What are the swimming relays, and how do they work?
B · Beginner · The event · 1 of 6A relay is swum by a team of four, each covering a quarter of the distance. The Olympic relays are the 4 x 100 m and 4 x 200 m freestyle and the 4 x 100 m medley, plus a mixed medley relay. The next swimmer's feet must stay on the platform until the incoming swimmer touches.
How it works
- The team: four swimmers. In a mixed relay, two men and two women.
- Freestyle relays: 4 x 100 m and 4 x 200 m.
- The medley relay: 4 x 100 m, in the order backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.
- In 25 m pools: 4 x 50 m freestyle and medley relays are swum as well.
- The takeover: the outgoing swimmer's feet must be in contact with the platform until the incoming swimmer touches the wall.
- Once each: a swimmer may swim only one leg.
- The order: named before the race by the team leader.
- Each leg by its own rules: every swimmer follows the rules of the stroke they are swimming.
- One fault, whole team: a breach by one swimmer disqualifies the relay team.
- The winner: the fastest team time, recorded to a hundredth of a second.
Tricky cases
Can a team's fastest swimmer swim two legs?
No. A swimmer may compete only once in a relay race.
Does a mixed relay have to go man, woman, man, woman?
No. The rule asks for two men and two women. It does not set the order.
One swimmer leaves early and the team still touches first. Does the team win?
No. The relay team is disqualified.
Why the rule exists
A relay is only a fair team race if each swimmer covers a full leg. The platform rule is what guarantees that: no swimmer may be on their way before the one before has finished.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 1.2; SW 10.4 |
| World Championships in 25 m pools | Mixed 4 x 50 m freestyle and medley relays are added | SW 1.4 |
| Junior and other events | The programme is set in the same article for each championship | SW 1.5 |
| Individual medley | One swimmer, in the order butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle | SW 9.1 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 1.2 to 1.5 and 9.2 and 10.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).