meters is equal to two lengths, or one lap, of the pool. Numerous rules and regulations ensure that each swimmer competes fairly from the beginning to the end of the race.
Starting Off
For a swimming start to be legal, a competitor must be motionless on the starting block until the referee allows the race to start, which is usually accomplished by firing a starting gun, blowing a whistle, or using an electronic starting device that sounds a loud beep. A swimmer is disqualified from the race if she twitches on the starting block, jumps off too early or falls into the pool. In the Olympic Games, starting commands such as "take your marks" must be spoken in English.
Freestyle
According to FINA, the governing body of water sports, swimmers are allowed to swim any stroke during freestyle races. However, almost every swimmer chooses to swim the front crawl because it is the fastest and most efficient stroke. Thus, the terms "freestyle" and "front crawl" have become nearly synonymous in the swimming world. The only rule that specifically governs a freestyle race is that the swimmer may not remain submerged underwater for more than 15 meters on any length.
Universal Rules
Despite the few rules regarding the stroke of freestyle, many rules specify what swimmers cannot do during the course of any race. Swimmers are never allowed to push off the bottom or sides of the pool, pull on the lane ropes, obstruct another swimmer or wear any swimming aids such as flippers or webbed gloves. Goggles and swim caps are the only accessories that are permitted.
Legal Turns
Flip turns allow a swimmer to change directions when he reaches the wall. For a swimmer to complete a 100-meter freestyle race in the Olympics, he will have to perform a flip turn. Olympic pools are longer than most pools used for NCAA or YMCA competitions, so non-Olympic 100-meter freestyle races may include more flip turns. The only regulation for a legal turn is that a swimmer must make contact with the pool wall with some part of his body, usually his feet.
Finishing Strong
Finishing a race requires that a swimmer make contact with the wall with some part of her body. In addition, FINA regulations state that a swimmer must exit the pool as soon as possible after her race is complete. However, most officials do not disqualify swimmers for waiting in the water to shake hands with their competitors. Any world records that are broken during the Olympic Games are automatically approved and do not require the additional authentication that they would at other meets.
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