World record progression 100 metres freestyle


The first world record in the men's 100 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1905. In the short course swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since 3 March 1991.
Times have consistently dropped over the years due to better training techniques and new developments in the sport.
In the first four Olympics competitions were not held in pools, but rather in open water. The 1904 Olympics freestyle race was the only one ever measured at 100 yards, instead of the usual 100 metres. A 100-metre pool was built for the 1908 Olympics and sat in the centre of the main stadium's track and field oval. The 1912 Olympics, held in the Stockholm harbour, marked the beginning of electronic timing.
Male swimmers wore full body suits up until the 1940s, which caused more drag in the water than their modern swim-wear counterparts. Also, over the years, pool designs have lessened the drag. Some design considerations allow for the reduction of swimming resistance making the pool faster. Namely, proper pool depth, elimination of currents, increased lane width, energy absorbing racing lane lines and gutters, and the use of other innovative hydraulic, acoustic and illumination designs.
In 2008, leading up to the Olympics, Speedo introduced a 50% Polyurethane suit dubbed LZR. Pure polyurethane suits from Arena, Adidas and Italian suit manufacturer, Jaked were thought to be largely responsible for the multiple World Records in 2009 including at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships. FINA announced a ban on non-textile suits that took effect on January 2010.
The 1924 Summer Olympics were the first to use the standard 50 metre pool with marked lanes. In the freestyle, swimmers originally dived from the pool walls, but diving blocks were eventually incorporated at the 1936 Summer Olympics. The tumble turn was developed by the 1950s.

Men

Long course

Short course

Women

Long course

Short course

All-time top 25

Men

PosTimeSwimmerDateVenue
146.9130 July 2009Italy
246.9422 April 2009France
346.9625 July 2019South Korea
447.0410 April 2016Australia
547.0513 August 2008China
647.0825 July 2019South Korea
747.1015 March 2012Australia
847.1522 April 2009France
947.2730 July 2009Italy
1047.3330 July 2009Italy
1147.3730 July 2009Italy
1247.3931 July 2019United States
1347.439 April 2019Russia
1447.5111 August 2008China
1547.521 August 2012Great Britain
1647.5814 August 2008China
1747.5925 April 2009Russia
1847.6131 July 2019United States
1947.6210 July 2013Russia
2047.6315 March 2012Australia
2147.6514 October 2014China
2147.6526 July 2017Hungary
2347.6813 August 2008China
2347.6818 April 2019Brazil
2547.6907 December 2019United States

Women

PosTimeSwimmerDateVenue
151.7123 July 2017Hungary
252.039 August 2018Japan
352.0426 July 2019South Korea
452.0731 July 2009Italy
552.279 April 2018Australia
652.4113 June 2019Australia
752.5923 July 2017Hungary
852.6226 July 2009Italy
952.695 April 2015Netherlands
952.6928 July 2017Hungary
1152.7011 August 2016Brazil
1252.7210 August 2018Japan
1352.7426 May 2018France
1452.7512 April 2012Netherlands
1552.7918 November 2018Japan
1652.8731 July 2009Italy
1753.0230 July 2009Italy
1853.043 November 2019Russia
1953.1317 October 2009China
2053.1716 April 2009Netherlands
2153.1825 June 2016Italy
2153.1813 June 2019Australia
2153.1831 July 2019United States
2453.2125 July 2019South Korea
2553.281 August 2012Great Britain