This week's Forum newsletter for subscribers starts with our Timeline of World records set in April through history, the month ahead stacked with anniversaries of pioneering efforts in the pool, including some key moments in the legendary careers of Mary T Meagher and fellow American Michael Phelps, Britain's Adam Peaty, and Kornelia Ender at the height of doping-fuelled dominance of the GDR and events that form a part of the story for generations of swimmers in the 1970s and 1980s, Mary T. included and women in particular.

That Timeline leads us into our Thema for the week, focussing on the shortest lists of global standards in any particular event barring the relative newcomer, mixed relays: stroke 50s beyond freestyle.

The backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly dash events have all been rejected as additions to the Olympic program suggested by the international aquatics federation in the past but are now back up for decision. Will the fact that the IOC has just elected a swimmer as its next president help turn the collective thumb upwards?

Time will tell - and time is on her side - and perhaps that of dash fans: Kirsty Coventry's term in office holding the potential for her to be in the throne during the next three Olympics, in 2028, 2032 and 2036, 100 years after one of the darkest chapters in Olympic history.

Our 'History of Swimming in 100 ...' Series concludes this Forum ...