A History of the Backstroke Start and Backstroke Wedge

Thomas Ceccon of Italy competes in the 100m Backstroke Men Final during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 25th, 2023.

World-record holder Thomas Ceccon performing a backstroke start -- Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

A Look Back Into the Past: A History of the Backstroke Start and Backstroke Wedge

The backstroke start is arguably the most unique start in the sport of swimming. But how did it come to be what we know today?

A Brief History of Backstroke

As the second stroke to be contested at the Olympics, backstroke is often said to be the inverse of freestyle. Backstroke made its debut at the 1900 Olympic Games, where only the 200-meter race was offered to male swimmers. In the following Olympics, the 200 backstroke was removed as an event, but it would eventually be reinstated in 1964. The 100 backstroke was introduced as an event at the 1908 Olympics. The 1968 Games was the first Olympics in which both the 100 and 200 backstroke events were held.

1924 was the first year in which women were able to compete in the 100 backstroke at the Olympics. It was not until 1968 that women were able to also compete in the 200 backstroke.

After several rule changes over decades, including the introduction of the backstroke flip turn (where swimmers could flip onto their stomach prior to the somersault) and the 15-meter underwater rule, backstroke has evolved into the stroke that we are familiar with today.

The Backstroke Start

The backstroke start is the only start in which the swimmer begins the race in the water. However, in the early stages of backstroke, it was not uncommon for swimmers to stand on the gutter, grip the top of the block, and dive backwards. Additionally, in the early 20th century, swimmers could also hold on to the lip of the pool and push off the pool edge to gain momentum. In the mid 20th century, backstroke bars were finally implemented in competition. Notably, during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the starting blocks had three hand grips for backstroke starts, one vertical and two horizontal at different heights.

In the past several decades, World Aquatics (previously known as FINA) has implemented rules governing the start, such as banning standing on or bending the toes over the gutter.

The Backstroke Wedge

The slipping of the feet has been a common problem for backstroke starts since World Aquatics imposed the rule that swimmers could not curl their toes over the edge of the pool or touchpad. A well-known example of this problem is Elizabeth Beisel’s 200 backstroke at the 2014 U.S. National Championships. Beisel came into finals as the top seed in this event. Unfortunately, her feet slid down on the start, costing her the entire race. She finished sixth overall, putting her spot on the Pan Pacific Championships team in doubt (although she would later qualify in the 400 IM).

A solution was finally proposed for this problem this past decade. In 2013, World Aquatics approved the concept of the backstroke “wedge.” World Aquatics’ rules specify the dimensions and design of the backstroke wedges, ensuring that they provide a consistent and safe starting position for all swimmers. The purpose of these wedges is to provide all swimmers with an equal and stable platform for their feet.

World Aquatics partnered with Omega and Myrtha Pools to develop a system where the wedge would hang off the block into the water. The swimmer could adjust the wedge height to their liking. In the summer of 2013, this wedge system was tested at national championships across the world, including the United States.

Eventually, other companies such as Colorado Time Systems introduced the pull-down wedge system. This wedge system was made specifically for pools with walls that end at water level. The user manually pulls down the wedge to their desired height and sets their feet on it, keeping it in place until the user pushes off and dives. At this point, the wedge retracts back to its normal position out of the water.

The backstroke wedge was first used at an Olympic Games in 2016. Since then, the use of backstroke wedges has become widespread in competitive swimming.

Wedge Controversy

But in the years since, the use of the wedge has resulted in some issues at various points, with two particularly memorable situations in 2019. When Omega blocks are in use, officials must pull the wedges out of the water after the swimmer begins the race. At the 2019 NCAA Men’s Championships, one official forgot to do so in a 100-yard back preliminary heat for Cal’s Daniel Carr, who slipped on the turn as his feet his the wedge. Carr initially missed the top-16, but later on, he was granted a re-swim. In the resulting solo race, Carr blasted his best time to qualify for the A-final, and the moment was a turning point in an eventual Cal national championship.

Months later at the World Championships, the semifinals of the women’s and men’s 100-meter back almost went off without the wedges after numerous swimmers slipped in prelims. Italy’s Simone Sabbioni slipped twice, in his normal prelims swim and again in his first re-swim attempt. In the end, swimmer and coach pushback convinced World Aquatics to allow the wedges in the semifinals but swimmers were not allowed to adjust the height. And to ensure fairness after the re-swims, 18 men swam in the semifinals instead of the usual 16.

The use of backstroke wedges has not been without controversy or drama, but as a whole, their implementation has been successful. Swimmers are at less risk of slipping off a backstroke start, evening the playing field and ensuring the best swimmers will come out on top.

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Old Blue

6 months ago

The wedge has been around since at least the late 70’s or early 80’s. I remember using them at the Yale pool. They were perhaps invented or developed or improved or supported by Yale Coach Phil Moriarty. My recollection is they were allowed in dual meet competitions but were never approved by any of the swimming swimming bodies.

Pete Kennedy

6 months ago

Reply to Old Blue

correct Phil invented the wedge. Max Ritter opposed Phil’s wedge because in interfered with his timing machine. Phil was unable because of Ritter to have his wedge approved by FINA or theNCAA

Pete Kennedy

6 months ago

Phil Mority invented the wedge. After it conflicted with Max Ritter’s timing Device
Phil lost the chance to have his wedge approved by Ncaa or especially FINA.