How are para swimmers disqualified?
A · Advanced · The race and results · 4 of 4A swimmer who breaks the rules is disqualified and gets no time or place. Swimmers must stay in their lane, may not pull the lane rope, and obstructing another disqualifies the offender; a swimmer whose race is spoilt may swim again. A team leader may lodge a technical protest in writing with a 150 euro deposit, but not against decisions of fact.
How it works
- Disqualification: no time or place.
- Own lane: start and finish in it.
- Lane rope: no pulling.
- Obstruction: disqualifies the offender.
- Spoilt race: the referee may let the victim swim again.
- Official error: may cancel a swimmer's fault.
- Protest: written, by the team leader, with 150 euros.
- Not protestable: decisions of fact.
The glossary has the disqualification (para swimming), the own lane, the obstruction and lane rope, the technical protest, the turn (para swimming) and the pace making.
Tricky cases
A swimmer surfaces in another lane. Result?
Disqualification, unless a vision-impaired swimmer with a tapper.
Can a swimmer push off the bottom at a turn?
No. Turns are made from the wall.
A judge's error follows a swimmer's fault. What happens?
The referee may expunge the fault.
When must a protest about pool conditions be made?
Before the starting signal.
Why the rule exists
Lane rules keep races safe and fair. Limiting protests to rule questions stops endless disputes over what officials saw.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lane faults | Disqualification | 11.8.3 |
| Vision with tapper | Leniency | 11.8.3 |
| Protests | 150 euros, written | 10.13 |
From the rule book
World Para Swimming, Rules and Regulations, February 2026, sections 10.12, 10.13 and 11.8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Para Swimming Rules and Regulations, February 2026.