I love swimming. I enjoy it for recreation, and it's one of my favorite sports to watch, especially in the Olympics.
I don't necessarily like watching it but love swimming myself 
Olympic-sized pools, while the standardized size, are huge compared to the backyard ones I'm familiar with.
I have been swimming in a couple Olympic sized pools. They are massive and seem even bigger when you're in them. 
It's interesting how historically relevant swimming pool-type facilities are. Mostly talking about the wading pools/public baths of ancient times.
I find them confusing. I suppose they were set up like that because a lack of indoor water for houses then right?
I think so. With limited infrastructure, public baths allowed for community-wide access which helped with hygiene and whatnot.
The way they are portrayed is like they were somewhat of a social gathering at times too
does not refer only to bathing. In ancient times public bathing included saunas, massages and relaxation therapies, comparable to today's spas.
History.
History Ancient Greece.
In "The Book of the Bath", Françoise de Bonneville wrote, "The history of public baths begins in Greece in the sixth century B.C.," where men and women washed in basins near places of exercise, physical and intellectual. Later gymnasia had indoor basins set overhead, the open maws of marble lions offering showers, and circular pools
so fantastic. I've just slid in like I've been there all my life. It's been fantastic fun. And it's a character who you can do anything you want with - I love those! It's very easy work." Asked whether if he will watch his first, he replied: "They've got me in the last scene of the day at work today, so I don't know if I'm going to get home in time for it! But all the family are there watching