Background: This study investigated swimming speeds and sex differences of finalists competing at the Olympic\nGames (i.e. 624 female and 672 male athletes) and FINA World Championships (i.e. 990 women and 1008 men)\nbetween 1992 and 2013.\nMethods: Linear, non-linear and multi-level regression models were used to investigate changes in swimming\nspeeds and sex differences for champions and finalists.\nResults: Regarding finalists in FINA World Championships and Olympic Games, swimming speed increased linearly\nin both women and men in all disciplines and race distances. Male world champions� swimming speed remained\nstable in 200 m butterfly, 400 m, 800 m and 1,500 m freestyle. Considering women, swimming speed remained\nunchanged in 50 m and 400 m freestyle. In the Olympic Games, swimming speed of male champions remained\nunchanged in 200 m breaststroke, 50 m, 400 m, 800 m and 1,500 m freestyle. Female Olympic champions�\nswimming speed remained stable in 100 m and 200 m backstroke, 100 m butterfly, 200 m individual medley, 50 m\nand 200 m freestyle. Evaluating sex differences between finalists in FINA World Championships, results showed a\nlinear decrease in 100 m breaststroke and 200 m butterfly and a non-linear increase in 100 m backstroke. In finals\nat the Olympic Games, the sex difference decreased linearly for 100 m backstroke, 400 m and 800 m freestyle.\nHowever, a linear increase for 200 m butterfly can be reported. Considering Olympic and world champions, the sex\ndifference remained stable in all disciplines and race distances.\nConclusion: Swimming speed of the finalists at the Olympic Games and FINA World Championships increased\nlinearly. The top annual female swimmers increased swimming speed rather at longer race distances (i.e. 800 m and\n1,500 m freestyle, 200 m butterfly, and 400 m individual medley), whereas the top annual male swimmers increased\nit rather at shorter race distances (i.e. 100 m and 200 m freestyle, 100 m butterfly, and 100 m breaststroke). Sex\ndifference in swimming was unchanged in Olympic and world champions. Finalists and champions at the Olympic\nGames and FINA World Championships reduced the sex difference with increasing race distance.
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