AFFILIATION AND ELIGIBILITY

As per Article I.3.1.1 of the Competition Regulations, an Athlete shall be eligible to compete at an International Competition representing a World Aquatics Member if he/she is affiliated to a sole World Aquatics Member and is a citizen of the Country that the Athlete represents by virtue of:

  • Being a citizen of the Country by birth; or
  • Being a citizen of the Country through naturalization and having uninterrupted residence in the Country for at least three years prior to his/her first International Competition;

If the requisites mentioned above are not met, please refer to the Competition Regulations. 

DECLARATION FORM

Active Aquatics Athletes, as well as Member Stakeholders, furthermore understand and agree that their participation in competitions and related activities organized by World Aquatics is subject to their agreement and acceptance of the conditions and terms stated in the Declaration Form under: 

Declaration Form Declaration Form Process

CHANGE OF SPORT NATIONALITY

In order to start a procedure on change of Sport Nationality of an Athlete or competition official, World Aquatics needs to receive the following documents:

Before you submit your request for changing the Sport Nationality, please make sure that you fulfil all conditions as per World Aquatics Competition Regulations Section I.3, entitled “Sport Nationality”.

Please note that:

  • All documents must be in English or French (or translated)
  • All documents shall be marked with the appropriate document number as per the list below;
  • All confirmations, letters and statements shall be in a letterhead with the name of the organisation, body or entity and signed by an authorized representative;
  • Please note that a request shall be provided to World Aquatics taking into consideration the deadlines and upcoming competitions. World Aquatics does not guarantee that a request can be processed on an emergency basis, especially if it is submitted only a few weeks before a major Aquatics competition.

Official request of the new National Federation

Doc. 1 Official request of the new “New World Aquatics Member”: an official request from the New World Aquatics Member for changing the Sport Nationality of the Athlete undersigned by the respective Athlete as per the attached Official request template.

Download Official request - Template

Citizenship

Doc. 2 Citizenship: Citizenship: a copy of the Athlete’s passport of the country of the New World Aquatics Member .

Residency

Doc. 3 Proof of residence documents: school registration confirmation and/or results, confirmation of the school, employment contract, confirmation of the employer, driver license, bank statements, utility bills, declaration under oath from the landlord of the Athlete or competition official, rent cheques, affidavit of residency, tax decision, etc. which establish that the Athlete resides in the country of the New World Aquatics Member during the last thirty-six (36) months of residence.

Download Affidavit of Residence

Jurisdiction

Doc. 4 New World Aquatics Member’s confirmation: a confirmation from the New World Aquatics Member which states the date (day/month/year) since when the Athlete is a member.

Doc. 5 Confirmation by the former World Aquatics Member of the last representation with the former World Aquatics Member: a confirmation from the former World Aquatics Member with the date (day/month/year) of the last representation with the former World Aquatics Member.

Download Confirmation letter template

Doc. 6 Non-representation with New World Aquatics Member: a statement from the New World Aquatics Member that the Athlete has never represented the New World Aquatics Member in International Competition in the last thirty-six (36) months. Please note that the waiting period is reduced to one year as per Article I.3.3.2 of the World Aquatics Competition Regulations if the Athlete has previously represented another Member at age categories only (i.e. U16, U18, U20, Youth or Junior).

Doc. 7 Official club results list: official result lists from national, regional or international club competitions in which the Athlete has participated for his “new” club for the last thirty-six (36) months. In the case of Water Polo, it would be the game protocols from national, regional or international club competitions, and as many as possible in order to cover the thirty-six (36) months period.

->Please highlight the Athlete’s name, club’s name and date of the competition in the official club results list.

Any application for change of Sport Nationality must be approved by World Aquatics.

If you fulfil the requirements as per the World Aquatics Competition Regulations Section I.3 “Sport Nationality” below, and you desire to apply for a Sport Nationality change, please send your request for changing Sport Nationality and all required documentation to: legal@worldaquatics.com

All confirmations, letters and statements shall be considered as true and correct and any false statement could result in denial of the submitted request, and disciplinary proceedings as per World Aquatics Rules. The signatory person, the Athlete and the potential New World Aquatics Member understand that all information on the documents are subject to investigation and authorize World Aquatics to make any inquiry of any person, firm or agency relevant to the documents, and further authorize any person, firm or agency to provide information as may be requested by World Aquatics. The signatory person, the Athlete and the potential New World Aquatics Member hereby authorize to release information to World Aquatics concerning the change of Sport Nationality. The signatory person, the Athlete and the potential New World Aquatics Member certify that they have completed and read the documents and know and understand the contents of it and confirm that the information contained in it is true and complete.

SPORT NATIONALITY – CHOICE UNDER CONSIDERATION STATUS

As per Rule. I.3.2.2 of the Competition Regulations, an Athlete aged of less than sixteen years-old, who has not established his/her Sport Nationality yet and who is eligible to compete at International Competitions for more than one World Aquatics Member, has the possibility to declare to World Aquatics that his/her choice of sport nationality is under consideration. If he/she participates to an International Competition after having made his/her declaration to World Aquatics, his/her sport nationality will not be established by such participation.

Please also note that, in derogation of Rule I.3.2.2) above, a representation at the World Aquatics Championships or Olympic Games determines in all cases a Sport Nationality, no matter the age of the Athlete (Rule I.3.2.3 of the Competition Regulations).

As from the age of 16, the Athlete Sport Nationality will be established at the occasion of his/her first competition at an International Competition, representing a World Aquatics Member.

If you fulfil the requirements as per the World Aquatics Competition Regulations, and you desire that your Sport Nationality be under consideration status, please send a formal declaration to World Aquatics to: legal@worldaquatics.com

The template under will provide you an appropriate example of the content of such declaration. The declaration shall be signed by the Athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian. 

Declaration Sport Nationality under consideration status

Please also note that World Aquatics will inform the concerned World Aquatics Members about your declaration.