This study aimed to understand whether there are significant differences in stroke kinematics between tiers in female swimmers competing in the four 50 m events of the 2021 European Championships and to understand the speed-time relationship in the four race events per tier. Participants were all female swimmers (backstroke: 78 swimmers; breaststroke: 75 swimmers; butterfly: 74 swimmers; freestyle: 87 swimmers) who participated in the 50 m events at the 2021 LEN European Championships held in Budapest (i.e. heats, semi-finals, and final). For each swimming stroke, swimmers were divided into three tiers (best-performing swimmers, intermedium-performing swimmers, and poorest-performing swimmers). Swimming speed revealed a significant tier effect (p < 0.05) in all race sections for all swimming strokes. The other stroke kinematic variables revealed divergent findings, but the stroke frequency presented an overall tier effect (p < 0.05) across all four swimming strokes. Curve fitting for all swimming strokes and tiers revealed a cubic relationship. Thus, it should be considered that female swimmers who compete in 50 m events in major competitions adopt an all-out strategy. The present data provide coaches with insightful information about the main trend in 50 m sprint events, specifically in each section of the race.
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