Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 The Referee (SW Rule SW 3.1)
The Referee has full control and authority over all officials and enforces all rules and decisions made by World Aquatics. The Referee shall:
- Ensure all equipment meets World Aquatics specifications before competition begins
- Assign and instruct all officials
- Intervene in the competition at any stage to enforce the rules
- Disqualify any swimmer for any violation observed personally or reported by another authorised official
- Make the final decision in any dispute and may make exceptions in cases of manifest error
4.2 The Starter (SW Rule SW 3.2)
The Starter has full control of the swimmers from the time the Referee turns the swimmers over to the Starter (until the race commences). The Starter:
- Gives the starting commands and signal
- Reports any swimmer who is guilty of delaying the start, wilful misbehaviour, or committing a false start to the Referee
- May delay the start if a swimmer is not ready or if conditions are unsafe
4.3 Chief Timekeeper (SW Rule SW 3.3)
The Chief Timekeeper assigns lanes to all timekeepers, collects and checks their recorded times, and resolves discrepancies when AOE times are unavailable. At World Aquatics Championships, AOE times are official; manual times serve as backup.
4.4 Timekeepers (SW Rule SW 3.3)
Three timekeepers are assigned to each lane using calibrated stopwatches. When AOE is not available, the middle time of the three recorded times is the official time. If two times agree and one differs, the agreed time is official. If all three differ, the median time is used.
4.5 Chief Inspector of Turns (SW Rule SW 3.4)
The Chief Inspector of Turns is responsible for ensuring all Turn Inspectors are at their assigned positions and carry out their duties correctly. The Chief Inspector receives disqualification reports from Turn Inspectors and forwards them to the Referee.
4.6 Inspectors of Turns (SW Rule SW 3.4)
One Inspector of Turns is assigned to each lane at each end of the pool (two inspectors per lane for a 10-lane pool). Turn Inspectors observe compliance with all applicable stroke and turning rules. They signal the swimmer's acknowledgment of the touch and submit disqualification reports in writing to the Chief Inspector.
4.7 Chief Finish Judge and Finish Judges (SW Rule SW 3.5)
Finish Judges observe the order of finish when AOE is not functioning. Each lane has one Finish Judge stationed at the finish end at deck level. The Chief Finish Judge compiles the order of finish from individual judges' reports and submits the result to the Referee.
4.8 Stroke and Turn Judges (SW Rule SW 3.6)
Stroke and Turn Judges observe and enforce all stroke rules throughout the race, including:
- Correct arm and leg technique for the specific stroke being swum
- Legal touches on the walls at each turn and at the finish
- Compliance with underwater distance restrictions after starts and turns
- Legal relay exchanges
4.9 Competitor Eligibility
To compete in World Aquatics sanctioned events, athletes must be registered members of their national member federation. Age group competitions have defined age brackets. In relay events, all four members must be registered to the same national team or club. Mixed relays require two male and two female swimmers (order may vary).
4.10 Team Composition — Relays (SW Rules SW 10, SW 11)
Each relay team consists of exactly four swimmers. A swimmer who has competed in a preliminary relay may be replaced by a different swimmer in the final, provided a declaration of names and order of swimming is submitted before the event. A swimmer may only compete in one relay team per event.