A swimmer's final placement in a race is primarily determined by their finishing time, measured from the start to the touch at the wall. Races usually involve multiple swimmers competing in designated lanes, and their placement is based on who touches the wall first. Timing systems capture results with high precision, often down to milliseconds. Swim meets typically utilize electronic timing to ensure accuracy, with official results provided shortly after races conclude. Factors like stroke efficiency, turns, and starts also contribute significantly to a swimmer's overall performance and ultimate placement.