What is the term for the platforms from which swimmers dive in competitive swimming?

The platforms from which swimmers dive in competitive swimming are called starting blocks.

A starting block is a raised platform fixed at the end of a racing pool. Swimmers use it to adopt a crouched starting position and launch themselves into the water with more force than they could generate from the pool deck. The resulting dive is an important part of a race, particularly in freestyle, breaststroke and butterfly events.

Modern swimming blocks are wider and more angled than older designs. Many include a rear wedge that lets a swimmer place the back foot higher and push off more explosively. The block surface is textured to reduce slipping, and competitive facilities position blocks consistently across the lanes.

Backstroke is the main exception to the usual dive: backstroke swimmers begin in the water while holding handles or the front of the starting block. Starting blocks are also different from track-and-field starting blocks, which brace a sprinter’s feet against the ground. In swimming, the term specifically describes the elevated platforms at the pool’s edge.