Swimming Championship Regulations and Procedures

Swimming Championship Entry Details

  • Entry times can be achieved in both 25m and 50m pools.
  • Heats and semi-finals:
    • May utilize 10 lanes.
  • Finals:
    • Should utilize 8 lanes.

Event Programs

World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships
Men & Women: Freestyle Events
  • 50m, 100m, 200m
  • 400m, 800m, 1500m
Backstroke Events
  • 50m, 100m, 200m
Breaststroke Events
  • 50m, 100m, 200m
Butterfly Events
  • 50m, 100m, 200m
Individual Medley Events
  • 200m, 400m
Relay Events
  • Freestyle: 4x100m & 4x200m
  • Medley: 4x100m
  • Mixed Relays: 4x100m Freestyle and 4x100m Medley
  • Only entry times in 50m pools will be accepted.
World Aquatics Swimming World Cup
  • The program is determined annually by World Aquatics.

Officials Structure

Referee Responsibilities
  • Full control & authority over all officials.
  • Approve assignments & instruct according to competition regulations.
  • Enforce all World Aquatics rules.
  • Can disqualify swimmers for any violations observed.
  • Signal the start of events and ensure proper conduct before the competition.
  • Use and review automatic officiating equipment.
Other Key Officials
  • Control Room Supervisor: Manages Automatic Officiating Equipment and checks results.
  • Starter: Controls swimmers from the time they are turned over by the Referee until the race starts.
  • Call Room Supervisor: Assembles swimmers prior to events.
  • Chief Inspector of Turns: Ensures duties of Inspectors of Turns are fulfilled.
  • Timekeepers: Record times for each swimmer using manual methods if Automatic Equipment fails.

Competition Conduct

Start of Events
  • Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Individual Medley: Starts with a dive.
  • Backstroke & Medley Relays: Swimmers enter water before the start signal.
  • A swimmer initiating a start before the signal may be disqualified.
Freestyle Event Rules
  • Swimmers may choose any style; must break surface of water throughout except during certain transitions.
Backstroke Event Rules
  • Swimmers start facing the pool wall, must push off on back throughout the race.
  • Must touch the wall at turns while on back.
Disqualification Criteria
  • Swimwear violations, deliberate misconduct, or any other infractions observed by officials can disqualify a swimmer.

Seeding Protocols for Races

Heat Assignments
  • Based on best competitive times submitted by swimmers.
  • Seeding depends on number of heats: the fastest swimmers are positioned in wider lanes.
  • Delays or scratches leading to adjustments or swim-offs may occur.
Finals and Semi-Finals
  • Lanes assigned based on performance in heats.
  • If times are tied for positions, potentially leading to swim-offs for qualifying placements.