What are the qualifying times for swimming for the Olympics?

Question

Like is there a sheet that says "You need this time to qualify for the olympic trials" I mean how do people know there good enough if there wasnt? Please give me the sheet too.

Answer 1

In order to qualify for the Olympics, you need to be selected by your country's Olympic committee. In the US, that means you have to place in the top 2 in some event at the US Olympic Trials. In order to qualify for the US Olympic Trials, you need to make the cuts, which are faster than US Nationals Cuts.

The cuts change each year and are F-A-S-T, because they are intentionally trying to limit the number of swimmers in each event. Here are the cuts for the indoor Nationals this winter, to give you a taste:

http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rain...

And here are the cuts for the US Trials to make the 2009 World Championships team:

http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rain...

The 2012 Olympic Trial cutoffs haven't been set yet, and won't be for awhile.