Swimming Up Hill Like so many swimmers, Jamal Hill wanted to dive off the block while representing the U.S. Unlike so many swimmers, he made it happen. How he made it happen, though, is just as impressive as the bronze medal hanging around his neck. Not only was Hill a Division III swimmer a few years before the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, but he was swimming with a disability he didn't tell anyone about. By Jeremy Fuchs
The Rise of Team USA Swimming fans who've only known Team USA to be a powerhouse might be surprised to know that American swimmers weren't always among the best in the world. At the 1896 and 1900 Olympics, U.S. swimmers didn't earn a single medal. By Elaine K. Howley
Why Do Olympians Do That?! Think about Gary Hall Jr., a 10-time Olympic medalist. Famous for his bombastic showmanship before his races—often in stars-and-stripes boxing shorts—the three-time Olympian had stumbled into shadow boxing as a pre-race ritual when he nearly missed the finals of the 50 at a meet in Mission Viejo, California. By David McGlynn
How to Swim Modern-Day Freestyle The front crawl has evolved dramatically over the past century-plus. The stroke started as the side stroke before turning into trudgen, then Australian crawl, and then American crawl. The progression essentially came down to swimmers recovering their arms over the water and performing a six-beat flutter kick. By Susan Ingraham
