View source for Medley swimming

{{Short description|Combination of four swimming styles into one race}}
[[File:Butterfly stroke without text.gif|thumb|Butterfly]]
[[File:Backstroke.gif|thumb|Backstroke]]
[[File:Breaststroke3.gif|thumb|Breaststroke]]
[[File:Freestyle swimming2 without text.gif|thumb|Front crawl]]
'''Medley swimming''' is a combination of four different [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] strokes [[Butterfly stroke|butterfly]], [[backstroke]], [[breaststroke]], [[Freestyle swimming|freestyle]] (usually [[front crawl]]), into one race. This race is either swum by one swimmer as '''individual medley''' ('''IM''') or by four swimmers as a '''medley relay'''.

== Individual medley ==
Individual medley consists of a single swimmer [[swimming]] equal distances of the four strokes within one race.

=== Stroke order ===
Individual medley consists of four strokes, with each stroke accounting for a quarter of the race in the following order:<ref>{{cite book|last=Gifford|first=Clive|title=Swimming|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b6Vpedt1zc0C&pg=PA25|access-date=7 August 2012|date=2009-09-01|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=9780761444626|page=25}}</ref>

# [[Butterfly stroke|Butterfly]]
# [[Backstroke]]
# [[Breaststroke]]
# [[Freestyle swimming|Freestyle]]: It can be any stroke except butterfly, backstroke, or breaststroke.<ref name="freestyle">2013 USA Swimming Rule Book, 101.5.2 Stroke</ref> All swimmers use the [[front crawl]].

=== Competitions ===
A number of competitions in the individual medley are regularly contested, by both men and women. The competitions are limited in that every distance must consist of either four lengths of the pool (100-yard or -meter) or a multiple of four lengths (200- or 400-yard/- meter), so that no stroke must change mid-length. Regardless of the length of the individual medley, each stroke comprises a quarter of the overall distance.

* 100&nbsp;m/yd individual medley: Swum in [[Short course (swimming)|short-course]] (25&nbsp;m/yd pool) competition only. This is not an Olympic event.
* 200&nbsp;m/yd individual medley: Swum in both short course and [[long course|long-course]] (50&nbsp;m pool) competitions. This was swum as an Olympic event in the [[1968 Summer Olympics]], [[Mexico City]], Mexico but then omitted until the [[1984 Summer Olympics]], [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], United States. The event has been swum ever since.
* 400&nbsp;m/yd individual medley: Swum in both short course and long course competitions. This has been an Olympic event since the [[1964 Summer Olympics]], [[Tokyo]], Japan.

=== Technique ===
The technique for individual medley events does not differ much from the technique for the separate events for the four strokes. The main difference is the turning technique needed when transitioning from one stroke to the next stroke. Each section has to be completed as described by the stroke rules of this section.

The transitions are as follows:

* [[Butterfly stroke|Butterfly]] to [[Backstroke]]
* [[Backstroke]] to [[Breaststroke]]
* [[Breaststroke]] to [[Freestyle swimming|Freestyle]]

When transitioning from Butterfly to Backstroke, swimmers must abide by [[World Aquatics]] rules and regulations in regards to turns. They are listed as follows:

* When transitioning from butterfly to backstroke, swimmers must be on their stomach, and touch the wall with both hands simultaneously, either in, out, or at the surface of the water, then turn in any matter they wish as long as the swimmer's shoulder is vertical or towards the back when they leave the wall. An acceptable turn includes an [[Open turn (swimming)|open turn]], which is commonly used.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jay |date=September 20, 2017 |title=Medley Rules Change |url=https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/officialsdocuments/officials-training-resources/interpretations-and-recommendations/medley-rules-change-eff092117.pdf |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=USA Swimming}}</ref>
* When transitioning from backstroke to breaststroke, swimmers must touch the wall with some part of their body while still on their back.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2023 |title=FINA SWIMMING RULES |url=https://resources.fina.org/fina/document/2023/01/04/65961a45-bde5-4217-b666-ca1f5dc2d1f0/1_Swimming-Technical-Rules.04.01.2023.pdf |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=FINA resources}}</ref> The swimmer's shoulder may be turned vertical to the chest but no more than that when executing a turn. Some acceptable turns are the bucket turn, crossover turn, or an open turn.
* When transitioning from breaststroke to freestyle, swimmers must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously, similar to butterfly, either in, out, or at the surface of the water before turning. An acceptable turn includes an open turn.<ref name=":0" />

For all the transitions, the swimmer may conduct their underwater phase for up to 15m, where then swimmers will have to resurface and continue swimming with proper technique.<ref name=":0" />

== Medley relay ==
The medley relay consists of four different swimmers in one [[relay race]], each swimming one of the four strokes.

=== Stroke order ===
The stroke order of the medley relay is different from that of the individual medley. Backstroke is the first event as this stroke is started from the water. If backstroke were not the first event, the starting backstroke swimmer and the finishing previous swimmer could block each other. The remaining strokes are sorted according to the speed, with breaststroke being the slowest, butterfly in the middle, and freestyle being the fastest stroke. The order of the strokes for medley relay is as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usaswimming.org/news-landing-page/2017/09/20/new-medley-rule-change-to-go-into-effect-sept.-21|title = New Medley Rule Change to Go into Effect Sept. 21}}</ref>

* [[Backstroke]]
* [[Breaststroke]]
* [[Butterfly stroke|Butterfly]]
* [[Freestyle swimming|Freestyle]]: It can be any stroke except butterfly, backstroke, or breaststroke.<ref name="freestyle"/> Swimmers will generally use the [[front crawl]].

Backstroke performances (only) are eligible for backstroke records, as they are performed under normal controlled starting conditions (i.e., reflex latency for the starting gun makes the average split time marginally quicker); for example, [[Ryan Murphy (swimmer)|Ryan Murphy]] set the [[List of world records in swimming|world record]] for the [[World record progression 100 metres backstroke|100 m backstroke]] during the first leg of the [[Swimming at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's 4 × 100 metre medley relay|{{nowrap|4 × 100 m}} medley relay]] at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].

=== Competitions ===
There are a number of competitions swum regularly in medley relay, both by men and women.

*4×50&nbsp;m/yd medley relay: Swum in both short course and long course pools. This is not an Olympic event.
*4×100&nbsp;m/yd medley relay: Swum in both short course and long course pools. This was the first Olympic medley competition and has been swum since the [[1960 Summer Olympics]], [[Rome]], [[Italy]]. The first Olympic butterfly event itself was first swum in the previous [[1956 Summer Olympics]].

Mixed-gendered medley relays were introduced at the [[2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)]] (4×50 m) and [[2015 World Aquatics Championships]] ({{nowrap|4 × 100 m}}). The event debuted at the [[2010 Summer Youth Olympics]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics]] ({{nowrap|4 × 100 m}}).

Standard United States high school swim meets have short course events, that is the lengths are typically swum in a 25-yard or meter long pool. One relay event swum in State or Sectional Championships is the 4×50 yard medley relay.

Many collegiate programs hold competition in the 4×50 medley relay, and 4×100 medley relay.

=== Technique ===
The technique for medley relay events does not differ much from the technique for the separate events for the four strokes and the basic set of relay rules. The only difference between the Medley Relay and the Individual Medley is the order of the strokes and the number of swimmers. The order for the medley relay is: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.

The main difference is for the second, third, and fourth swimmers on the relay team. The first swimmer swims backstroke normally, but all of the following swimmers must accurately judge the swimmer current swimming's distance, and conduct a relay dive right as the current swimmer touches the wall. There is no start signal for those swimmers. It is very important for the next swimmer off the block to accurately judge the time at which the swimmer in the water will touch the wall. A fast reaction could result in a significantly faster time in the race, but a false start (diving early) will result in a disqualification.

[[World Aquatics]] rules require that a foot of the second, third or fourth swimmer must be touching the platform while (and before) the incoming teammate is touching the wall;<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2023 |title=FINA SWIMMING RULES |url=https://resources.fina.org/fina/document/2023/01/04/65961a45-bde5-4217-b666-ca1f5dc2d1f0/1_Swimming-Technical-Rules.04.01.2023.pdf |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=FINA resources}}</ref> the starting swimmer may already be in motion, however, which saves 0.6 – 1 second compared to a regular start. Furthermore, many swimmers may perform better in a relay than in an individual race owing to a team spirit atmosphere. As a result, relay times are typically 2–3 second faster than the sum of best times of individual swimmers.

== History ==
Until 1952, the butterfly was not defined as a separate stroke from the [[breaststroke]], and so medley races featured three styles: backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. The usual distance of both the IM and the medley relay was thus 300 metres or yards rather than 400. During a 150-meter Individual Medley race, Henry Myers was one of the first to use an overarm recovery while swimming breaststroke, becoming one of the earliest forms of butterfly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-11 |title=History of Individual Medley {{!}} Olympic Swimming Strokes Explained |url=https://www.swimming.org/sport/history-of-individual-medley/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Swim England Competitive Swimming Hub |language=en}}</ref> In the United States, during the year of 1953, some medley races included the [[Butterfly stroke|butterfly]] stroke, and the [[Amateur Athletic Union]] made it mandatory in 1954.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 1953 |title=Yale's Swimming Squad Takes 98th Meet in Row |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/24/archives/yales-swimming-squad-takes-98th-meet-in-row.html |access-date=7 August 2012 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 November 1953 |title=A. A. U. opens drive for 1956 Olympics |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/11/28/archives/a-a-u-opens-drive-for-1956-olympics-capital-meeting-plains-way-to.html |access-date=7 August 2012 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

From the beginning of the medley events, swimming times have drastically decreased due to science, technology, and improved training; e.g. technical swimming suits that reduce drag in the water and underwater cameras that help to analyze a swimmer's stroke.

== Rules ==
These are the official rules of  [[World Aquatics]], USA Swimming, and US Masters Swimming regarding medley swimming:

* In individual medley events, the swimmer covers the four swimming styles in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2023 |title=FINA SWIMMING RULES |url=https://resources.fina.org/fina/document/2023/01/04/65961a45-bde5-4217-b666-ca1f5dc2d1f0/1_Swimming-Technical-Rules.04.01.2023.pdf |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=FINA resources}}</ref>
* In medley relay events, swimmers will cover the four swimming styles in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.<ref name=":03" />
* Each section must be finished in accordance with the rule which applies to the style concerned.<ref name=":03" />

Freestyle includes a special regulation for medley events:

* Freestyle means that in an event so designated the swimmer may swim any style, except that in individual medley or medley relay events, freestyle means any style other than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly.<ref name=":03" />

Additionally, the normal rules of relay events apply:

* Each swimmer should only swim in one leg of the relay<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Swimming Rules |url=https://www.usms.org/-/media/usms/pdfs/volunteer%20central/rule%20book/part%201.pdf |access-date=March 17, 2024 |website=USMS}}</ref>
* The continuing swimmer should not start their leg until the previous swimmer has completed their leg<ref name=":1" />
* No other team member shall jump into the pool apart from the one swimming the leg<ref name=":1" />
* The proceeding swimmer's feet should not leave the diving block until the previous swimmer has completed their leg<ref name=":1" />
* There shall be four swimmers on each relay team<ref name=":1" />
* Mixed relay teams must consist of two men and two women. (In any order)<ref name=":1" />

Failure to abide by any of the rules listed above will result in a disqualification if found appropriate by the referee.

== Para-Swimmers in the Medley ==
In 1960, the U.S. Paralympics added swimming as a sport. Para-Swimming is where swimmers with physical disabilities can compete with other swimmers with physical disabilities in swimming. While swimming, those swimmers are not allowed to wear any prosthetics or any assistive devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Para swimming |url=https://www.usparaswimming.org/about-para-swimming |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.usparaswimming.org |language=en}}</ref>

While swimming the Individual Medley, para-swimmers are put into different categories depending on their physical disability. They are listed below:

* SM1: para swimmers who are highly affected in their arms, legs, and trunk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM1 Swimming - Parasport classification |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm1 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM2: para swimmers who are highly affected in their trunks, legs, and hands. Their arms are a little more viable but are still affected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM2 Swimming - Parasport classification |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm2 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM3: para swimmers who have lowly affected arms, but may be missing legs. Their legs and trunks remain barely viable.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM3 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm3 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM4: para swimmers who have trouble with their hands. They may be missing their hand(s).<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM4 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm4 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM5: para swimmers who have difficulty coordinating in the water. Their legs are highly affected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM5 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm5 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM6: para swimmers who have one side of their body heavily affected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM6 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm6 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM7: para swimmers who have one side of their body moderately affected, but still have trouble.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM7 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm7 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM8: para swimmers who can use one arm, moderately affected legs, or lack overall muscle power.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM8 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm8 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM9: para swimmers who have a lot of weakness in one leg.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM9 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm9 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM10: para swimmers who have little issue(s) with their leg. They have trouble keeping a stroke pattern.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM10 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm10 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>

There are also visual ratings:

* SM11: para swimmers who are almost totally blind.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM11 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm11 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM12: para swimmers who have a hard time seeing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM12 Swimming - Parasport classification |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm12 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>
* SM13: para swimmers who are able to see the end of the pool at the length of 5 meters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM13 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm13 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>

And finally, there is an intellectual category:

* SM14: para swimmers who are intellectually challenged. They have difficulty understanding techniques and strategies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SM14 Swimming explained - a paralympic class at the Paris 2024 games |url=https://lexi.global/sports/swimming/individual-medley/sm14 |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>

== World records ==
All the listed below world record times have been swam in Long Course Meters (LCM.)

'''Men'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Aquatics |url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/records |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=World Aquatics |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
| rowspan="3" |'''[[List of world records in swimming|World records]]'''
|200&nbsp;m individual medley
|{{flagicon|France}} [[Léon Marchand]] <span style="font-size:90%">[[France|(FRA)]]</span>
|1:52.69
|[[Singapore]]
|July 30, 2025
|-
|400&nbsp;m individual medley
|{{flagicon|France}} [[Léon Marchand]] <span style="font-size:90%">[[France|(FRA)]]</span>
|4:02.50
|[[Fukuoka]], [[Japan]]
|July 23, 2023
|-
|4×100&nbsp;m medley relay
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]]
* [[Ryan Murphy (swimmer)|Ryan Murphy]]
* [[Michael Andrew (swimmer)|Michael Andrew]]
* [[Caeleb Dressel]]
* [[Zach Apple]]
|3:26.78
|[[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
|July 31, 2021
|-
|}
'''Women'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Aquatics |url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/records |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=World Aquatics |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
| rowspan="3" |'''[[List of world records in swimming#Women|World records]]'''
|200&nbsp;m individual medley
|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Summer McIntosh]] <span style="font-size:90%">[[Canada|(CAN)]]</span>
|2:05.70
|[[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]], [[Canada]]
|June 9, 2025
|-
|400&nbsp;m individual medley
|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Summer McIntosh]] <span style="font-size:90%">[[Canada|(CAN)]]</span>
|4:23.65
|[[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]], [[Canada]]
|June 11, 2025
|-
|4×100&nbsp;m medley relay
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]]
* [[Regan Smith (swimmer)|Regan Smith]]
* [[Lilly King]]
* [[Kelsi Dahlia]]
* [[Simone Manuel]]
|3:50.40
|[[Gwangju]], [[South Korea]]
|July 28, 2019
|-
|}
'''Mixed'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Aquatics |url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/records |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=World Aquatics |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|'''[[List of world records in swimming#Mixed relay|World records]]'''
|4×100&nbsp;m mixed medley relay
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[United States]]
* [[Ryan Murphy (swimmer)|Ryan Murphy]]
* [[Nic Fink]]
* [[Gretchen Walsh]]
* [[Torri Huske]]
|3:37.43
|[[Paris]], [[France]]
|August 3, 2024
|}

* A listing of how the World Records have progressed over time can be found here: [[World record progression 100 metres individual medley|100 IM]], [[World record progression 200 metres individual medley|200 IM]], [[World record progression 400 metres individual medley|400 IM]] and [[World record progression 4 × 100 metres medley relay|Medley Relay]].

== Olympic or long course world champions in individual medley ==

=== Men ===
{{Footer Olympic Champions 200 m Individual Medley Men}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 400 m Individual Medley Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 200m Medley Men}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 400m Medley Men}}

=== Women ===
{{Footer Olympic Champions 200 m Individual Medley Women}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 400 m Individual Medley Women}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 200m Medley Women}}
{{Footer World LC Champions 400m Medley Women}}

=== Mixed ===
{{Footer Olympic Champions 4x100 m Medley Relay Mixed}}
{{Footer World SC Champions 4x50m Medley Mixed}}

==See also==
{{Commons category}}
*[[List of world records in swimming]]
*[[200 metres individual medley]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121226031151/http://www.swim.ee/models/models.html Swim.ee]: Detailed discussion of swimming techniques and speeds

{{Swimming styles}}

[[Category:Medley swimming| ]]
[[Category:Team sports]]

[[he:שחייה תחרותית#מעורב]]