Swimming 
Rules of Competition
The competition will be conducted under the current FINA Swimming Rules and the current International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Rules except where otherwise stated.
Websites for the above organisations can be found at:
http://www.paralympic.org
1. Entry Requirements
All competitors must be bona fide school students, with a minimum age of 10 years and a maximum age of 19 years in the year of competition (2008). Each competitor will require certification of their enrolment in a school signed by the school’s principal.
1.1 Age Groups
10 years – born 1998
11 years – born 1997
12 years – born 1996
13 years – born 1995
14 years – born 1994
15 years – born 1993
16 years – born 1992
17 years – born 1991
18 years – born 1990
19 years – born 1989
1.2 Junior Events
Junior events are for swimmers in the 13 and 14 years age groups. For swimmers with a disability, Junior events are for swimmers in the 10, 11 and 12 years age groups.
1.3 Intermediate Events
Intermediate events are for swimmers in the 15 and 16 years age groups. For swimmers with a disability Intermediate events are for swimmers in the 13, 14 and 15 years age group.
1.4 Senior Events
Senior events are for swimmers with a disability, in the 16, 17, 18 and 19 years age groups.
1.5 Competitors
Competitors must compete in their age group except where otherwise stated.
1.6 Able Bodied swimmers
All 50m, 100m and relays for able bodied swimmers will be run on a heats and finals basis. All other events will be run as timed finals
1.7 Multi Disability (MD)
All Multi-Disability (MD) events will be run as timed finals.
2. Swimmers With A Disability
2.1
In multi- disability events only one gold, one silver and one bronze medal will be awarded per event.
2.2
All Escorts must have appropriate 2008 PSG accreditation.
2.3
Blind S11 swimmers are to provide their own blacked out goggles for use during all swimming events entered.
2.4
Blind S11 swimmers are to be tapped at the turn and at the end of race. Two team tappers are required, one at each end of the pool. Tappers must be supplied by team management.
2.5
Verbal communication or coaching by staff when tapping during a race may lead to disqualification of the competitor.
2.6
Team staff tappers for the blind competitors are to report to the Referee/Technical Advisor prior to the commencement of the Meet.
2.7
Team Tappers must have appropriate 2008 PSG accreditation.
2.8
Competitors are not permitted the use of a mechanical hoist for ingress or egress from the pool.
3. Confirmation of Entries And Withdrawals
3.1
All swimmers are deemed to be confirmed.
3.2
Withdrawals and substitutions may be made by Team Management at the Team Officials Meeting on Saturday 29 November commencing 5:30pm in the ‘Silver Room’ at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). Withdrawals and substitutions can then be made before each session up until 30 minutes before the commencement of that session. This applies only to timed finals events. Final sessions rules apply as outlined in 3.3 (below).
3.3
Withdrawals from the Finals may be made by completing a withdrawal form and submitting it to the Recording area not more than 30 minutes after the posting of results for the heats of that event.
3.4
Withdrawal from Timed Finals may be made by completing a withdrawal form and submitting it to the Recording area within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the previous session.
3.5
Withdrawals which occur after this time shall be deemed to be a late withdrawal and may result in the swimmer being penalised and excluded from their next race.
3.6
All withdrawals and substitutions must be made by Team Management only.
4. Protest and Jury of Appeal
4.1
Protests to the Referee by a Team Manager on behalf of a swimmer must be made through the Meet Director.
4.1.1 Protest must be submitted:
(a) in writing using the PSG protest form;
(b) by the responsible team official only;
(c) together with a deposit of $100 AUD; and
(d) within 30 minutes following the conclusion of the respective event.
4.1.2 All protests shall be considered by the referee. If he/she rejects the protest, he/she must state the reasons for the decision. The Team Manager may appeal the rejection by the Referee to a Jury of Appeal whose decision shall be final.
4.1.3 If the protest is rejected, the deposit may be forfeited to the management body if the competition. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be returned.
4.2
A Jury of Appeal will be selected from a panel appointed by the 2008 PSG.
4.2.1 The Meet Director shall select the members of the Jury on each occasion when one is required.
4.2.2 The Chairman of the Jury of Appeal shall convey the decision of the Jury to the Team Manager via the Meet Director
5. Marshalling
5.1
There will be no marshalling calls. Competitors must follow the claims board and report to the Marshals as soon as their event is displayed.
5.2
Competitors entered in the first or second events of a session must report to the marshalling area no later than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of that session.
5.3
All heats shall be deemed to be one (1) event for the purpose of this rule.
5.4
Once competitors have reported to the Marshal they must remain in the marshalling area until directed to their starting positions by the Check Starter.
5.5
Escorts and Guides as requested by states/territories/countries for disabled swimmers will need to get their swimmers to the marshalling area at the required time. The Escort/Guide will need to carry their accreditation. The Escort/Guide will be put through the same procedures as the swimmer and will then accompany the competitor to the start area as directed by the Check Starter.
5.6
In the event of withdrawal prior to the heats, the Referee may at his/her absolute discretion amalgamate heats or reseed the entire event.
5.7
Team coaches are not permitted to be in the marshalling area.
5.8
Competitors who do not follow the above procedures risk elimination.
6. Starting Instructions
6.1
The start in Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley races shall be with a dive. On the long whistle from the Referee the swimmers shall step onto the starting platform and remain there. On the starter's command "take your marks" competitors will immediately take up their starting positions with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform. The position of the hands is not relevant. When all competitors are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal.
6.2
The start in Backstroke and Medley Relay races shall be from the water. On the first long whistle from the Referee the swimmers shall immediately enter the water. At the Referee’s second long whistle the swimmers shall return without delay to the starting position. When all swimmers have assumed their starting positions, the starter shall give the command "take your marks". When all swimmers are stationary the Starter shall give the starting signal.
6.3
The command "take your marks" shall be in English.
6.4
Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given, shall be disqualified.
6.5
If the starting signal sounds before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue and the swimmer or swimmers shall be disqualified upon completion of the race.
6.6
If the disqualification is declared before the starting signal, the signal shall not be given, but the remaining swimmers shall be called back and start again.
7. Medley Events
7.1
In an Individual Medley event the sequence of strokes is Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
7.2
In a Medley Relay event the sequence of strokes is Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.
8. Post Event
8.1
Competitors must finish in the lane in which they start and will remain in the water in their lanes at the finish of the event. On the signal from the Referee, competitors are to leave the water by the side of the pool.
8.2
If, because of the length of the program "starting over the top" is used, competitors from the preceding heat are to move to the side of the lane, hold onto the lane rope, and remain still. When the next heat has started they should leave the pool by the sides as quickly as possible.
9. Progression to Finals
9.1
The fastest 8 swimmers shall progress to the final with the next 2 fastest swimmers being named as reserves.
9.2
In the event that two or more swimmers register equal times to 1/100th second for 8th position in the final, that position will be decided by a swim off at the completion of the heats session.
10. Seeding of Events
All heats will be seeded in accordance with FINA rules.
11. Competitor Services
11.1
A numbered basket will provided for each lane for every event. Warm-up clothing is to be placed in the basket and will be available to competitors in the retrieval area at the completion of the race.
11.2
Valuables should not be taken onto pool deck.
11.3
Mobile phones must not be taken onto pool deck.
12. Swimming Caps
It is compulsory for all swimmers to wear a swimming cap at the AIS swimming complex. Caps must be a State, Territory or Country cap.
13. Medal Presentations
13.1
Medal presentation ceremonies will be held at the times indicated in the program and are an official part of the competition.
13.2
In the event of a protest the Medal Ceremony will be delayed until the result of the protest is known.
13.3
All Medallists must be dressed in their Team Uniform for the Presentation Ceremony. Medallists must wear appropriate sports foot wear. Bare feet are NOT acceptable. Swimming costumes and hats of any kind are NOT to be worn for Presentations.
13.4
All medal winners must be in the marshalling area at the conclusion of their event and the announcement of placings or 15 minutes prior to the advertised time of commencement of the Medal Ceremony whichever is the earlier.
13.5
It is the responsibility of Team Management to ensure medallists are dressed correctly, are punctual and ready for the presentation.
13.6
Once in the assembly area, all medal winners are under the control of the Ceremonies Co-ordinator until official photographs have been taken at the conclusion of their medal presentation.
13.7
Medallists will be escorted to the Presentation Dias.
13.8
Athletes must wait until their name is announced before stepping onto the Presentation Dias.
13.9
At the conclusion of the Presentation Ceremony, athletes will be escorted on a parade around the pool deck. Other ceremonies will continue whilst this is happening.
Competition Procedures
Team Management Access
1. Warm-up
1.1
Only accredited team officials will be allowed on pool deck during this time.
1.2
Transfer of accreditation is not permitted under any circumstances.
2. Competition
2.1
Team officials will not have access to pool deck during competition, except with the purpose of consulting with the Referee or Meet Director.
2.2
Accreditation must be worn at all times.
3. Warm-up Prior to Competition Sessions
3.1
Warm-up will begin 60 minutes prior to the start of each session.
3.2
Only swimmers competing in that session may warm-up at this time.
3.3
All swimmers must be supervised by an accredited Team Coach.
3.4
Initial entry into the pool with feet first entry, with the exception of those lanes designated as start and sprint warm-up only.
3.5
Swimmers must only swim in a clockwise direction.
3.6
Swimmers must not grab or climb over timing pads.
3.7
Warm-up will cease 10 minutes before competition start time.
3.8
All lanes at both ends of the pool will be available for diving practice during the final 15 minutes of the warm-up session. During the diving practice time swimmers are to exit the pool prior to the 25m point.
4. Cool Down Sessions
4.1
The 25m pool will be available for cool-down.
4.2
Cool-down sessions will be available for 30 minutes following completion of the last event of all sessions.
Last updated on: 14 October 2008
