Swimming Rules & Regulations

General Rules

• Staying in Lane: Swimmers must remain and finish the race in the same lane they started in.
Pulling on the lane rope is not allowed.
• Turns and Finishes: Swimmers must make physical contact with the end wall during turns and at
the finish of the race. The type of touch (one or two hands, on the back, etc.) depends on the stroke.
• Starts: All swimmers must start at the starting end of the pool upon the starting signal.
False starts can lead to disqualification.
• Stroke-Specific Rules: Strict rules govern each of the four strokes (freestyle, backstroke,
breaststroke, and butterfly) regarding body position, arm and leg movements, and submersion limits.
Any deviation can result in disqualification.
• Equipment: Swimmers must wear appropriate swimwear, and no equipment designed to
enhance speed or buoyancy is allowed.
• Timing: Automatic officiating equipment and touch panels are typically used to record
accurate finishing times. In cases of identical times for qualifying positions, swim-offs may be used
to determine who advances to the next round.
• Essentially, the use of 8 lanes allows for greater flexibility in scheduling heats and provides optimal
conditions for competitors by utilizing buffer lanes, but the rules governing the swimmers
themselves are standardized by World Aquatics.
• For each event to qualify , there needs be atleast 8 participants

•Wearing the official event jersey is mandatory for participation in all sports and activities. Participants without the official jersey will not be permitted to take part or qualify for any rankings or prizes.

Stroke-Specific Rules

• Freestyle: The swimmer can use any stroke, but must remain on their breast except when executing
a turn.
• Backstroke: Swimmers must remain on their back throughout the race, except during the turn process.
Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race.
• Breaststroke: This requires simultaneous and symmetrical movements of both arms and legs.
The head must break the surface of the water during each complete cycle.
Touches at the turns and the finish must be made with both hands simultaneously.
• Butterfly: This also requires simultaneous and symmetrical movements of both arms and legs (dolphin
kick). The head must break the surface during each stroke cycle. Touches at the turns and the
finish must be made with both hands simultaneously.

• Only individuals 18 years of age or older are allowed to participate in swimming/running events.