The distance of an Olympic swimming race in the freestyles category varies, with the most common distances being 50 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, and 1500 meters. The 50-meter race is the shortest and often the most intense, showcasing sprinters' speed and explosiveness, while the 1500-meter race tests endurance. These events are performed in a 50-meter pool, allowing swimmers to achieve maximum speed across varying race lengths.