To achieve this successful competitive state, swimmers and coaches need to work at developing a wide range of performance factors in training and in preparation for racing. If successful competitive swimming was only about SWIMMING FAST - then preparation need only focus on the physiology of training and racing. However, the nature of competition requires athletes to SWIM FAST when fatigued and when experiencing the pressures of the competitive environment. The physical and mental aspects of performance are closely linked and very much dependent on each other for competitive swimming success. Swimming fast is a combination of performance factors that in general can be classified as: Physical Mental Technical Tactical There is a complex and constant interrelationship between these performance factors and variations or changes in any one can have an impact on any or all of the others. This article will explore the relationship between physical and mental performance factors and how they can be used to make training and preparation for competition more effective.