The event of 400m individual medley (Women) is considered to be one of the most difficult swimming events. In this particular event the swimmers need to be of high energy level. They also need to be very immaculate in the four strokes like Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle. The 400m individual medley (Women) is held in pools of 50 m length. To complete the event, the swimmers need to make 8 rounds of the pool. The strokes of Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle need to be followed in the perfect order. If the swimmers make any fault in maintaining the order, they are declared disqualified. For every stroke the swimmers are required to cover 100 m in the event of (Women) 400m Individual Medley.
European swimmers and the US swimmers have been the favorites in the (Women) Individual Medley 400m since the introduction of this event in the Summer Games in 1964 Mexico City Olympics. The other countries, which have proved their excellence in this event, are Australia, Ukraine. Till date, the Olympic gold medallists in 400m individual medley (Women) are:
Donna de Varona
Claudia Kolb
Tracey Caulkins
Janet Evans
Gail Neall
Ulrike Tauber
Kristina Egerszegi
Michelle Smith
Yana Klochkova
In 2008 Beijing Summer Games, the heat rounds of 400m individual medley (Women) will be held in the evening session on 9th August and the final will take place on the next day in the morning session.
