Swimming

4.1 General Rules p. 40

• a.) Athletes may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water. They may also tread water or float. Athletes are allowed to push off the ground at the beginning and the end of every swim lap. Technical Delegate may authorize to push off the ground in other sections of the swim course;
• b.) Athletes must follow the prescribed swim course as outlined in 2.1 a) (xiii);
• c.) Athletes may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object, such as a buoy or stationary boat. It is forbidden to pull, push or use any inanimate object in a way which help the athlete progress;
• d.) In an emergency, an athlete should raise an arm overhead and call for assistance. Once official assistance is rendered, the athlete must retire from the competition;
• e.) Athletes may sportingly maintain their own space in the water:
• (i) Where athletes make accidental contact in the swim and then immediately afterwards move apart no penalty will be incurred;
• (ii) Where athletes make contact in the swim, and an athlete continues to impede the progress of the other athlete without moving apart, this action will result in a time penalty;
• (iii) The deliberate targeting of another athlete to impede their progress, gain unfair advantage and potentially cause harm will result in disqualification and may be reported to the World Triathlon Tribunal for potential suspension or expulsion;
• (iv) Where athletes dunk, punch, scratch, or kick another athlete will result in disqualification and may be reported to the World Triathlon Tribunal for potential suspension or expulsion;
• (v) Additionally, for the World Triathlon Championship Series, World Triathlon Cups, World Triathlon Para Series or World Triathlon Para Cups, if an athlete is penalised for infringing this rule twice in a calendar year, he or she will not be admitted in the next event from those mentioned above. This sanction is also applicable to the third, fourth or following infringement.
• f.) Rules about water quality are outlined in section 10;
• g.) This paragraph applies to Elite, U23 and Junior races in standard and shorter distances. Fingernails must be trimmed short and should not be sharp. Nails that could potentially cause harm to other athletes are not permitted. The nail should not extend past the tip of the finger. Ideally, the edge of the nail should align with or slightly below the fingertip. The nails should be rounded or slightly squared to follow the natural curve of the fingertip. No sharp corners or edges should remain after trimming. The trimmed edges should be filed to remove rough or jagged edges.

4.2 Wetsuit Use p. 41

• a.) Wetsuit use is governed by the following tables:

Elite, U23, Junior and Youth athletes:

Age-Group from the youngest to 55-59 category:

Age-Group from 60-64 category to the oldest:

4.3 Maximum stay in water p. 41

4.4 Modifications p. 41

• a.) In case of high or low temperatures the swim distance can be shortened or even cancelled according to this table:

• b.) The temperatures in section 4.2 are not always the water temperature used in the final decision. When the water temperature is above 22°C, the temperatures in the table are to be applied as they are. When the water temperature is at or below 22°C and the air temperature is at or below 15°C, then the value of the water temperature will be adjusted according to the following table:

• c.) If other weather conditions dictate, i.e., high winds, heavy rain, changing temperature, current, etc. the Technical Delegate in consultation with the Medical Delegate (if applicable) may adapt limits of the swim length or adopt provisions about the use of wetsuits. The final decision will be made one hour before the start and will be clearly communicated to the athletes by the Technical Delegate;
• d.) For aquathlon events (normally run-swim-run), the LOC should plan for a swim-run where the water temperature is expected to be below 22 °C. Where a run-swim-run aquathlon has been planned, but on competition day the water temperature is below 22 °C, the format will change to swim-run;
• e.) Water temperature must be taken one hour prior to the start of the event on competition day. It must be taken at the middle of the course and in two other areas on the swim course, at a depth of 60 cm. Where the average measured figure is 27 °C or below, the lowest measured temperature will be considered as the official water temperature. Where the average measured figure is above 27 °C, the highest measured temperature will be considered as the official water temperature.

4.5 Starting Position Selection: (Elite/U23/Junior/Youth athletes) p. 43

• a.) Prior to the start of competition, athletes are lined up in a designated area in the order of their start numbers. A Technical official will order each athlete to move to the start one by one;
• b.) Upon entering the start area, each athlete will go directly to their selected numbered position of their choosing and stay in that position until the start is given. A selected position cannot be changed by any athlete once it is chosen. An athlete cannot occupy more than one start position:
• (i) The Technical Delegate may decide to cancel this process and assign the start positions according to race numbers, in cases where no ranking exists or due to other extraordinary circumstances.
• c.) Start Line Technical Officials note each athlete's race number and the starting position selected. Once the section assigned to a Start Line Technical Official has been filled, they will raise a flag;
• d.) Starting Position Selection ends when every athlete is in a starting position and every Start Line Technical Official has confirmed readiness for the start by raising their flag.

4.6 Starting Position Selection: (Age-Group) p. 43

• a.) Athletes from the same wave will be together as a group in the pre start area;
• b.) A Technical Official will allow the athletes to move to the start area and will control the flow to keep this process safe;
• c.) Athletes will select any position which is not used. Technical Officials may ask the athletes to move from crowded to empty areas of the start line;

4.7 Start Procedure (Mass start) p. 44

• a.) A start is a mass start when a large group of athletes are starting together. It may be used in any competition and category;
• b.) After all athletes are in position (confirmed and noted by the Start Line Technical Officials) and the whole Field of Play is confirmed ready for the start, "Athletes, you are now in the hands of the starter" is announced and Start Line Technical Officials lower their flags. This announcement will be given not later than 20 seconds before the start and the athletes must stay within their starting position after hearing it;
• c.) Following the announcement of "Athletes, you are now in the hands of the starter", a heartbeat soundtrack may be played for maximum of 15 seconds and will then fade out;
• d.) Between 3-5 seconds after the heartbeat is faded out, the start signal will be given by a Technical Official or other assigned person by blasting a horn. Athletes will move directly forward towards the first buoy until they reach the water. No movement to a different start position is permitted;
• e.) False start: In case of a false start, where several athletes move forward before the start horn, the Head Referee or designated Official will sound the start horn many times declaring the start is not valid. This declaration may be done following the signal of False Start Officials who signal the Head Referee with a flag to indicate a false start, following the indication of any of the Start Line Technical Officials by raising their flag, or by the Head Referee's own decision. Athletes will be required to return to their previously selected positions. This will be controlled by the Start Line Technical Officials and the start procedure will start again. A false start may be declared also when not all the athletes have the opportunity to start the race immediately after start horn;
• f.) Valid start with early starters: In the case of an early start of a few athletes, the competition can continue, the Head Referee can decide that the start is valid and the competition can continue with penalties given to the early starters. A photo/video camera and/or the declaration of the Start Line Technical Officials may be used to identify early starters. The early starters will receive a time penalty in Transition 1. In case of mixed relay events, the time penalty has to be served by the first athlete of the team;
• g.) For Age-Group events mass start may be organised in different waves. Different AgeGroup categories may be grouped in the same wave. Age-Group categories with a large number of athletes may be split, in this case only athletes from the same Age-Group category will be in the same wave;
• h.) Athletes starting in any wave before the one that the athlete is assigned to, will be disqualified;
• i.) Athletes who are late to the assigned wave will need the approval of the Start Technical Official to start in a later wave. The athlete start time will be the start time of the assigned wave.

4.8 Start procedure (Interval Start System) p. 45

• a.) An interval start is defined when the start is given at different times to different groups of athletes who are competing together. Typically, it is used in PTWC and PTVI events;
• b.) Athletes are responsible for being at the start line on time;
• c.) A video camera shall be used to record the entire start;
• d.) The Start Technical Officials are responsible for synchronising their own and the Timekeepers' watches;
• e.) Start Technical Officials must provide all athletes with the opportunity to start at their correct times. An assistant responsible for recording the details for any violations at the start must be placed near the starter. The athletes' actual start time must be noted with both electric and hand timing, in case the Competition Jury decides his/her late start was due to force majeure;
• f.) Athletes will be called to the start area and will occupy the start positions according to the Technical Officials' instructions;
• g.) Ten minutes before their start time, all the athletes should be ready at the start area;
• h.) Five minutes before their start time, athletes will be asked to take their position at the start area,
• i.) One minute before their start time, athletes will be asked to enter the water, or approach the start line;
• j.) When all athletes are in position, the 'start procedure' will be initiated as defined in 4.7 b.) to 4.7 f);
• k.) The start signal (horn blast) will be sounded at the exact start time of the wave;
• l.) An athlete who is an "early starter" in a "valid start" will not be recalled to the start line;
• m.) The early starters will receive a time penalty in Transition 1;
• n.) An athlete who starts any time before the beginning of the "start procedure" or who starts in a wave they are not assigned to, will be disqualified;
• o.) Athletes who are late to their assigned wave must get approval of the Start Technical Official to start, and the start time will be the start time of the assigned wave, and no adjustment to his/her start time can be made.

4.9 Start procedure (Time Trial Start System) p. 45

• a.) Time trial start system is defined when the athletes competing in the same event will start the race at specified start times. Typically, is to be used in events with time trial qualifier stages,

• b.) Athletes are responsible for being at the start line on time;

• c.) A video camera shall be used to record the entire start;

• d.) The Start Technical Officials are responsible for synchronising their own and the Timekeepers' watches;

• e.) Start Technical Officials must provide all athletes with the opportunity to start at their correct times. An assistant responsible for recording the details for any violations at the start must be placed near the starter. The athletes' actual start time must be noted with both electric and hand timing; in case the Competition Jury decides his/her late start was due to force majeure;

• f.) Athletes will line up according to the start order. Athletes will need to report at the pre-start area at least 2 minutes before their start time;

• g.) Athletes will be informed by the starter about the remaining time to the start, 15 and 5 seconds before the start time;

• h.) The Start Technical Official will announce the start time by using an electronic/manual horn;

• i.) Athletes starting the competition before the start time will be recalled to the start line. Any athlete failing to do this will be disqualified. Athletes starting after their start time, must get the approval of the Start Technical Official to proceed. The start time of those athletes will be the start time originally assigned.

4.10 Start Procedure (Rolling Start System) p. 46

• a.) Rolling start is defined when athletes can cross the start line at any moment during a defined range of time. The athlete's time will start when the athlete crosses the start line. This start system is appropriate for long distance events with mass participation. It may be used in draft-illegal events, even if they are not long distance, or where the start conditions do not permit a wide space offering the athletes a safe start to the swim. There are two variations:
• (i) Rolling start with determined start times: Athletes will start with no order in predetermined time slots, individually or in groups up to five athletes;
• (i) Continuous rolling start: athletes will start the race in a continuous flow.
• b.) This system is only applicable to Age-Group competitions;
• c.) There will not be a mass start;
• d.) The Start Technical Official can interrupt the start procedure at any time;
• e.) The Start Technical Official will determine the start time of any athlete in case of incidents at the start;
• f.) If one athlete has two or more start times recorded, the first one will be the valid start time
• g.) Athletes starting in any wave before the defined range of time for him/her, will be disqualified;
• h.) Athletes who are late to the defined range of time will need the approval of the Start Technical Official, and the start time will be the real start time of the athlete.

4.11 Equipment p. 47

a) Swim cap

• (i) All athletes must wear the official event numbered swim cap during the swim segment;
• (ii) In an Aquathlon event athletes may carry the official event swim cap and goggles during the first run segment and may wear them in the Transition Area;
• (iii) Numbered swim caps are provided by World Triathlon or the Local Organising Committee;
• (iv) If an athlete chooses to wear two caps, the second swim cap must be unbranded and the official swim cap must be on the outside from the moment of the athletes' line-up procedure starts;
• (v) No sponsor logos are allowed on the official swim cap other than prescribed by World Triathlon/ Local Organising Committee;
• (vi) Athletes may not alter the swim caps in any manner;
• (vii) Failure to wear the official swim cap, or altering the official swim cap, may result in a penalty up to and including disqualification;
• (vili) Neoprene swim caps are allowed if wetsuits are allowed.

b. Trisuits:

• (i) Athletes must wear the approved trisuit for the non-wetsuit swims. If athletes choose to wear more than one trisuit, both have to comply with the specifications;
• (ii) Trisuits must be 100% textile material, which is defined as materials consisting of natural and/or synthetic, individual and non-consolidated yarns used to constitute a fabric by weaving, knitting and/or braiding (this generally refers to suits made only from nylon or lycra that do not have any rubberized material such as polyurethane or neoprene);
• (iii) When the use of wetsuits is forbidden, clothing covering any part of the arms below the elbows and clothing covering any part of the legs below the knees is also forbidden with the exceptions outlined at 2.8.c.) (iii) to 2.8 c.) (vi)
• (iv) Trisuits must comply with the applicable Guidelines Regarding Authorised Identifications.

c) Swimskins

• (i) Swimskins must be 100% textile material, which is defined as materials consisting of natural and/or synthetic, individual and non-consolidated yarns used to constitute a fabric by weaving, knitting and/or braiding (this generally refers to suits made only from nylon or lycra that do not have any rubberized material such as polyurethane or neoprene);

• (i) For Elite, U23, Junior, Youth and Para triathlon standard and shorter distance events, swimskins are not allowed;

• (iii) For Age-Group athletes in all events and distances swimskins are allowed;

• (iv) Swimskins must be removed after the swim segment;

• (v) Swimskins must comply with the wetsuit section of the applicable Guidelines Regarding Authorised Identifications;

• (vi) Swimskins can be used in all water temperatures.

d) Wetsuits

• (1) Wetsuits cannot exceed 5mm thickness anywhere. If the wetsuit is made in two pieces, the combined thickness in the overlapping areas may not exceed the 5 mm thickness limit, +/- 0.3 mm tolerance is admissible;
• (ii) Propulsion devices that create an advantage for the athlete, or a risk to others, are forbidden;
• (iii) The most external part of the wetsuits will fit to the athletes' body tightly while they are swimming;
• (iv) A wetsuit may cover any part of the body except the face, hands and feet. When mandatory, the wetsuit must cover at least the torso;
• (v) There is no limitation regarding the length of the zipper;
• (vi) Wetsuits must comply with the applicable Guidelines Regarding Authorised Identifications.
• e.) Electronic devices may be used in the competition unless they are distracting the athlete from paying full attention to their surroundings;

f) Illegal Equipment

• (i) Athletes must not use or wear:

• Artificial propulsion devices;

• Flotation devices;

• Gloves;

• Socks, except when use of wetsuits are mandatory;

• Wetsuits (including neoprene caps) or any part of the wetsuits when they are forbidden;

• Non-certified swimsuits;

• Snorkels;

• Bib numbers (in non-wetsuit swim only);

• Headphone(s), headsets) or technical earplug(s), which are inserted or covering the ears, except ear protection plugs;

• Safety inflatable device (tube) which has been deployed. If deployed the athlete must retire from the race;

• Suits, vests, or any clothing having any part made of rubberized material such as polyurethane or neoprene;

• Buoyancy shorts;

• Any jewellery;

• Watches. This non allowance applies to Elite, U23 and Junior races in Standard and shorter distances. Exceptionally the Head Referee may allow the use of watches.