Swimming is widely practiced in India, but only leisurely and not commonly as a professional sport.[1][2]
Swimming sport in India is administered by the Swimming Federation of India.[3] SFI was formed by the merger of the National Swimming Association (NSA) and the Indian Swimming Federation (ISF).[4]
Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj won silver in the 50m backstroke event at the 30th Mare Nostrum swimming tour at the Canet-en-Roussillon, France.[5]
Background
In 2020 SFI prepared a plan for the long-term development of the sport.[6] A workshop was organised in 2021 with Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas.[7][8] In 2024, the Inspire Institute of Sport launched the Mizuho High Performance Swimming Programme in partnership with Mizuho Bank.[9]
Olympics
Sajan Prakash and Srihari Nataraj achieved direct qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a feat never achieved by any Indian swimmer before.[10] Dhinidhi Desinghu, the youngest member of the Indian Olympic contingent, and Srihari Nataraj will represent India in swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics.[11]
Asian Games
India has won one gold in the Asian Games, which was bagged by Sachin Nag in the 100m freestyle at the inaugural edition in New Delhi.[12] The country has won two silver and 6 bronze overall, the latest being Sandeep Sejwal's bronze in the 2014 Asiad in Incheon, South Korea.[2] India sent a 23-member contingent, including 9 women to the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.[13][14] The Indian swimmers qualified for the finals of three events[15] and set seven national records in Hangzhou, but did not win any medals.[16]
Commonwealth games
India has won one bronze at the Commonwealth Games.[2]
