Hawaii Duke Kahanamoku Swimming 1920 Real Photo Postcard

Competitive diving emerged as a formalized sport in the early 20th century, gaining international recognition with its inclusion in the Olympic Games, notably starting with men's platform diving in 1904. The athlete's posture, captured mid-preparation for a dive, exemplifies the refined technique and physical discipline increasingly valued in aquatic sports during this era, while the swimwear reflects the evolving, more streamlined designs for competitive male athletes of the period.