Swimming World Trivia: Medals, Ties, Records and More

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Care to test your swimming knowledge against the biggest swim geeks out there? Then you are in the right place: Swimming World Trivia.

Below, you will find seven trivia questions (20 total points) about the history of swimming. Post your answers in the comments section below. We will let you know if you are hot or cold before the big reveal of the answers Monday morning.

Good luck, and may the best swim geek win.

1) Michael Phelps is the only male swimmer to win three or more Olympic gold medals in the same event. Who are the three other male swimmers to win Olympic gold medals in the same event at least eight years apart, and in what events?
One point for each correct answer.

2) Phelps is also the only man to win five World titles in one event over the course of his career. Name the other three men with four career World titles in one event.
One point for each correct answer.

3) Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak tied for gold in the women’s 100 free in Rio. Before that, there had been two previous ties for Olympic gold, one women’s race and one men’s. Who tied, in what event, and when?
One point for each correct answer.

4) Excluding the 10k open water swim, what are the newest women’s and men’s events to be added to the Olympic swimming program, and when were they added?
One point for each correct answer.

5) In 1981, Mary T. Meagher set a world record in the women’s 200 fly (2:05.96) that would survive 19 years. The time remains the U.S. Open record, but four Americans have beaten the time while competing outside the country. Who are they?
One point for each correct answer.

6) FINA started keeping World Junior Records (women aged 14-17, men aged 15-18) in early 2014. Times recorded in 2013 or earlier were never considered for that list. If those times had been considered, which ~~three~~ four world records set prior to 2014 would double as World Junior Records?
One point for each correct answer.

NOTE: an earlier version of this story indicated there were three such answers to no. 6 when in fact there are four.

7) Who is the only man to swim under 1:00 for the 100-meter long course event in each stroke?

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Vincent DiNapoli

7 years ago

1) Anthony ervin with 2000 and 2016
2) lochte with 2im, and grant hacket with either the mile or one of his free events
3) ervin and hall in 2000
4) no idea, the mile and 800 respectively for mens and women?
5) no idea, i wish i knew more about womens swimming history
6) sarah sjorstom 100m fly rome, ruta 100m breast 2012 london, phelps 200m fly dont remember where but was under 18, Ian thorpes 400m free at 17 years old, im not sure where
7) thats a good one, i have no idea, id guess the most realistic IM to have sub minute in everything, randomly, eric shanteu?

Eric Lahmy

7 years ago

1). Duke Paoa Kahanamoku 100 meters 1912-1920
Vladimir Salnikov 1500 meters 1980, 1988
2). Ian Thorpe (400m) Grant Hackett (1500m), Aaron Peirsol (100m and 200m backstroke).
3). 100 meters 1983, Steinseiffer and… well, a crazily beautiful American girl who suffered asthma. Unhappy not remembering her name. Well, I check: Nancy Hogshead!!!
50 meters 2000 Ervin and Gary Hall jr
4). Do you mean: the 50 meters? 1988?
5) Too easy to catch with the USA swimming best American times. Really, I knew only Misty Hyman. Well, I cheat, read and transcript: Mary Descenza, Kathleen Hersley, Misty Hyman and Cammille Adams. Do you want the times??? But easy when this way!
6) Melissa “Missy” Franklin 100 and 200 backstroke, I guess, and Ruta Meilutyte 100 breaststroke?

Eric Lahmy

7 years ago

For 1984 double gold, I meant 1984, not 1983!!!

Buky c.

7 years ago

Reply to Eric Lahmy

1. A. Ervine, 2000 + 2016 V. Salnikov 1500. 1980- 1988, Johnny Wiesmeller- 100 fr.
2. Lochte,
3. 1984 double 100 fr. w. 2000 double 50 fr. m.
4. 50 fr. 1988
5. Misty Himan, Maia Dirado, Cammille Adams,
6. MP 200 fly, Cintia Woodhead- 200 fr. , Sharah Sjorstom- 100 fl, Katy Ledaky-800 fr.,
7. The US Texas – Brandon Hanson. Only a sub min. breast stroker can go sub 1 min in all four.

Geli Glez

7 years ago

we love you!

Jiawei He

7 years ago

1. Ervin 50FR
2. Popov 100FR，Gyurta 200BR，
3. Ervin & Hall 2000 50FR
4. No idea
5. No idea
6. Meilutyte 50BR and 100BR, Franklin 200BK
7. No idea

N P

7 years ago

1) Ervin in 50 free (2000 & 2016), Salnikov in the 1500 (1980 & 1984), and Duke Kahanamoku in the 100 free (1912 & 1920).
2) Lochte in the 200 IM and Grant Hackett in the 1500 free. I don’t know the 3rd.
3) Ervin and Hall Jr. in the 50 free in 2000 (21.98). Carrie Steinseifer and Nancy Hogshead in the 100 free in 1984 (55.92). When I saw Manuel and Oleksiak tie, I was so ecstatic; I had read about the older ties before, but it was incredible to watch something that’s only happened three times!
4) The newest event for MEN is the 50 freestyle, added in 1988. The newest even for WOMEN is the 4×200 freestyle relay, added in 1996.
5) The 4 American women who have beaten Mary Meagher’s legendary 2:05.96 (swum with no goggles!) are: Misty Hyman (2:05.88 in 2000), Mary DeScenza(2:04.1 in 2009), Kathleen Hersey (I had to look up Hersey’s time: 2:05.7, I think), and Claire Adams (2:05.90 in 2016). I find it staggering that Meagher’s time would have gotten no worse than fifth at any Olympics ever!
6) I assume this means current world records. Missy Fraknlin’s 200 backstroke in 2012, Ruta Meilutyte’s 100 Breaststroke in 2013, and also Ruta’s 50 breastroke in 2013.
7) I do not know. I would guess a fast breaststroker like Kitajima or Hansen. Maybe Peaty?

Author

David Rieder - Senior Writer

7 years ago

Reply to N P

Let’s just say, you’re warm. See comment below about the WR/junior WR thing.

Author

David Rieder - Senior Writer

7 years ago

Sorry for the confusion guys: I mean CURRENT WORLD RECORDS that should be world junior records. And there are four, please excuse the original mistake.

Author

David Rieder - Senior Writer

7 years ago

Reply to David Rieder - Senior Writer

Correction again: there are five. Whoops.

N P

7 years ago

Reply to David Rieder - Senior Writer

The only other one I can think of is Zhang Lin’s 800 freestyle grime Rome, but I’m not sure if he was 18 or 19.

N P

7 years ago

Reply to David Rieder - Senior Writer

I meant “in Rome”, not “grime Rome”.

Tony Albracht

7 years ago

#7. Michael Andrew

Amy

7 years ago

(2) Hackett 1500FR. Lochte 200IM. Peirsol 100BK,200BK. Popov 50FR,100FR. Gyurta 200BR.

N P

7 years ago

Mr. Rieder,

Any word on when the answers will be posted?

Author

David Rieder - Senior Writer

7 years ago

Reply to N P

In just a minute!

Author

David Rieder - Senior Writer

7 years ago

ANSWERS:
1) Duke Kahanamoku, 100 free in 1912 and 1920; Vladimir Salnikov, 1500 free in 1980 and 1984; Anthony Ervin, 50 free in 2000 and 2016.
2) Grant Hackett, 1500 free in 1998, 2001, 2003 & 2005; Aaron Peirsol, 200 back in 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2009; Ryan Lochte, 200 IM in 2009, 2011, 2013 & 2015.
3) Nancy Hogshead and Carrie Steinseifer (both USA), women’s 100 free in 1984; Gary Hall Jr. and Anthony Ervin (both USA), men’s 50 free in 2000.
4): Women – 800 free relay, 1996; men – 50 free, 1984.
5) Mary Descenza (2:04.14, 2009), Kathleen Hersey (2:05.78, 2012), Misty Hyman (2:05.90, 2000), Cammile Adams (2:05.90, 2016).
6) Missy Franklin, women’s 200 back, 2:04.06 (2012); Akihiro Yamaguchi, men’s 200 breast, 2:07.01 (2012) Ruta Meilutyte, women’s 100 breast, 1:04.35 (2013); Ruta Meilutyte, women’s 50 breast, 29.48 (2013).
7) Actually are TWO answers here (bonus if you got both) : Brendan Hansen (54.68 100 free, 59.98 100 back, 59.13 100 breast, 55.93 100 fly) and Michael Andrew (50.09 100 free, 55.12 100 back, 59.82 100 breast, 53.18 100 fly).

JoeSwimmer

7 years ago

Wasn’t the Men’s 50 free added in 1988, not 1984?