A statistical preview of Marathon Swimming, which begins on Thursday with the Men's 10km and is then followed by the Men's 10km on Friday. Racing gets underway from the historic Pont Alexandre III bridge in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower with athletes competing in the river Seine.
Women
Defending gold medallist Ana Marcela CUNHA (BRA) has claimed four medals at this distance in world championships: one silver and three bronze.
CUNHA won her first Olympic medal in her third appearance, winning the event at Tokyo 2020, after finishing fifth at Beijing 2008 and 10th at Rio 2016.
The silver medallist at Tokyo 2020, Sharon VAN ROUWENDAAL (NED) was gold medallist at Rio 2016.
VAN ROUWENDAAL won the 10 km event at the 2022 and 2024 World Aquatics Championships.
Men
Florian WELLBROCK (GER) is the defending gold medallist and was world champion in 2019 and 2023.
WELLBROCK is a seven-time world championship medallist (three gold, two silver, two bronze): four in pool swimming and three in marathon swimming.
In addition to gold in marathon swimming, WELLBROCK took home bronze in the 1,500m freestyle at Tokyo 2020.
Gregorio PALTRINIERI (ITA) was the bronze medallist in this event at Tokyo 2020. He also won silver at Tokyo in the 800m freestyle, equalling WELLBROCK’s feat of winning medals in pool swimming and marathon swimming at the same Olympic Games.
PALTRINIERI was the gold medallist in the 1,500m freestyle at Rio 2016. He was the World Champion at 10 km in 2022.
Kristof RASOVSZKY (HUN) the silver medallist at Tokyo 2020, also claimed a silver medal in the 10km at the 2023 World Championships, finishing behind WELLBROCK.
Marc-Antoine OLIVIER (FRA) finished sixth in the 10km at Tokyo 2020 after claiming a bronze medal at Rio 2016.
General
Marathon Swimming made its debut on the Olympic programme in 2008. Thirteen NOCs have won Olympic medals in marathon swimming.
Netherlands, with three gold medals (out of eight awarded since 2008) and four in total is the only country with multiple Olympic gold medals in marathon swimming.