50 Fly - LC

Scenario

At the finish of a butterfly race, the IT observed that at the last stroke into the wall, the swimmer had started an arm pull backwards. The swimmer was close to the wall and their head made a contact with the touchpad stopping the clock. The swimmer's arms then recovered underwater and the swimmer touched the wall with a two-hand touch.

Question

Should this swimmer be disqualified? What is the infraction?

Solution/recommendation

From the Rulebook – Rule 8 Butterfly,

• Rule II.8.2 Both arms must be brought forward simultaneously over the water and brought backward simultaneously under the water throughout the race, subject to II.8.5.
• Rule II.8.4 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated** and simultaneously, at, above or below the water surface. **” Separated” means that the hands cannot be stacked one on top of the other. It is not necessary to see space between the hands. Incidental contact at the fingers is not a concern.

Based on these rules and the scenario as it was shared, the infraction and wording on the DQ

form shall be, “Swimmer did not finish the race with both hands separated and simultaneously, at, above or below the water surface”. The touch occurred prior to the infraction of an underwater recovery.

Please note that the swimmer should also be sent for an assessment as per the concussion protocol.