Competitive swimming started in Europe around 1800 and was part of the first modern 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, though not in a form comparable to the contemporary events.
A natación competitiva empezou en Europa arredor de 1800 e formaba parte dos primeiros Xogos Olímpicos de 1896 de verán celebrados en Atenas, aínda que non de forma comparable aos campionatos contemporáneos.