Books by John Lohn

This book looks at the 100 greatest swimmers in history and features such icons and rising stars as Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and Mark Spitz. Each chapter includes biographical information, accomplishments, records, and finest performances. This edition has been updated to include two additional World Championships and the 2016 Olympics.

This book brings to life the most memorable Olympic swimming moments in history, ranging from the early days of the games to the present. It describes in detail the best races and rivalries as well as the best stories of the Olympic Movement.

Competitive swimming is one of only five sports to have been contested at every Olympic Games since the first competition of the modern era was held in 1896. While only a handful of swimming events took place that year, the sport has grown considerably since thenat the 2012 Olympic Games in London, there were 16 swimming events on the schedule for both men and women. The growth of competitive swimming has given athletes the opportunity to push the limits in the pool, and for more than a century countless swimmers have done just that, proving their worth to be considered one of the best. They Ruled the Pool looks at the careers of the 100 greatest swimmers in history, profiling some of the biggest names the sport has seen, from Mark Spitz and Tracy Caulkins to Janet Evans and Michael Phelps. Each swimmer is ranked based on achievements such as Olympic medals, world and European championships, and world records. Chapters include biographical information, accomplishments, records, finest performances, and insight into how the swimmer became one of the best in the sport. Thoroughly researched and compiled, They Ruled the Pool also contains appendixes that serve as quick reference tools for those wanting to see world and Olympic medal counts of the profiled swimmers. Fans, coaches, athletes, and researchers alike will find this an indispensable resource.

Swimming has been an Olympic sport since the inception of the Games, with the 100, 400, and 1500 freestyles being the original events along with the 100 freestyle for sailors. While the spirit of the sport remains the same, the technology and the competitive formats have advanced tremendously through the years. The number of events contested in competition has increased to the point where the program for a typical international meet, such as the World Championships or Olympics, produces a true reflection of the best swimmers over various distances and in different strokes.The Historical Dictionary of Competitive Swimming examines the sport of swimming since its inception as a competitive athletic event. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and appendixes that detail Olympic and World Championships medal winners. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on individuals, major competitions, and there are also entries for each of the competitive strokes and countries that have enjoyed significant success in the sport.