Marathon Swimming
In Marathon Swimming, athletes brave open water environments, navigating tides, currents and weather while completing a rigorous long distance swim course. Since the discipline was first included in an Olympic program at Beijing 2008, Marathon Swimming has emerged as a test of both athleticism and adaptability.
![A group of swimmers are captured mid-dive at the start of the swimming portion of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The athletes, wearing black wetsuits with red stripes on the side and swim caps, are in perfect alignment as they dive into the water against a clear blue sky. The city's skyline and Olympic signage are visible in the background.](/content/dam/latwentyeight/olympic-sports/mobile/OLYMarathonSwimmingMobile.jpg)