The first world record in the men's 1500 metres freestyle in a long course (50 metres) swimming pool was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908. [1] In short course (25 metres) pools, the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 22:48.4 | Henry Taylor | ![]() | Jul 25, 1908 | 1908 Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | [2] | |
2 | 22:00.0 | George Hodgson | ![]() | Jul 10, 1912 | 1912 Olympic Games | Stockholm, Sweden | ||
3 | 21:35.3 | Arne Borg | ![]() | Jul 8, 1923 | - | Gothenburg, Sweden | ||
4 | 21:15.0 | Arne Borg | ![]() | Jan 30, 1924 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
5 | 21:11.4 | Arne Borg | ![]() | Jul 13, 1924 | - | Paris, France | ||
6 | 20:06.6 | Boy Charlton | ![]() | Jul 15, 1924 | 1924 Olympic Games | Paris, France | ||
7 | 20:04.4 | Arne Borg | ![]() | Aug 18, 1926 | - | Budapest, Hungary | ||
8 | 19:07.2 | Arne Borg | ![]() | Sep 2, 1927 | 1927 European Aquatics Championships | Bologna, Italy | ||
9 | 18:58.8 | Tomikatsu Amano | ![]() | Aug 10, 1938 | - | Tokyo, Japan | ||
10 | 18:35.7 | Shiro Hashizume | ![]() | Aug 16, 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
11 | 18:19.0 | Hironoshin Furuhashi | ![]() | Aug 16, 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
12 | 18:05.9 | George Breen | ![]() | May 3, 1956 | - | New Haven, United States | ||
13 | 17:59.5 | Murray Rose | ![]() | Oct 30, 1956 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
14 | 17:52.9 | George Breen | ![]() | Dec 5, 1956 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
15 | 17:28.7 | John Konrads | ![]() | Feb 22, 1958 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
16 | 17:11.0 | John Konrads | ![]() | Feb 27, 1960 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
17 | 17:05.5 | Roy Saari | ![]() | Aug 17, 1963 | - | Tokyo, Japan | ||
18 | 17:01.8 | Murray Rose | ![]() | Aug 2, 1964 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
19 | 16:58.7 | Roy Saari | ![]() | Sep 2, 1964 | - | New York City, United States | ||
20 | 16:58.6 | Stephen Krause | ![]() | Aug 15, 1965 | - | Maumee, United States | ||
21 | 16:41.6 | Michael Burton | ![]() | Aug 21, 1966 | - | Lincoln, United States | ||
22 | 16:34.1 | Michael Burton | ![]() | Aug 13, 1967 | AAU Nationals | Oak Park, United States | ||
23 | 16:28.1 | Guillermo Echevarria | ![]() | Jul 7, 1968 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, United States | ||
24 | 16:08.57 | Michael Burton | ![]() | Sep 3, 1968 | USA Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States | ||
25 | 16:04.5 | Michael Burton | ![]() | Aug 17, 1969 | AAU Nationals | Louisville, United States | ||
26 | 15:57.10 | John Kinsella | ![]() | Aug 23, 1970 | AAU Nationals | Los Angeles, United States | ||
27 | 15:52.91 | Rick DeMont | ![]() | Aug 6, 1972 | USA Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States | ||
28 | 15:52.58 | Michael Burton | ![]() | Sep 4, 1972 | 1972 Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany | ||
29 | 15:51.02 | Rick DeMont | ![]() | Aug 25, 1973 | AAU Nationals | Louisville, United States | ||
30 | 15:37.80 | Stephen Holland | ![]() | Sep 5, 1973 | Pre World Championship meet | Brisbane, Australia | ||
31 | 15:31.85 | Stephen Holland | ![]() | Sep 8, 1973 | 1973 World Aquatics Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | ||
32 | 15:31.75 | Tim Shaw | ![]() | Aug 25, 1974 | AAU Nationals | Concord, United States | ||
33 | 15:27.79 | Stephen Holland | ![]() | Jan 25, 1975 | New Zealand Games | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||
34 | 15:20.91 | Tim Shaw | ![]() | Jun 21, 1975 | USA World Championship Trials | Long Beach, United States | ||
35 | 15:10.89 | Stephen Holland | ![]() | Feb 27, 1976 | AUS Olympic Trials | Sydney, Australia | ||
36 | 15:06.66 | Brian Goodell | ![]() | Jun 21, 1976 | USA Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States | ||
37 | 15:02.40 | Brian Goodell | ![]() | Jul 20, 1976 | 1976 Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada | ||
38 | 14:58.27 | Vladimir Salnikov | ![]() | Jul 22, 1980 | 1980 Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union | ||
39 | 14:56.35 | Vladimir Salnikov | ![]() | Mar 13, 1982 | URSvGDR Duel | Moscow, Soviet Union | ||
40 | 14:54.76 | Vladimir Salnikov | ![]() | Feb 22, 1983 | URS Winter Nationals | Moscow, Soviet Union | ||
Unofficial | 14:53.59 | Glen Housman | ![]() | Dec 13, 1989 | Australian Commonwealth Games Trials | Adelaide, Australia | [3] | |
41 | 14:50.36 | Jörg Hoffmann | ![]() | Jan 13, 1991 | 1991 World Aquatics Championships | Perth, Australia | ||
42 | 14:48.40 | Kieren Perkins | ![]() | Apr 5, 1992 | AUS Olympic Trials | Canberra, Australia | ||
43 | 14:43.48 | Kieren Perkins | ![]() | Jul 31, 1992 | 1992 Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | ||
44 | 14:41.66 | Kieren Perkins | ![]() | Aug 24, 1994 | 1994 Commonwealth Games | Victoria, Canada | [4] | |
45 | 14:34.56 | Grant Hackett | ![]() | Jul 29, 2001 | 2001 World Aquatics Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | [4] | |
46 | 14:34.14 | Sun Yang | ![]() | Jul 31, 2011 | 2011 World Aquatic Championships | Shanghai, China | [5] [6] | |
47 | 14:31.02 | Sun Yang | ![]() | Aug 4, 2012 | 2012 Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | ||
48 | 14:30.67 | Bobby Finke | ![]() | Aug 4, 2024 | 2024 Olympic Games | Paris, France | [7] |
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 14:32.40 | Kieren Perkins | ![]() | Feb 2, 1992 | Grand Prix | Canberra, Australia | ||
2 | 14:26.52 | Kieren Perkins | ![]() | Jul 14, 1993 | - | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
3 | 14:19.55 | Grant Hackett | ![]() | Sep 27, 1998 | Australian SC Championships | Perth, Australia | [8] | |
4 | 14:10.10 | Grant Hackett | ![]() | Aug 7, 2001 | Australian SC Championships | Perth, Australia | [8] | |
5 | 14:08.06 | Gregorio Paltrinieri | ![]() | Dec 4, 2015 | European SC Championships | Netanya, Israel | [9] | |
6 | 14:06.88 | Florian Wellbrock | ![]() | 21 December 2021 | World Championships | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | [10] |
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 25:06.6 | Helen Wainwright | ![]() | Aug 19, 1922 | - | New York City, United States | ||
2 | 24:07.6 | Ethel McGary | ![]() | Dec 31, 1925 | - | Coral Gables, United States | ||
3 | 24:00.2 | Edith Mayne | ![]() | Sep 15, 1926 | - | Exmouth, United Kingdom | ||
4 | 23:44.6 | Martha Norelius | ![]() | Jul 28, 1927 | - | Massapequa, United States | ||
5 | 23:17.2 | Helene Madison | ![]() | Jul 15, 1931 | - | New York City, United States | ||
6 | 22:36.7 | Grete Frederiksen | ![]() | Jun 26, 1936 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
7 | 21:45.7 | Ragnhild Hveger | ![]() | Jul 3, 1938 | - | Helsinki, Finland | ||
8 | 21:10.1 | Ragnhild Hveger | ![]() | Aug 11, 1940 | - | Helsinki, Finland | ||
9 | 20:57.0 | Ragnhild Hveger | ![]() | Aug 20, 1941 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
10 | 20:46.5 | Lenie de Nijs | ![]() | Jul 23, 1955 | - | Utrecht, Netherlands | ||
11 | 20:22.8 | Jans Koster | ![]() | Aug 21, 1956 | - | Utrecht, Netherlands | ||
12 | 20:03.1 | Jans Koster | ![]() | Jul 27, 1957 | - | Hilversum, Netherlands | ||
13 | 19:25.7 | Ilsa Konrads | ![]() | Jan 13, 1960 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
14 | 19:23.6 | Jane Cederqvist | ![]() | Sep 8, 1960 | - | Uppsala, Sweden | ||
15 | 19:02.8 | Margareta Rylander | ![]() | Jun 27, 1961 | - | Uppsala, Sweden | ||
16 | 18:44.0 | Carolyn House | ![]() | Aug 16, 1962 | - | Chicago, United States | ||
17 | 18:30.5 | Patty Caretto | ![]() | Jul 30, 1964 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
18 | 18:23.7 | Patty Caretto | ![]() | Aug 12, 1965 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
19 | 18:12.9 | Patty Caretto | ![]() | Aug 21, 1966 | - | Lincoln, United States | ||
20 | 18:11.1 | Debbie Meyer | ![]() | Jul 9, 1967 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, United States | ||
21 | 17:50.2 | Debbie Meyer | ![]() | Aug 20, 1967 | AAU Nationals | Philadelphia, United States | ||
22 | 17:31.2 | Debbie Meyer | ![]() | Aug 21, 1968 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
23 | 17:19.9 | Debbie Meyer | ![]() | Aug 17, 1969 | AAU Nationals | Louisville, United States | ||
24 | 17:19.20 | Cathy Calhoun | ![]() | Aug 28, 1971 | AAU Nationals | Houston, United States | ||
25 | 17:00.6 | Shane Gould | ![]() | Dec 12, 1971 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
26 | 16:56.9 | Shane Gould | ![]() | Feb 11, 1973 | AUS Nationals | Adelaide, Australia | ||
27 | 16:54.14 | Jo Harshbarger | ![]() | Aug 25, 1973 | USA World Championship Trials | Louisville, United States | ||
28 | 16:49.9 | Jennifer Turrall | ![]() | Dec 9, 1973 | Top-level meet | Sydney, Australia | ||
29 | 16:48.2 | Jennifer Turrall | ![]() | Jan 9, 1974 | NSW State Championships | Sydney, Australia | ||
30 | 16:43.4 | Jennifer Turrall | ![]() | Jul 13, 1974 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
31 | 16:39.28 | Jennifer Turrall | ![]() | Aug 3, 1974 | Los Angeles Invitational | Los Angeles, United States | ||
32 | 16:33.94 | Jennifer Turrall | ![]() | Aug 25, 1974 | AAU Nationals | Concord, United States | ||
33 | 16:24.60 | Alice Browne | ![]() | Aug 21, 1977 | AAU Nationals | Mission Viejo, United States | ||
34 | 16:14.93 | Tracey Wickham | ![]() | Feb 8, 1978 | Invitational | Brisbane, Australia | ||
35 | 16:06.63 | Tracey Wickham | ![]() | Feb 25, 1979 | AUS Nationals | Perth, Australia | ||
36 | 16:04.49 | Kim Linehan | ![]() | Aug 19, 1979 | AAU Nationals | Fort Lauderdale, United States | ||
37 | 16:00.73 | Janet Evans | ![]() | Jul 31, 1987 | USA Nationals & Pan Pacific Trials | Orlando, United States | ||
38 | 15:52.10 | Janet Evans | ![]() | Mar 26, 1988 | USA Spring Nationals | Orlando, United States | ||
39 | 15:42.54 | Kate Ziegler | ![]() | Jun 17, 2007 | TYR Meet of Champions | Mission Viejo, United States | [11] | |
40 | 15:36.53 | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | Jul 30, 2013 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain | [12] | |
41 | 15:34.23 | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | Jun 19, 2014 | Woodlands Senior Invitational Meet | Shenandoah, United States | [13] | |
42 | 15:28.36 | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | Aug 24, 2014 | Pan Pacific Championships | Gold Coast, Australia | [14] | |
43 | 15:27.71 | h | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | Aug 3, 2015 | World Championships | Kazan, Russia | [15] [16] |
44 | 15:25.48 | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | Aug 4, 2015 | World Championships | Kazan, Russia | [17] | |
45 | 15:20.48 | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | May 16, 2018 | TYR Pro Swim Series | Indianapolis, United States | [18] |
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15:43.31 | Petra Schneider | ![]() | Jan 10, 1982 | - | Gainesville, United States | ||
2 | 15:42.39 | Laure Manaudou | ![]() | Nov 20, 2004 | Regional meet | La Roche-sur-Yon, France | [19] | |
3 | 15:32.90 | Kate Ziegler | ![]() | Oct 12, 2007 | Alex Athletics Jubiläums Challenge | Essen, Germany | [19] | |
4 | 15:28.65 | Lotte Friis | ![]() | Nov 29, 2009 | Local Club Meet | Copenhagen, Denmark | [20] | |
5 | 15:26.95 | Mireia Belmonte | ![]() | Nov 29, 2013 | Spanish Championships | Castelló de la Plana, Spain | [21] | |
6 | 15:22.68 | Lauren Boyle | ![]() | Aug 9, 2014 | Wellington Winter Championships | Wellington, New Zealand | [22] | |
7 | 15:19.71 | Mireia Belmonte | ![]() | Dec 12, 2014 | Spanish Championships | Sabadell, Spain | [23] | |
8 | 15:18.01 | Sarah Köhler | ![]() | Nov 16, 2019 | German Championships | Berlin, Germany | [24] | |
9 | 15:08.24 | Katie Ledecky | ![]() | Oct 29, 2022 | FINA World Cup | Toronto, Canada | [25] |
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 14:30.67 | ![]() | 4 August 2024 | Paris | [27] |
2 | 14:31.02 | ![]() | 4 August 2012 | London | |
3 | 14:31.54 | ![]() | 30 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [28] |
4 | 14:32.80 | ![]() | 25 June 2022 | Budapest | [29] |
5 | 14:34.07 | ![]() | 18 February 2024 | Doha | [30] |
6 | 14:34.56 | ![]() | 29 July 2001 | Fukuoka | |
7 | 14:34.89 | ![]() | 21 April 2023 | Berlin | [31] |
8 | 14:36.10 | ![]() | 16 August 2022 | Rome | [32] |
9 | 14:37.28 | ![]() | 2 August 2009 | Rome | |
![]() | 30 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [33] | ||
11 | 14:39.48 | ![]() | 13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |
12 | 14:39.54 | ![]() | 13 April 2016 | Adelaide | |
13 | 14:39.63 | ![]() | 4 August 2012 | London | |
14 | 14:40.28 | ![]() | 25 March 2022 | Magdeburg | [34] |
15 | 14:40.86 | ![]() | 13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |
16 | 14:40.91 | ![]() | 4 August 2024 | Paris | [35] |
17 | 14:41.13 | ![]() | 15 August 2008 | Beijing | |
18 | 14:41.22 | ![]() | 4 August 2024 | Paris | [36] |
19 | 14:41.66 | ![]() | 24 August 1994 | Victoria | |
20 | 14:43.35 | ![]() | 4 August 2024 | Paris | [37] |
21 | 14:43.53 | ![]() | 11 August 2023 | Dublin | [38] |
22 | 14:44.66 | ![]() | 4 August 2024 | Paris | [39] |
23 | 14:45.03 | ![]() | 13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |
24 | 14:45.29 | ![]() | 21 August 2004 | Athens | |
25 | 14:45.35 | ![]() | 28 July 2019 | Gwangju |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 14:45.35:
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 14:06.88 | ![]() | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | [41] |
2 | 14:08.06 | ![]() | 4 December 2015 | Netanya | |
3 | 14:09.11 | ![]() | 7 December 2023 | Otopeni | [42] |
4 | 14:09.14 | ![]() | 16 December 2018 | Huangzhou | |
5 | 14:10.10 | ![]() | 7 August 2001 | Australia | |
6 | 14:10.94 | ![]() | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | |
7 | 14:15.51 | ![]() | 11 December 2016 | Windsor | |
8 | 14:16.13 | ![]() | 9 December 2006 | Finland | |
9 | 14:18.00 | ![]() | 4 December 2015 | Netanya | |
10 | 14:18.15 | ![]() | 6 December 2019 | Great Britain | |
11 | 14:18.79 | ![]() | 7 December 2014 | Doha | |
12 | 14:19.29 | ![]() | 12 December 2015 | United States | |
13 | 14:19.62 | ![]() | 13 December 2022 | Melbourne | [43] |
14 | 14:20.44 | ![]() | 12 December 2009 | Istanbul | |
15 | 14:21.78 | ![]() | 7 December 2023 | Otopeni | [44] |
16 | 14:22.47 | ![]() | 21 February 2009 | Tokyo | [45] |
17 | 14:22.77 | ![]() | 27 August 2022 | Sydney | [46] |
18 | 14:23.27 | ![]() | 1 November 2023 | Debrecen | [47] |
19 | 14:23.31 | ![]() | 1 November 2023 | Debrecen | [48] |
20 | 14:23.35 | ![]() | 7 December 2014 | Doha | |
21 | 14:24.00 | ![]() | 17 December 2016 | Great Britain | |
22 | 14:24.17 | ![]() | 25 November 2023 | Saint Petersburg | [49] |
23 | 14:24.21 | ![]() | 13 December 2008 | Rijeka | |
24 | 14:24.31 | ![]() | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | [50] |
25 | 14:24.54 | ![]() | 15 December 2007 | Budapest |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 14:24.54:
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15:20.48 | ![]() | 16 May 2018 | Indianapolis | |
2 | 15:38.88 | ![]() | 30 July 2013 | Barcelona | |
3 | 15:40.14 | ![]() | 4 August 2015 | Kazan | |
4 | 15:40.35 | ![]() | 31 July 2024 | Paris | [52] |
5 | 15:40.89 | ![]() | 23 July 2019 | Gwangju | |
6 | 15:41.16 | ![]() | 31 July 2024 | Paris | [53] |
7 | 15:41.41 | ![]() | 28 July 2021 | Tokyo | [54] |
8 | 15:41.49 | ![]() | 26 July 2021 | Tokyo | [55] |
9 | 15:42.54 | ![]() | 17 June 2007 | Mission Viejo | |
10 | 15:42.91 | ![]() | 28 July 2021 | Tokyo | [56] |
11 | 15:44.89 | ![]() | 20 June 2022 | Budapest | [57] |
12 | 15:44.93 | ![]() | 28 July 2009 | Rome | |
13 | 15:45.71 | ![]() | 25 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [58] |
14 | 15:46.13 | ![]() | 15 June 2021 | Adelaide | [59] |
15 | 15:47.09 | ![]() | 4 August 2015 | Kazan | |
16 | 15:47.26 | ![]() | 26 June 2013 | Sheffield | |
17 | 15:48.96 | ![]() | 20 June 2022 | Budapest | [60] |
18 | 15:50.89 | ![]() | 25 July 2017 | Budapest | |
19 | 15:51.68 | ![]() | 15 June 2019 | Barcelona | |
20 | 15:52.10 | ![]() | 26 March 1988 | Orlando | |
21 | 15:52.17 | ![]() | 4 August 2015 | Kazan | |
22 | 15:52.37 | ![]() | 22 April 2009 | Montpellier | |
23 | 15:54.19 | ![]() | 23 July 2019 | Gwangju | |
24 | 15:54.30 | ![]() | 29 July 2013 | Barcelona | |
25 | 15:54.48 | ![]() | 21 July 2019 | Gwangju |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 15:54.48:
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15:08.24 | ![]() | 29 October 2022 | Toronto | [62] |
2 | 15:18.01 | ![]() | 16 November 2019 | Berlin | |
3 | 15:18.30 | ![]() | 5 November 2021 | Kazan | [63] |
4 | 15:19.71 | ![]() | 12 December 2014 | Sabadell | |
5 | 15:21.43 | ![]() | 16 December 2022 | Melbourne | [64] |
6 | 15:22.68 | ![]() | 9 August 2014 | Wellington | |
7 | 15:25.50 | ![]() | 18 November 2023 | Wuppertal | [65] |
8 | 15:28.65 | ![]() | 28 November 2009 | Birkerød | |
9 | 15:29.74 | ![]() | 5 March 2021 | Rome | [66] |
24 April 2021 | Pietralata | [67] | |||
10 | 15:31.19 | ![]() | 26 September 2020 | Brisbane | |
11 | 15:32.90 | ![]() | 14 October 2007 | Essen | |
12 | 15:34.31 | ![]() | 26 November 2020 | Brisbane | |
13 | 15:36.43 | ![]() | 5 March 2021 | Rome | [68] |
14 | 15:37.78 | ![]() | 26 November 2009 | Castellon | |
15 | 15:38.64 | ![]() | 26 November 2020 | Brisbane | |
16 | 15:40.05 | ![]() | 25 October 2019 | Wuppertal | [69] |
17 | 15:40.52 | ![]() | 26 November 2020 | Brisbane | |
18 | 15:41.80 | ![]() | 28 October 2022 | Beijing | [70] |
19 | 15:42.05 | ![]() | 4 November 2022 | Indianapolis | [71] |
20 | 15:42.39 | ![]() | 20 November 2004 | La Roche-sur-Yon | |
21 | 15:43.31 | ![]() | 10 January 1982 | Gainesville | |
22 | 15:43.83 | ![]() | 25 November 2015 | Sydney | |
23 | 15:44.84 | ![]() | 14 February 2021 | Yokohama | [72] |
24 | 15:45.29 | ![]() | 22 December 2020 | Istanbul | |
25 | 15:45.89 | ![]() | 22 August 2013 | Sydney |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 15:45.89:
The first world record in the 100 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1905. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events, the world's governing body recognizes world records since 3 March 1991.
This is a history of the progression of the world record for the 200 metres freestyle swimming event. It is a listing of the fastest-times-ever swum in the event, in both long course (50m) and short course (25m) swimming pools. These records are maintained and recognized by FINA, which oversees international competitive swimming and Aquatics.
The first world record in the men's 400 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since 3 March 1991.
The first world record in the women's 800 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1931. The women's 880 yard freestyle had been a FINA-recognized world record event since 1919. However, in 1931 FINA decreed that only performances from 1931 onward would be eligible for world record consideration in the 800 metres freestyle. Thus Helene Madison's 1930 world record of 11:41.2 in the 880 yard freestyle was not considered a world record in the 800 metres freestyle even though it was over a longer distance and substantially faster than Yvonne Godard's 1931 world record of 12:18.8 in the 800 metres freestyle. In 1933, Lenore Kight swam the 880 yard freestyle in 11:44.0, which FINA recognised as a world record in the 800 metres freestyle but not in the 880 yard freestyle. This irregularity was finally resolved in 1935, when Kight's 11:34.4 in the 880 yard freestyle broke the records for both the 880 yard freestyle and the 800 metres freestyle. Because of this situation, the world records for the 880 yard freestyle for women from 1919 to 1930 are included below.
Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky is an American competitive swimmer. She has won nine Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship gold medals, the most in history for a female swimmer. With 14 medals and 9 gold medals, she is also the most decorated American woman, most decorated female swimmer, the female with the most gold medals and fifth-most decorated athlete in Olympic history. She has won a record 16 individual gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships. Ledecky's eight individual medals at the Olympics and 26 overall medals at the World Aquatics Championships are records in women's swimming. Ledecky is the world record holder in the women's 800- and 1500-meter freestyle, as well as the former world record holder in the women's 400-meter freestyle. She also holds the fastest-ever times in the women's 500-, 1000-, and 1650-yard freestyle events. She is widely regarded as the greatest female swimmer of all time and one of the greatest Olympians of all time.
Ahmed Ayoub Hafnaoui is a Tunisian swimmer. He is the African record holder in the long course 400-metre and 1500-metre freestyle, and the short course 800-metre and 1500-metre freestyle events. He competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he won a gold medal in the men's 400-metre freestyle. He ranked No. 16 in the world and was the slowest qualifier for the final race but won Olympic gold with a time of 3:43.36. Hafnaoui was the only Tunisian to win Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020.
Lani Pallister is an Australian competitive swimmer. She is a world record holder in two sports, with a world record in swimming, the short course 4×200-metre freestyle relay, and world records in life saving for the youth age group in the 100-metre rescue medley and 200-metre super lifesaver. She holds the Oceanian, Commonwealth, and Australian records in the short course 1500-metre freestyle and the Australian record in the short course 800-metre freestyle. She is the first female World Short Course champion in the 1500-metre freestyle, winning the inaugural event for women at the 2022 edition. Over the course of the 2022 World Short Course Championships, she won the gold medal in each of the four events she contested.