The men's underwater swimming was an event on the Swimming at the 1900 Summer Olympics schedule in Paris. It was held on 12 August in the Seine. There were 14 competitors from 4 nations. The event was won by Charles Devendeville of France, with his countryman André Six taking second. Denmark's Peder Lykkeberg took third despite being clearly the best underwater swimmer; he swam in circles though the distance portion of the score was measured in a straight line.
Background
The 1900 Games were the only occasion such an event was held. It was not featured at later Olympic games because of lack of spectator appeal.
Competition format
The score was given by adding one point for each second and two points for each metre swum underwater. The distance was measured in a straight line from the starting point.
Schedule
Date Time Round Monday, 12 August 1900 9:00 Final
Results
Rank Swimmer Nation Seconds Metres Score 68.4 60.00 188.4 65.4 60.00 185.4 90.0 28.50 147.0 4 de Romand 50.2 47.50 145.2 5 Léon Tisserand 48.0 30.75 109.5 6 30.0 36.95 103.9 7 Menault 38.4 32.50 103.4 8 32.0 34.00 100.0 9 Pierre Peyrusson 29.6 31.00 91.6 10 Paul Kaisermann 56.8 16.10 89.0 11 Jean Leclerq 28.0 30.00 88.0 12 Chevrand 32.0 20.00 72.0 13 22.4 23.50 69.4 14 Eucher 23.0 21.50 66.0
References "1900 Olympics – Paris, France – Swimming" – databaseOlympics.com (Retrieved on January 29, 2013)
External links 1900 Summer Olympics swimming events results