swimming at the 1980 Summer Olympics

Swimming as usual was one of the three aquatics disciplines at the 1980 Summer Olympics—the other two being Water Polo and Diving. It was held in the Swimming Pool of the Olimpiysky Sports Complex between July 20 and July 27. There was a total of 333 participants from 41 countries competing.

Because the number of participants was reduced by the boycott, FINA broke format by doing away with the semifinals. Instead, the top 8 finishers from the heats qualified directly for the final, or final A as it was called. In events up to 400 m, those that finished 9th to 16th in the heats would swim in Final B for the 9th place after the swimmers from Final A swam. This would continue as the Olympic format up to the 1996 Olympic Games.