What do the yellow and red flags mean in open water swimming?
I · Intermediate · The race · 1 of 6A swimmer who breaks a rule or makes intentional contact with another is shown a yellow flag and a card with their number. A second infringement brings a red flag and disqualification. An act a referee judges unsporting means immediate disqualification, with no yellow flag first. The same applies to what a swimmer's representative or escort boat does.
How it works
- Who is covered: the competitor, the competitor's approved representative and the escort safety craft.
- What for: taking advantage "by committing any violation of the rules or by making intentional contact with any competitor".
- First infringement: "A yellow flag and a card bearing the competitor's number shall be raised".
- Second infringement: a red flag and the card are raised and "The competitor shall be disqualified."
- Unsporting: if an action is deemed unsporting, "the Referee shall disqualify the competitor concerned immediately". The competitor must leave the water at once and takes no further part.
- Who decides: the chief referee and the referees, each of whom may disqualify for a violation they personally observe.
- Later: the chief referee may decide to enforce a disqualification at the end of the race.
- Video: where a decision review system is in use, a video review judge watches the finish funnel and reports violations to the chief referee.
- Medical help: an official medical officer helping a swimmer in distress is not "intentional contact".
The glossary lists this under open water flags.
Tricky cases
Two swimmers bump arms going round a buoy. Is that a yellow flag?
No, not for accidental contact. The rule is about intentional contact and taking advantage.
A swimmer pulls back a rival by the ankle. What happens?
It depends on how the referee sees it. Intentional contact brings a yellow flag. If the referee deems it unsporting, the swimmer is disqualified at once.
A swimmer's coach on the feeding platform breaks a rule. Is the swimmer penalised?
Yes. The procedure applies to violations by a competitor's approved representative as well.
Does a yellow flag in one round of the knockout sprint carry over?
Yes. A first infringement in round one or two stays in place if the swimmer advances.
Why the rule exists
Swimmers in a pack touch one another constantly, so the rule turns on intent and on advantage. A warning first reflects how hard it is to be sure what happened in churned-up water. The straight red for unsporting acts covers the cases where there is no doubt: a pull on a leg, an elbow, a swimmer held under.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | OWS 5.3; OWS 3.1.6; OWS 3.2 |
| At the start | An unfair advantage brings a yellow or red flag | OWS 4.8 |
| Pool swimming | No warnings. A breach means disqualification | Swimming Rules 10.3 |
| Knockout sprint | A first infringement carries into later rounds | OWS 1.3.2 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Three: Open Water Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 1.3.2, 3.1.6, 3.2, 3.17, 4.8, 5.3 and 5.7.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).