Application of Rule C2.3.2.1 in Ontario

Swimming Canada has introduced a new competition rule (C.2.3.2.1) that will come into effect following an education and transition period. This approach ensures that athletes, coaches, and officials have time to understand the purpose of the rule and adjust their practices before full enforcement begins. The rule is designed to enhance safety, protect facilities, and support a respectful and professional competition environment.

Below, you will find resources, a guidance document, and details on how the rule will be applied in Ontario.

The Rule

From the Swimming Canada (and World Aquatics) rule book

Section II 2.3.2

The Starter shall report a swimmer to the Referee for delaying the start, for wilfully disobeying an order or for any other misconduct taking place at the start, but only the Referee may disqualify a swimmer for such delay, wilful disobedience or misconduct.

C.2.3.2.1 For the purposes of Rule II.2.3.2, “misconduct” shall include, but is not limited to:

• Deliberate or negligent acts such as spitting, spouting of water, or blowing the nose in the pool or on the pool deck immediately prior to the start may be considered misconduct.
• Deliberate kicking or striking of the starting platform, including the back plate prior to the start.
• Unsafe or uncontrolled entry into the pool immediately prior to the start of a race. All swimmers must enter the pool with a controlled, feet-first entry.

Swimming Canada Guidance Document

A guidance document has been created for officials to support consistent application of the rule and a rolling out period to support swimmers' education of the new rule through December 31, 2025. During the rollout period, officials will emphasize education and warnings before escalating to formal sanctions (i.e DQ).

• A parallel plan is in place to update and educate coaches, ensuring athletes understand the expectations and the reasons behind the change.

Application in Ontario

Education period in place until the new year, however, repeated offenders, with warnings given at a competition, may be disqualified

• An education period will remain in effect until the end of the year. During this time, the focus is on awareness and correction rather than penalties.
• Repeated offences: If a swimmer continues to disregard the rule after receiving warnings at a competition, a disqualification may be applied.
• The Meet Manager (MM) and Competition Coordinator (CC) are responsible for tracking warnings to identify repeat offenders.
  • All warnings must be delivered in person to coaches, not directly to swimmers.
  • The CC (or designate) will issue these warnings face-to-face with the coach.
• The disqualifcation occurs after the race. If a disqualification is applied, it may be announced once the swimmer has completed their race.
• Warnings and disqualifications should be communicated within 15 minutes, allowing coaches the opportunity to correct behaviour before the swimmer’s next event.
  • All recorded warnings must include the time the coach was informed of the decision.

Application of Rule

Education Period (Until December 31, 2025)
During the education period, the rule will focus on awareness and correction:

• The Starter reports any observed misconduct to the Referee.
• The Referee may:
  • Issue and record a warning if they also observed the misconduct and agree with the Starter’s report.
  • Issue and record a warning based on the Starter’s report even if the Referee did not personally observe the misconduct.
  • Independently issue and record a warning if the Referee observes misconduct that the Starter did not report.

Full Enforcement (From January 1, 2026)
After the education period ends, the rule will be fully enforced:

• The Starter reports any observed misconduct to the Referee.
• The Referee may:
  • Disqualify the swimmer if they also observed the misconduct and agree with the Starter’s report.
    • A disqualification may only occur if both the Starter and Referee observed the misconduct.
  • Issue a warning to the swimmer via their coach based on the Starter’s report if the misconduct was not personally observed.
  • Independently issue a warning to the swimmer via their coach if the Referee observes misconduct that the Starter did not report.