Photography & Videography Procedure at Swim Ontario Competitions

Latest Updates - February 2026

February 2026 updates

Swim Ontario has updated its Photography, Videography, and Cellphone Procedure.

More definitions provided
Schedule A Handout/Poster updated
Link for procedure updated in this bulletin

May 2025 updates

Key changes include:

A designated Official Photographer/Videographer may now be permitted on deck, but must be pre-approved by Swim Ontario through the sanctioning process and authorized by Meet Management.
- The prospective Official Photographer/Videographer must follow the Swim Ontario Photography, Videography, and Cellphone Procedure, including the Screening Requirements Procedure.
- Contact Nicole (nicole@swimontario.com) for approval no later than the Entry Deadline for the competition. Any requests after the entry deadline will be denied.
The Official Photographer is allowed to capture images from behind the starting blocks only after the start of a race, specifically for turns, finishes, and celebrations.
The Official Photographer must be clearly identified with an armband or high-visibility vest.
All photography and videography must continue to follow standards of decency, and coaching-related recording from behind the blocks remains prohibited.
Host clubs must ensure participants and spectators are informed of these standards via:
- Designation of Official Photographer/Videographer in the Meet Package in the Additional Information section for the 2024-2025 season.
- Posted signage at the venue such as Schedule A template Handout.

Please ensure these updates are reviewed and implemented at all Swim Ontario sanctioned or approved events. Both the MM and CC responsibilities with respect to this procedure have been updated.

Meet package templates are not affected as long as the link to the Swim Ontario Photography, Videography, and Cellphone Procedure is in the meet package.The Safety at Competition document is updated with the latest information.