The Swallow was a sailing event on the Sailing at the 1948 Summer Olympics program in Torbay. Seven races were scheduled. 38 sailors, on 14 boats, from 14 nations competed.

Great Britain, represented by the British Olympic Association (BOA), competed as the host nation for the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. It was the second time that the United Kingdom had hosted the Summer Olympic Games, equalling the record of France and the United States to that point. British athletes have competed in every Summer Olympic Games. 404 competitors, 335 men and 68 women, took part in 139 events in 21 sports.