There was a time when swim caps did more than just protect swim athletes' hair from harsh elements, and reduce swimmers drag. They were indispensable fashion accessories. About 70 years ago, no woman's swim costume would have been complete without one.

The following are main points regarding swim cap rules gleaned from the two leading swim competition bodies that govern the sport of swimming in the US, which are USA Swimming, and FINA.

Some of the earliest evidence from Japan shows that open water swim competitions were held as far back as 2,000 years ago. Today, an ageless passion for water finds expression in the modern Olympic Games.

Take a dip into the colorful history of swim suits, and what you'll find is that swimsuits have a long and curiously spotted history. In the wake of struggling to strike a balance between functionality and modesty, the world of recreational and competition swim suits' only task now is to stay in keeping with the ever-evolving fashion trends.

As with all competitive sports, team swimming in the US and internationally is governed by an extensive set of swim rules and regulations. What follows is a look at basic team swim rules set by the governing body for international swim competitions, or *FINA, which serve as a guide for national and local swim clubs. The national governing body for the US, USA Swimming, provides its own official publication of a similar but modified set of rules.