Purpose: to assess the level and degree of formation of swimming skills among swimmers-prize-winners in the distances of sports and marathon swimming at the Olympic Games at the I-III stages of their holding from 1896 to 2021.Subject of research: monitoring of the dynamics of the results of the formation of swimming skills by the level of achievements of swimmers-medalists at all Olympic Games at distances of sports swimming at the I-III stages of their holding. Material: the official protocols of competitions at all past Olympic Games at I-III stages of holding, respectively: 1896-1948, 1952-1992, 1996-2021 (among 193+420+387=1000 men and 75+388+387=850 women). Results. At the first stage of the Olympic Games from 1896-1948, the age of swimmers-medalists (men and women: 22-19 years) was determined. The overall difference in the average speed of swimming at all distances in different ways was 0.17 m/s (1.35-1.18). At the second stage of the Olympic Games from 1952-1992, the age of the swimmers-medalists was revealed: the difference between men and women was 1-4 years (21-19 years). The overall difference in the average speed of swimming at all distances in different ways was 0,17 m/s (1,70-1,53). At the third stage of the Olympic Games from 1996-2021, the difference of age of the swimmers-medalists was 1-3 years (24-23 years). The overall difference in the average swimming speed was 0.16 m/s (1,82-1,66). The smallest difference of speed in marathon swimming at 10000 m – 0,11 m/s, in stayer freestyle swimming – 400-800-1500 m at the level – 0,12 m/s, in complex swimming 200-400 m – 0,15 m /s, in relay swimming – 0,15 m/s, breaststroke at 100-200 m to – 0,17 m/s, in backstroke swimming up to – 0,18 m/s at 100-200 m, as well as in swimming 100-200 m butterfly – 0,19 m/s. The largest speed difference in swimming at 50-100-200 m freestyle was noted – 0,21 m/s. The overall difference of speed in all the results of swimmers-prize-winners in the formation of swimming skills in competitions from 1996-2021 was revealed at the level – 0,16 m/s (men – 1,82; women – 1,66; p<0,05).