In the swimming medley relay involving four different swimmers, which stroke always begins the race?

The medley relay consists of four different swimmers in one relay race, each swimming one of the four strokes, as opposed to the individual medley which consists of a single swimmer swimming equal distances of four different strokes within one race. The individual medley relay always begins with the butterfly stroke.

In the medley relay, the backstroke is the first leg and is started from the water. The remaining strokes are sorted according to the speed, with breaststroke being the slowest and freestyle being the fastest stroke.The order of the strokes is as follows: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.

The only limit on the freestyle is that the previous backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly may not be used for this leg. Most swimmers use the front crawl.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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15 Comments

Steve Bush

Oh My God. I chose the picture. Butterfly. How wrong can I be. The photo has always been the answer. Now I know.

Leapy Lee

David Lamoreaux, I think you are confused with the individual medley which is butterfly first. Medley relays always start with backstroke. If you think about it there is no other way they could start and successfully change over to the next swimmer.

David Lamoreaux

backstroke was the first in old days but sources show butterfly in later times.

earlepg

Almost let the picture and the fact that that I was picture the indivudual swimmer influence my choice of the butterfly. Woke up to the backstroke just in time.

sftcw

Louella Wilson, because backstroke starts in the water not from the starting block. For a relay, it is impossible for the backstroke to start (except in the opening leg) with the swimmer in the previous leg coming toward the finishing wall. It’s OK though for the individual medley because the same swimmer can do the back stroke start after finishing his/her butterfly leg.

Louella Wilson

In a team medley (or relay) the backstroke must be swum first, as it is the only stroke (according to the rules) that cannot begin by diving into the pool. Otherwise change overs would be chaotic. But I am a bit puzzled as to why the order is different for individual medley.

Albeck1994

May Tuan Tucker, PHD, pretty straightforward

Barcud coch

Question says medley race involving 4 swimmers. Answer is backstroke. Butterfly stroke for individual medley.

Naked Kitty Slave

butterfly stroke The medley relay consists of four different swimmers in one relay race, each swimming one of the four strokes, as opposed to the individual medley which consists of a single swimmer swimming equal distances of four different strokes within one race. The individual medley relay always begins with the butterfly stroke. QuizzClub › trivia › answer In the swimming medley relay... | Trivia Answers | QuizzClub

Barcud coch

Just remember that the individual medley (one person for the entire race) always begins with the butterfly, followed by the backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. A relay medley involving four swimmers always begins in the water with the backstroke followed by the breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle. The question relates to the relay medley race involving four different swimmers. Hope that helps.