Poetry in the pool: Incredible photos show off Olympic swimmers at the very peak of their fitness as they compete for once-in-a-lifetime glory
- Swimming has been part of the Olympics since the first modern Games in Athens back in 1896
- Athletes in Rio will compete across four strokes – freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke
- Swimmers use virtually every muscle in the human body and burn upwards of 800 calories per hour
- Team USA's Michael Phelps claims to consume 12,000 calories a day, the equivalent of eight chickens
Burning hundreds of calories and working virtually every muscle in the body, swimming is one of the most physically-demanding disciplines at Rio 2016.
It was one of the original nine sports at the very first modern Games in 1896 and athletes now compete across four strokes - freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke.
As water is 12 times denser than air, the sport requires physical strength as well as stamina, meaning athletes must be at the very peak of their fitness to compete in the Olympics.
Synchronised swimmers must also be able to hold their breath for between two and three minutes, and are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool during their routine.
Swimming makes intensive use of the body's energy supplies, with a normal-sized person moving at a fast pace burning around 800 calories an hour.
Team USA's Michael Phelps claims to consume 12,000 calories a day, the equivalent of eight whole chickens.
The 18 times gold medal-winner starts the day with a hearty breakfast consisting of three fried-egg sandwiches, three chocolate chip pancakes and a five-egg omelette.
And that is in addition to three sugar-coated slices of French toast and a bowl of maize porridge.
The first day of swimming at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre went well for Team GB's Adam Peaty, who broke his own world record as he reached the final of the 100m breaststroke in 57.55 seconds.
The 21-year-old goes into Sunday's final as favourite to take gold, a feat which just three British men have managed in the pool in the past 40 years.
Burning hundreds of calories and working virtually every muscle in the body, swimming is one of the most physically-demanding disciplines at the Rio Olympics. Pictured are members of the Australian synchronized swimming team
Swimming was one of the original nine sports in the very first modern Games in 1896 and athletes compete across four strokes - freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke. Here, Australia's Madeline Groves rests during training
As water is 12 times denser than air, swimming requires physical strength as well as stamina, meaning athletes - like Sandrine Mainville of Canada - (pictured) must be at the very peak of their fitness to compete in the Olympics
The first day of swimming at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre went well for Team GB's Adam Peaty, (pictured) who broke his own world record as he reached the final of the 100m breaststroke in 57.55 seconds
Synchronised swimmers must be able to hold their breath for between two and three minutes, and are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool during their routines
The Australian synchronised swimming team practise their routine at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre, which was built for the 2007 Pan American Games and renovated for the 2016 Olympics
USA's Chase Kalisz takes part in the Men's 400m Individual Medley heat. He ended up winning a silver medal in the event
Australia's Cate Campbell is greeted by a team mate after anchoring the team to gold in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay
The sport also makes intensive use of the body's energy supplies, with a normal-sized person swimming at a fast pace burning around 800 calories per hour. Pictured is Team GB's James Guy at the 400m Freestyle heat
Hannah Miley of Great Britain waves to the crowd after she comes fourth in the final of the Women's 400m on the first day of the Games
The USA's Madeline 'Maya' Dirado takes part in the Women's 400m Individual Medley heat. On Thursday, she will compete in the 200m backstroke
Australia's Mack Horton smiles after winning the gold in the final of the men's 400-metre freestyle. He has also won medals in the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games
Australian synchronised swimmers wave their feet in the air as they practice their routine at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre. The discipline has been part of the Olympics since Los Angeles in 1984
Yusra Mardini of the Refugee Olympic Team throws her arms above the water during the 100m Butterfly heats
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I love the swimming
by ST0PWHINGING 268