Following a comprehensive review by World Aquatics’ six technical sport committees, the World Aquatics Bureau approved new Competition Regulations this month for swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving.
The Competition Regulations now replace the old regulations of all of our aquatic disciplines, as well as the following former rules and policies:
- General Rules
- By-Laws
- Facilities Rules
- Medical Rules
- Swimwear and Equipment Rules
- Advertising and Signage
World Aquatics took this step to deliver greater clarity and provide a more comprehensive rulebook across all our aquatic sports. To aid in this, the Competition Regulations text is searchable and hyperlinked throughout.
Highlighted Changes in the Competition Regulations
Some of the substantive changes to our sports include:
Sports Nationality
- Minimum 3 years of residence
- Transitory provision for those in the process of changing sport nationality
Water Polo
- All Rules and Annexes in the Competition Regulations are the result of a restructuring of the former Water Polo Rules
- All matches shall end with a winner (ties to be broken by penalty shootout)
- Updated Beach Water Polo Rules
- Updated competition format and seatings for age group competitions (U20 and U18)
- Updated VAR protocol
Swimming
- The age range for Men and Women competitors has been aligned (14-18)
- Backstroke finish submersion
Artistic Swimming
- Male/Female has been changed to Men/Women for consistency with the other sports
- The Open category for Team events has been added
- World Rankings are on hold and removed from the current document
Open Water Swimming
- Wetsuit use is mandatory as of 18° Celsius (not optional in between 18° and 20°)
- 25km has been removed from the World Aquatics Championships Programme
Diving
- Team Event: up to 4 Divers (instead of 2)