World record progression 100 metres freestyle

A 100-metre pool was built for the 1908 Olympics and sat in the centre of the main stadium's track and field oval.

Male swimmers wore full body suits up until the 1940s, which caused more drag in the water than their modern swim-wear counterparts.

Some design considerations allow for the reduction of swimming resistance making the pool faster.

Pure polyurethane suits from Arena (X-Glide), Adidas (Hydrofoil) and Italian suit manufacturer, Jaked were thought to be largely responsible for the multiple World Records in 2009 including at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships (dubbed the "Plastic Games").

* Swim was never ratified by FINA as a world record since Bernard wore an unapproved swimsuit.