There were 55 competitors from 39 nations, with each nation having up to two swimmers (a limit in place since 1984).
ðɛɹwˌɜː fˈɪfti fˈaɪv kəmpˈɛɾɪɾɚz fɹʌm θˈɜːɾi nˈaɪn nˈeɪʃənz, wɪð ˈiːtʃ nˈeɪʃən hˌævɪŋ ˌʌp tə tˈuː swˈɪmɚz ɐ lˈɪmɪt ɪn plˈeɪs sˈɪns nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi fˈoːɹ.