10 Olympic Water Sports List (sorted by Popularity)

The 10 Olympic water sports by popularity: swimming, diving, water polo, rowing, sailing, surfing, two canoe events, artistic and marathon swimming.

Three settings carry the whole program, the pool, the flat water course and the open sea, and the venue explains why some of these can share a site and others cannot. Each entry names the origin, the leading nations and the federation.

Olympic Water Sports List

1. Swimming
2. Surfing
3. Diving
4. Water Polo
5. Rowing
6. Sailing
7. Canoe Flatwater
8. Canoe Slalom
9. Artistic Swimming
10. Marathon Swimming

Olympic Water Sports at a Glance

Ten water sports on the Summer programme, split between the pool, the flat water course and the open sea. The venue column explains why some of them can share a stadium and others need their own coastline.

Only three of these need a purpose built venue that cannot be reused, the slalom channel, the rowing course and the sailing base. That single fact shapes which cities can realistically bid for the Games.

#1 Swimming

Swimming has an extensive history, with early evidence dating back to the Stone Age around 7,000 BCE. It is now a popular sport worldwide, with competitive swimming events held globally.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) governs the sport. Swimming made its Olympic debut in 1896, with the inclusion of four races.

Today, the Summer Olympics feature numerous swimming events, and the World Swimming Championships are held every two years.

#2 Surfing

Surfing has its origins in ancient Polynesian culture, particularly in Hawaii, where it was a central part of society.

Today, surfing is popular in countries with coastlines that offer good wave conditions, such as the USA, Australia, and Brazil. The World Surf League (WSL) holds the annual Championship Tour, and surfing made its Olympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Games.

#3 Diving

Diving, as a modern competitive sport, traces its roots to the late 19th century. The sport involves athletes jumping or falling into the water from a platform or springboard while performing acrobatic maneuvers.

It is popular worldwide and has been part of the Olympic Games since St. Louis in 1904. Various diving events and world championships are held annually under the governance of FINA.

#4 Water Polo

Water polo, a dynamic team sport combining swimming and ball handling, originated in England and Scotland during the late 19th century. It quickly gained popularity and made its Olympic debut in 1900, making it the oldest team sport in the Olympic Games.

The sport is widely popular in countries such as Hungary, Italy, the USA, and Australia, with FINA overseeing the World Water Polo Championships.

#5 Rowing

Rowing has been practiced for thousands of years as a means of transportation, warfare, and sport. The modern competitive sport of rowing is popular on rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.

It has been part of the Olympic program since the 1900 Paris Games, with the International Rowing Federation (FISA) governing the sport. World Rowing Championships, the European Rowing Championships, and other international events take place annually.

#6 Sailing

Sailing, with its origins in prehistoric times, has evolved into a widely celebrated sport practiced in coastal areas and large lakes worldwide.

The World Sailing governing body oversees the sport, with various types of boats and competitions being part of its structure. Sailing has been an Olympic sport since the 1900 Paris Games and continues to captivate audiences with its strategic and athletic challenges.

#7 Canoe Flatwater

Canoe flatwater, also known as canoe sprint, is a fast and visually impressive water sport. It involves competitors racing canoes or kayaks on calm bodies of water.

Originating in the 19th century, the sport entered the Olympic program in the 1936 Berlin Games. It is popular in many countries, especially in Europe and North America, and is governed by the International Canoe Federation (ICF).

#8 Canoe Slalom

Canoe slalom is a thrilling water sport where athletes navigate a decked canoe or kayak through a course of hanging gates set on fast-moving rivers or artificial channels.

Its roots go back to the 1930s, with the sport making its Olympic debut in the 1972 Munich Games. The ICF governs the sport, with World Championships and various international competitions held regularly.

#9 Artistic Swimming

Formerly known as synchronized swimming, artistic swimming is a captivating combination of swimming, dance, and gymnastics.

The sport originated in the early 20th century and has been an Olympic event since the 1984 Los Angeles Games. It is popular worldwide, with FINA organizing the World Artistic Swimming Championships and other international events.

#10 Marathon Swimming

Marathon swimming tests the athlete’s endurance and ability to swim long distances in open water. Generally, marathon swims cover distances of 10 kilometers or more.

While long-distance swimming has a lengthy history, the modern sport gained popularity in the early 20th century. Marathon swimming was introduced to the Olympic Games in 2008 during the Beijing Games, with the 10-kilometer open water event now a standard feature.

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