The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of speed abilities of top level sprint swimmers based on the peculiarities of the swimmers' emulational activity and swimming style. Elite male swimmers (n=142) with 5-12 years of experience were used for this study. Each swimmer was required to complete the 100m breast stroke. The differential estimation of efficacy of the integral characteristics of speed abilities was conducted on the basis of four components: a) the start efficacy; b) the time to swim the first 50m; c) the efficacy of approaching the turn; and d) the efficacy of pushing off after the turn. The results of this pedagogical experiment showed that during the training process of qualified swimmers the use of the operative control program with the complex estimation of athletes' efficiency of speed ability manifestation and defining on this ground their predisposition to execute the work of speed character is an important factor for optimization of training sessions and training micro cycle programs.