LANE MARKERS
Lane markers should be in a dark color contrasting with the surface and placed at the center of each lane, flush with the pool bottom. Width: Minimum 0.2 meters, maximum 0.3 meters Length: For 50-meter pools, 46.0 meters; for 25-meter pools, 21.0 meters. Each lane line should end 2.0 meters after the finish wall and cut the lane line distinctly with a length of 1.0 meter and a width of 1.0 meter. Target lines should be located on the finish walls or touch panels, positioned at the center of each lane, and have the same width as the lane lines. These lengths can be exceeded without overflowing onto the pool surface. A 0.5-meter-long cross line should be positioned 0.3 meters below the water surface and measured towards the center of the cross line.
DIVIDERS
If dividers serve as finish walls, they should be solid and cover the entire width of the swimming direction. These should have a vertical and slippery surface, with touch pads placed no more than 0.8 meters below the water surface and at least 0.3 meters above it. Structures should be used above or below the waterline that do not pose a danger to events that may occur below or above the waterline and do not harm the swimmer’s hands, feet, or toes. Dividers should allow officials to move comfortably during the race without creating waves or water currents.
OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SWIMMING POOLS
Length: For automatic timing equipment, the length should be 50.0 meters except for the World Short Championships. The length from the automatic timing equipment on the starting side to the touch panels and from the touch panels on the turns should be 25.0 meters. FR 3.1 Dimensional tolerances as in FR 2.2.1 FR 3.2 Width: 25.0 meters for Olympics and World Championships FR 3.3 Depth: Minimum 2.0 meters FR 3.4 Walls: As in FR 2.4.1 FR 3.5 Channels: As in FR 2.4.3 FR 3.6 Lane numbers: 8 FR 3.7 Lanes should be 2.5 meters wide with two gaps of 2.5 meters between the first and eighth lanes. A rope should separate these gaps from the first and eighth lanes, respectively. (For Olympics and World Championships) FR 3.8 Lane ropes: As in FR 2.6 FR 3.9 Starting blocks: As in FR 2.7. False start control equipment must be present. FR 3.10 Numbering: As in FR 2.8 FR 3.11 Turn markers: As in FR 2.9 FR 3.12 False start rope: As in FR 2.10 FR 3.13 Water temperature: As in FR 2.11 FR 3.14 Lighting: The entire pool should have a light intensity of at least 1500 lux. FR 3.15 Lane markers: As in FR 2.13. The center point of each lane should be 2.5 meters apart. FR 3.16 If the swimming pool and the diving area are in the same zone, the distance separating both pools should be at least 5.0 meters.
AUTOMATIC TIMING EQUIPMENT
FR 4.1 Automatic and semi-automatic timing equipment helps determine a swimmer’s relative position in the race by measuring their speed. Speed calculations are in 1/100 seconds. This equipment should not affect the swimmer’s starting movements, turns, or the system. FR 4.2 Features required in the equipment: FR 4.2.1 Must be activated by the starting referee. FR 4.2.2 There should be no cables near the poolside if possible. FR 4.2.3 Should be capable of displaying information for each lane. FR 4.2.4 Must digitally display the swimmer’s speed.
Jump Pool and Olympic Pool Accessories
LENGTH FR 2.1.1 The length of the pool is 50 meters. If automatic timing equipment is used from the starting portion or additionally from the turn portion’s touch panels, the pool must be 50 meters long to provide the necessary distance between the two panels. FR 2.1.2 The width of the pool is 25 meters. If automatic timing equipment’s touch panels are used from the starting portion or additionally from the turn portion, the pool must be 25 meters wide to provide the necessary distance between the two panels.
DIMENSION TOLERANCES FR 2.2.1 For a length of 50 meters, dimensions are valid for each lane with a plus 0.03 meters and minus 0.0 meters on each side of the wall at each point from 0.3 meters below the water surface to 0.8 meters below. These dimensions must be approved by an observer or authorized personnel (appointed by the member of the country where the pool is located). When touch panels are installed, these tolerances cannot exceed the given figures. FR 2.2.2 For a width of 25 meters, dimensions are valid for each lane with a plus 0.03 meters and minus 0.0 meters on each side of the wall at each point from 0.3 meters below the water surface to 0.8 meters below. These dimensions must be approved by an observer or authorized personnel (appointed by the member of the country where the pool is located). When touch panels are installed, these tolerances cannot exceed the given figures.
DEPTH For pools with starting blocks, the required measurements are as follows: a depth of at least 1.35 meters extending from the finish wall to at least six meters from the start wall; for other pool types, a minimum depth of 1.0 meter is required.
WALLS FR 2.4.1 Finish walls should be parallel to each other and made of solid material to form right angles to the direction of swimming. Additionally, they should have surfaces that are not slippery and extend to a depth of 0.8 meters below the water surface, allowing athletes to touch and return without endangering themselves.
FR 2.4.2 Rest areas are allowed along the pool; these areas cannot go more than 1.2 meters below the water surface and can be between 0.1 to 0.15 meters wide. FR 2.4.3 Channels can be present on all four walls of the pool. If finish wall channels exist, they should be positioned 0.3 meters above the water surface to allow for additional touch panels. These channels should be properly covered with a cage or grille. FR 2.5 Lanes must be at least 2.5 meters wide, with a 0.2-meter gap between the first lane and the wall with the lane rope.
LANE ROPES FR 2.6.1 Lane ropes must continue along the swimming direction and be securely fastened to each finish with iron rods located inside the finish walls. Each lane rope must have a diameter of at least 0.15 meters and be attached to buoys extending from one end of the pool to the other. There should not be multiple ropes between lanes, and it’s crucial that the lane ropes are tightly secured. FR 2.6.2 Lines separating the 15-meter markers from each finish wall should have a distinct color that is visible from other buoys. FR 2.6.3 Buoys for 50-meter pools marking the 25-meter distance should have a different color from those marking other distances. FR 2.6.4 Soft indicators of lane numbers can be placed on lane ropes at the start and turn ends of the pool.
STARTING BLOCKS Starting blocks must be sturdy and not give a springy feeling. The height of the platform above the water should be between 0.5 to 0.75 meters. The surface area of the platform should be at least 0.5×0.5 meters and covered with a non-slip material. The maximum slope degree cannot exceed 10%. The platform should not give a springy feeling to the swimmer when starting the race. If the starting platform exceeds 0.04 meters, there will be rebounds of 0.01 meters on each side and 0.4 meters in front, cutting the surface of the platform by 0.03 meters. Handholds for the starting motion can be mounted on the starting blocks. Those for the return motion should be placed vertically and horizontally 0.3 to 0.6 meters above the water surface. These parts should be parallel to the finish wall and protrude beyond the finish wall. The depth of the water from the finish wall should be at least 1.35 meters from 1.0 to 6.0 meters away from where the starting blocks are placed. Electronic reading boards can be placed under the blocks. Flashing on the panels is not allowed. Shapes should not move during the return process.
NUMBERING Each starting block should be clearly numbered and visible from all four sides. Lane one should be on the right side when looking towards the swimming direction from the starting end. However, this rule is invalid for events starting in the opposite direction. Touch panels can also be numbered from the top.
TURN MARKERS Flagged ropes extending from one end of the pool to the other must be positioned between 1.8 and 2.5 meters above the water surface and placed at a fixed distance of 5 meters from each finish wall. Clear signs should be placed on both sides of the pool, and wherever possible, the distance between each finish wall and lane rope should be 15.0 meters.
WATER TEMPERATURE The water temperature should be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. During the competition, the pool water temperature should be maintained at a certain level without allowing any changes. Pool cleaning without creating waves or turbulence can continue during the competition, following health regulations mandatory in many countries.
LIGHTING The light intensity should not be less than 600 lux on the starting platforms and turns.
STARTING DEVICES FR 4.3.1 There must be a microphone for the starting referee to give verbal commands. FR 4.3.2 If a pistol is used, a transducer must be used. FR 4.3.3 The microphone and transducer must be connected to speakers at each starting block, and the commands given by the starting referee and the start signal must be heard simultaneously by all swimmers. (equally by each swimmer) FR 4.4.4 Markings: The markings on the panels must be consistent with the pool’s current markings. The perimeters and edges of the panels should be marked with a 0.025-meter black border. FR 4.4.5 Safety: Panels must be safe from electric shocks and should not have sharp edges. FR 4.5 The semi-automatic equipment determines the final touch of the swimmer by the button pressed by the official. FR 4.6 The following constitute the elements required for automatic equipment. FR 4.6.1 Compilation of all information acquired during the race FR 4.6.2 Scoreboard for spectators FR 4.6.3 The broadcast of the race start is considered