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#ThrowbackThursday: 1938 European Championships (Video)

For today’s ‘#ThrowbackThursday’ we go waaaaaaay back, all the way to 1938, when the European Swimming Championships took place in Wembley, England.  The European Swimming Championships had its inaugural competition in Budapest in 1926 and Wembley represented the 5th edition of the meet.

Take a moment to watch the video to not only acknowledge the past, but to appreciate the present.  Today, we have the luxury of sophisticated suits, sleek goggles, not to mention actual lane lines instead of strung-together buoys. Also, note how there are no starting blocks or flags and several of the competitors compete with an open turn, with the flip turn having just been invented in the mid-1930’s.

Diving has a cameo in this flick as well, which makes one hold his breath as the athletes seemingly dive in right on top of one another. You’ll first see a synchronized pair of divers, then be treated to athletes taking flight over their teammates’ split hand stands, before making a splash down below. It makes one want to hug today’s modern conveniences, such as your beloved chamois and bubbling on-deck hot tub.

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jman
9 years ago

one of the swimmers has some type of strap around his head. EArly goggles?

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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