World Aquatics

World Aquatics regulates swimwear through its Swimwear Approval Programme. All swimwear worn in World Aquatics-sanctioned competitions must appear on the World Aquatics Approved Swimwear List.

Male competitors may wear swimsuits covering the body from the top of the hips to the knee. The swimsuit may not extend above the navel nor below the knee.

Female competitors may wear one-piece or two-piece swimsuits. The suit must not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, or cover any part of the arms.

Starting blocks must be firmly fixed and shall not move during use. The top surface of the block shall be covered with a non-slip material.

Automatic Officiating Equipment (AOE) touchpads are required at World Aquatics sanctioned events. Touchpads must be positioned at both ends of each lane.

Lane lines shall be continuous from start end to finish end and shall be attached to anchors in the walls. Lane lines consist of individual buoys or floats assembled on a wire or rope.

A recall rope must be stretched across the course at a distance of 15 m (49.2 ft) from the starting end. The rope shall be at least 1.2 m (3.9 ft) above the water surface.

Goggles may be worn in competition. Swimmers may wear not more than two swimming caps simultaneously.

The long course pool shall measure 50 metres (164 ft 1 in) in length. The tolerance for pool length is 0 cm (no shortfall permitted); pools may not be shorter than 50 m at any point.

The short course pool shall measure 25 metres (82 ft) in length, measured under the same conditions as the long course pool.