Before 1908, when the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) began to regulate aquatic events, the Olympic Games played host to a variety of unusual competitions, including underwater swimming, obstacle swimming and plunge for distance. Before the waveless, temperature-controlled pools of today, competitions were held in the Mediterranean Sea, the Seine River, and a little lake in St. Louis. Now with unified regulations, Olympic Aquatics consist of four disciplines— diving, swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo.

Water polo is a game of endurance that tests passing technique, shooting skill and competitive strength. It also prohibits participants from touching the bottom or side of the pool during four seven-minute quarters. Water polo initially began as an aquatic version of rugby during the mid-1800s and became so popular that it was admitted into the Games in 1900. Women’s water polo was recently added in the Sydney 2000 Games.

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