Why is swimming the only olympic speed event that has four different styles for each distance?

Question

I guess I'm thinking that in track your objective is to get to the finish as fast as possible any way you can. There are no restrictions on how you run (you could run backwards, crawl, etc) and no separate events for each style. The same is true in skiing and speed skating and cycling, etc. They have different distances, like swimming, but not different strokes. I guess I am of the opinion that there should only be one race for each distance and you can swim any way you want (freestyle, fly, backstroke, dolphin kick, doggie paddle).

Answer 1

You have asked the question of all questions.  Phelps can win 8 medals for swimming different ways.  I think it is grossly unfair that there are so many different swimming events.  The shot putter gets one medal, no matter how he throws it.  The runner gets one.  The archer one, and so on.

Very unfair.

Answer 2

Ahh, but if I breaststroke while you Butterfly, I will lose big time