How fast do normal swimmers swim?

How fast a swimmer swims depends on ability, stroke and distance. In the 2012 Olympics, Nathan Adrian swam the 100 meter freestyle in 47:52 which comes out to an average speed of 4.7 miles per hour. 'Normal' competitive swimmers will race that distance anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds slower, and may have a pace double that if swimming longer distances. At double that time, the speed averages 2.35 miles per hour. Even that pace will be quite fast for the uninitiated, who likely swim even slower.