Swimming / Topic 10
Relay teams and exchanges
World Aquatics · 2026In short
Team composition · A legal takeover
Team composition
A relay team has 4 swimmers. A mixed relay has 2 men and 2 women. The swimming order must be declared by the deadline, and each swimmer races only once in that relay. Eligible team members may change between heats and finals; late substitutions require a documented medical emergency and permission.
A legal takeover
The next swimmer's feet must remain in contact with the starting block until the incoming swimmer touches the wall. Exchanges start from the block, not with a running start from the deck. Finished swimmers must leave without obstructing others; an illegal exchange or unauthorised entry can disqualify the team.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent explanations of the supplied World Aquatics Competition Regulations, February 2026. This guide covers pool swimming only, not other aquatic disciplines. References use PDF viewer page numbers; topic numbers are editorial.
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