Science of Summer Games: Swimming

As athletes worldwide prepare to compete on the grandest stage, a global spotlight converges on Paris, France, as the home of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Amidst this worldwide celebration, the University of Delaware is showcasing expertise and resources in human performance and sports sciences, innovative research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Swimming will be one of the most anticipated sports at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Underwater swimming, a technique popularized by Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 28 medals, including 23 gold Olympic medals, will be the maneuver to watch.

"Phelps was often well ahead of his opponents at the wall, and to avoid the rush of water coming at him during his turn, he'd go deep and swim under the water and pop up," explained University of Delaware adjunct professor George Edelman. "You'll see our greatest swimmers pop off the wall and swim 15 meters under the water like a dolphin before they break out of the water and swim."

USA Swimming star Gretchen Walsh broke the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at 55.18 seconds in a semifinal heat at the U.S. Olympics Trials.

"Watch her underwaters in Paris - it's impressive," Edelman said.

Edelman has been an adjunct physical therapy professor in the College of Health Sciences for over two decades. He's also been on the medical staff for USA Swimming for 24 years, working directly with Olympic athletes and in various additional capacities including research, recovery and injury prevention.