2500 BC
First Egyptian hieroglyphics depicting swimming

400 BC
Egyptians and Romans leisurely dived off cliffs

78 BC
Romans introduced swimming to Britain as a manly social event

36 BC
Japanese Emperor Suigiu encouraged swimming

7th Century
Plagues unnerved swimming during the Dark Ages

14th Century
Medieval knights try to master swimming in armour

15th Century
Swimming author Digby claimed humans better swimmers than fish

16th Century
Oxford and Cambridge University banned swimming after fatalities

16th Century
Medicinal value of natural spa springs discovered in Britain

18th Century
Sea swimming popularised by George III

18th Century
Acrobatic diving developed

1844
A small race exposed Britain to Red Indian's 'crawl' style

1845
First swimming championship debut in Sydney

1875
Captain Webb pioneered the English Channel crossing

1885
First diving competition, Germany

1892
First women's championship, Scotland

1908
The Federation Internationale de Natation de Amateur (FINA) formed

1924
Johnny Weissmuller set 67 world swim records, and then became 'Tarzan'

1924
Canadian sportswomen premiered synchronised swimming

1930
Swimming and diving feature in the first Commonwealth Games, Hamilton, Canada