Why are you replying to me as if you are arguing when it seems you are actually agreeing?
And to Mr. Obvious:
Yes, swimmers DO get the benefit of both.
There are so many events and they are all so similar in energy requirements and the physical skill that swimmers can easily switch events to contest less contested ones, and the lack of talent (participation) in swimming means that a good swimmer can also clean up across as many events as they can.
Perfect examples of the two statements I have made above are Adam Peaty only doing breaststroke, and Phelps cleaning up for fun, leaving the sport then coming back because everyone is still rubbish.
Bolt is possibly the most talented athlete in recent history, and it would be impossible for him to win across just 3 sprint events (100, 200, 400).
Farah is the best distance runner out there right now, and whilst competitive at the 1500 and half marathon he could NEVER win Olympic medals in the 1500, 5000, 10k at the same championships. And he has arguable one of the best ranges ever. Definitely top 3/4.
This is because talent pads out nearly all the events in Athletics, which is one of the most popular sports in the world.
There was a time when one man could be competitive for medals across a range of distance events, and that was the 1920s. That is where swimming is now, but worse.