SWIMMING 

QUALIFIED ATHLETES

QUALIFIED RELAY TEAMS

QUALIFICATION PROCEDURE

Thirty-five (35) events are included in the program of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for Swimming: 

Men's events	Women's Events	Mixed Events
50m Freestyle	50m Freestyle	4x100m Medley Relay
100m Freestyle	100m Freestyle
200m Freestyle	200m Freestyle
400m Freestyle	400m Freestyle
800m Freestyle	800m Freestyle
1500m Freestyle	1500m Freestyle
100m Backstroke	100m Backstroke
200m Backstroke	200m Backstroke
100m Breaststroke	100m Breaststroke
200m Breaststroke	200m Breaststroke
100m Butterfly	100m Butterfly
200m Butterfly	200m Butterfly
200m Individual Medley	200m Individual Medley
400m Individual Medley	400m Individual Medley
4x100m Freestyle Relay	4x100m Freestyle Relay
4x200m Freestyle Relay	4x200m Freestyle Relay
4x100m Medley Relay	4x100m Medley Relay

ATHLETES QUOTA

Total number of athletes for Swimming:

• Qualification Places = TBC 
• Universality Places = *TBC 
• Total places = 852

*It is understood that all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that enter and compete in the World Aquatics Championships will have the opportunity to compete in Paris 2024. Thus, the precise number of Universality places will not be known until a later date.

Maximum number of athletes per NOC: 

	Quota per NOC	Event Specific Quota
Women	Max 26 athletes	Max 2 athletes per event Max 1 relay team per event
Men	Max 26 athletes	Max 2 athletes per event Max 1 relay team per event

NOCs without any qualified athlete or relay team may enter a maximum of two (2) athletes – one (1) man and one (1) woman (Universality Places) in one (1) event each (see section D.3. Universality places below). Two (2) athletes of the same gender entered via Universality are not permitted. 

Type of Allocation of Quota Places:

• The quota place is allocated to the athlete by name in individual events.
• The quota place is allocated to the NOC in Relay events.

ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY

Compliance with the Olympic Charter and other relevant rules

All athletes must respect and comply with the provisions of the Olympic Charter currently in force, including but not limited to Rule 41 (Nationality of Competitors) and Rule 43 (World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions).

Only those athletes who respect and comply with the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, including the conditions of participation established by the IOC, plus the rules of World Aquatics, may participate in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Only the athletes who are eligible to participate at the official World Aquatics competitions, in accordance with the World Aquatics Competition Regulations, are entitled to participate in the Olympic Games.

Age

An athlete entering through Universality will be limited to:

• a maximum of two Olympic Games in their career; or
• not being older than the age of thirty (30) years as of 1/1/2025.

QUALIFICATION PATHWAY

The priority order for qualification places into the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be:

1. All athletes with an Olympic Qualification Time (OQT)
2. Athletes in relays (also referred to as Relay-Only Athletes)
3. Universality Places
4. Invited athletes who have achieved an Olympic Consideration Time (OCT)

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATION

Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT) and Olympic Consideration Time (OCT)

For each individual event at the Olympic Games, World Aquatics will establish standard Entry Times of two (2) types: an “Olympic Qualification Time (OQT)” and an "Olympic Consideration Time (OCT),” of which the OCT shall be the easier to achieve.

Standard entry times can only be achieved in competitions approved for that purpose by World Aquatics during the qualification period from 1^st March 2023 to 23^rd June 2024. The list of the qualification times to be achieved by the athletes per event and per standard is set out in paragraph Qualification Time Standards.

World Aquatics will establish a calendar with approved qualification events for individual entries. All competitions seeking approval as qualifying events must apply to World Aquatics no later than 31^st December 2023, and these requests must be prior to the first date of the respective competition. The calendar is published here and updated consistently throughout the time period, with the final calendar published by 15^th January 2024. The calendar will include, but shall not be limited to, events such as the World Aquatics Championships, Continental Championships, Continental Qualification events, National Championships and Trials, though all events must submit a formal application to World Aquatics in accordance with this paragraph. All qualification events will have to be completed on or before 23^rd June 2024, unless otherwise approved by World Aquatics and the IOC.

Athletes who have achieved the Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT) 

Athletes who equal or better the OQT in one or more individual events are automatically qualified to participate in the Olympic Games Paris 2024, provided that the maximum quota per event for that NOC is not exceeded. 

NOCs can enter two (2) athletes in the same event, only if both athletes have equalled or bettered the OQT. 

Invited athletes who have achieved an Olympic Consideration Time (OCT)   

While both athletes who qualify via relays and via Universality are next in the priority order after athletes with OQTs, the OCT is addressed here due to its direct relation to the overall quota of 852 athletes in Paris 2024.

Following the end of the qualification period and in the event that the quota of 852 athletes is not reached after application of the first three categories of paragraph D: Qualification Pathway, World Aquatics will then invite athletes who have equalled or bettered an OCT, until the total quota of 852 athletes is reached. OCT invitations will be allocated in the following manner:

1. If there are 28 or more spaces available, one athlete will be invited in each of the 28 individual events. In each individual event, this will be the next fastest athlete with an OCT, provided that this athlete is not the third swimmer in an individual event from the same NOC, or the second swimmer from an NOC if there is already one OQT athlete from that NOC.
2. If any of the 28 athletes who has the fastest OCT has already qualified for Paris 2024 in another event or events, the next fastest athlete in that athlete’s OCT event will be invited.
3. If any of the 28 athletes has the (next) fastest OCT and it is the same athlete in two different events, then that athlete will be selected, as well as the next OCT athlete in both events, provided there are enough quota spaces remaining. If there are not enough quota spaces remaining, then the next OCT athlete who has the higher World Aquatics World Ranking will be selected over the other athlete (see Point 5 below for the definition and parameters for the World Aquatics World Ranking).
4. This process will continue until there are 27 or fewer quota slots available in the athlete field.
5. When there are 27 or fewer quota spaces available, each of the athletes who is the next fastest in each individual event will be ranked via a World Aquatics World Ranking in each event from 1st March 2023 through 23rd June 2024. This ranking will only allow the fastest time from each athlete in that time period (multiple swims from the same athlete will not be included, only the fastest time for each athlete).
6. For example, if there are 15 spaces available, the 15 highest/fastest World Ranked OCT athletes (of the 27) will be selected.
7. If there is a World Aquatics World Ranking tie between two or more athletes in different events for the final spot in the athlete field, this tie will be broken by comparing the time of each athlete to the current/approved OQT in that event. The current OQT will be the numerator, and the athlete’s OCT will be the denominator, and the athlete with the highest ratio will be selected (the highest ratio is the ratio closest to 1.000).
8. If there is a World Ranking tie between two or more athletes in the same event for the final quota space(s) in the athlete field, all athletes who are a part of this tie will be invited to compete in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
9. If there is a tie for the final quota space in the field after all tie-breaking steps have been taken for athletes in different events, both athletes would be invited to compete in the Olympic Games.

Once an athlete has been formally invited as an OCT athlete into the field for Paris 2024, he/she may enter a second individual event in which the athlete has his/her highest World Aquatics Point score, provided that there is no other athlete from that NOC in that second event.  

RELAY QUALIFICATION

There shall be a maximum of sixteen (16) qualified teams in each relay event. Each NOC may enter only one (1) team in each relay event.  

Three (3) NOCs per relay event shall be qualified for the corresponding relay event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 based upon the final results achieved in their performances at the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023.  If there is a tie for third (3^rd) place in any of the relays, all NOCs involved in the 3^rd-place tie will be invited to compete in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. 

The remaining thirteen (13) teams per relay event shall be the teams with the fastest times based upon the results achieved in their preliminary heat and finals performances in the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023 and World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024, excluding those teams already qualified in that event from the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023.  If there was a tie for 3^rd place in any of the relays from the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023, only twelve (12) teams in that relay event after the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 will be invited to compete in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. 

At the conclusion of the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024, if there is a tie in any of the relay events for the final place for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, all NOCs involved in the tie will conduct a head-to-head swim-off in that event to determine the final invitation.  This swim-off will be conducted on a date and time that is mutually agreeable to all involved NOCs, though World Aquatics will have the final approval of this date and time.

If any of the qualified teams do not accept the invitation for participation in Paris 2024 for any reason, the next eligible team with the fastest times achieved in the combine rankings of the preliminary heats and finals of the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023 and the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 will be offered the relay team place.

The relay place is allocated to the NOC.

All athletes entered in individual events can be used in relays, even if they have not achieved the OCT for the corresponding stroke and distance of the relay in which they are entered. The NOC may compose its team with additional athletes according to the formula below.

The following formula shall apply:

One (1) Relay	two (2) additional athletes
Two (2) Relays	four (4) additional athletes
Three (3) Relays	six (6) additional athletes
Four (4) Relays	eight (8) additional athletes
Five (5) Relays	ten (10) additional athletes
Six (6) or seven (7) Relays	twelve (12) additional athletes

If an NOC has a relay team, which has been invited to compete in the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and does not have a sufficient number of qualified (OQT) and invited (OCT) athletes to enable the relay team to participate, notwithstanding the provisions outlined above, World Aquatics Bureau may, in its absolute discretion, and on an exceptional basis,  offer additional Relay-Only athlete quota places to the NOC for the sole purpose of enabling the relay team to participate in the relevant event.

If an NOC enters Relay-Only Athletes, these athletes must swim either in the heat or final of at least one relay event. Should a Relay-Only Athlete not compete, this will lead to the disqualification of the last relay team for which he/she was eligible to compete. This is not applicable in case of a medical injury or medical emergency after confirmation from World Aquatics.

There are no longer minimum time standards necessary for Relay-only athletes due to the requirement that Relay-only athletes must compete in at least one relay event. 

The NOCs must confirm to World Aquatics the participation of their qualified relay team by no later than 7^th June 2024.

The NOCs must confirm their Relay-Only Athletes to World Aquatics by no later than 24^th June 2024.  

UNIVERSALITY PLACES (UNQUALIFIED ATHLETES)

NOCs without any qualified athlete or relay team may enter a maximum of two (2) athletes – one (1) man and one (1) woman (Universality Places) in one (1) event each. Two athletes of the same gender entered via Universality are not permitted.

NOCs with no athletes who have achieved an OQT nor any athlete invited by World Aquatics through the OCT may enter a maximum of one (1) man and one (1) woman.

NOCs with athletes having achieved an OQT or invited by World Aquatics through the OCT in one (1) gender only may also enter one (1) universality swimmer in the other gender.

Athletes with an OCT achieved (but not invited via the OCT due to the quota being reached) may be invited through Universality Places and may be entered in up to two (2) individual events. Those athletes who do not have an OCT will be limited to enter one (1) individual event only.

As outlined in Section C, Athletes Eligibility, entering through Universality will be limited to a maximum of up to two Olympic Games in their career or not being older than the age of thirty (30) years as of 1^st January 2025. 

Additionally, NOCs are obligated to enter the male athlete and the female athlete who have achieved the highest World Aquatics Points Table score in any individual Olympic event, as achieved at a World Aquatics-approved qualification event during the qualification period, using the World Aquatics Points Table, 1st January 2024 edition. 

Exceptions will be granted only for circumstances of (1) injury or retirement, with verification by the athlete and after review by World Aquatics, or (2) if there are doping control violations or disciplinary actions against this athlete ; or (3) if, based on exceptional circumstances, an NOC and/or National Federation considers that another on the World Aquatics Points Table should be selected, such NOC and/or National Federation should apply for such consideration with the World Aquatics Executive by 1 June 2024. The decision of the World Aquatics Executive shall be final.

NOCs must submit their applications for Universality Places to World Aquatics for approval by 24^th June 2024. World Aquatics will confirm the Universality Places to NOCs by 3^rd July 2024.

CONFIRMATION PROCESS FOR FINAL QUOTA PLACES

Following the end of the qualification period (23^rd June 2024), World Aquatics shall assess the number of athletes having achieved the OQT, the number of Relay-Only Athletes and the number of Universality Places. In order to complete the overall athletes’ quota, World Aquatics shall then invite athletes that have achieved an OCT and inform each NOC accordingly by 3^rd July 2024. World Aquatics will make all efforts to give each NOC a 24-48 hour window in which to notify each NOC that one of its athletes is under consideration to be invited, and an online tracking tool will be used on the World Aquatics website showing the athletes qualified in each event. World Aquatics will also seek confirmation from NOCs concerning the participation of athletes with OQTs.

NOCs will then have to confirm if they wish to use these invitation places, as detailed in the  Qualification Timeline.  

REALLOCATION OF UNUSED QUOTA PLACES

If an allocated team relay quota place is not confirmed by the NOC by the confirmation of quota place deadline or is declined by the NOC, the quota place will be reallocated to the next eligible team with the fastest time achieved in the combine rankings of the preliminary heats and finals of the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023 and the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024.

If an individual quota place is declined by an NOC, the quota place will be reallocated to the next highest ranked athlete in the relevant event in the World Aquatics World Rankings for Paris 2024 as of 23^rd June 2024.

QUALIFICATION TIMELINE

Date	Milestone
15th January 2024	List of final qualification events to be established, published and updated on www.worldaquatics.com
1st March 2023 – 23rd June 2024	Period to achieve qualification time standards for individual events
14th – 30th July 2023	World Aquatics Championships 2022, Fukuoka (JPN)
2nd – 18th February 2024	World Aquatics Championships 2024, Doha (QAT)
3rd June 2024	World Aquatics to inform NOCs of qualified relay teams
7th June 2024	NOCs to confirm the participation of their relay teams to World Aquatics
14th June 2024	World Aquatics to reallocate unused relay teams’ quotas
23rd June 2024	End of period to achieve qualification time standards for individual events
24th June 2024	NOCs to confirm Relay-Only Athletes to World Aquatics
24th June 2024	Deadline for NOCs to submit to World Aquatics their application for Universality Places
3rd July 2024	World Aquatics to inform NOCs of OQT athletes and OCT athlete invitations
3rd July 2024	World Aquatics to confirm the allocation of Universality Places to NOCs
4th July 2024	NOCs to confirm use of OQT athletes and OCT athlete invitations to World Aquatics
4th July 2024	NOCs to confirm the acceptance of Universality Places
5th July 2024	World Aquatics to reallocate unused OCT athletes’ invitations
By 5th July 2021	World Aquatics to reallocate all unused quota places
5th July 2021	World Aquatics to inform Paris 2024 Sports Entries Department of all allocated quota places
8th July 2024	Paris 2024 Sport Entries deadline
26th July – 11th August 2024	Olympic Games Paris 2024 (Swimming - 27th July – 4th August 2024)

 

QUALIFICATION TIME STANDARDS

The following table outlines the Qualification Time Standards (OQT) * for the Olympic Games Paris 2024:

Event	Men		Women
	OQT - 2 entries	OCT - 1 entry	OQT - 2 entries	OCT - 1 entry
50m Freestyle	21.96	22.07	24.70	24.82
100m Freestyle	48.34	48.58	53.61	53.88
200m Freestyle	1:46.26	01:46.79	1:57.26	01:57.85
400m Freestyle	3:46.78	03:47.91	4:07.90	04:09.14
800m Freestyle	7:51.65	07:54.01	8:26.71	08:29.24
1500m Freestyle	15:00.99	15:05.49	16:09.09	16:13.94
100m Backstroke	53.74	54.01	59.99	01:00.29
200m Backstroke	1:57.50	01:58.09	2:10.39	02:11.04
100m Breaststroke	59.49	59.79	1:06.79	01:07.12
200m Breaststroke	2:09.68	02:10.33	2:23.91	02:24.63
100m Butterfly	51.67	51.93	57.92	58.21
200m Butterfly	1:55.78	01:56.36	2:08.43	02:09.07
200m Individual Medley	1:57.94	01:58.53	2:11.47	02:12.13
400m Individual Medley	4:12.50	04:13.76	4:38.53	04:39.92

*Explanation :

• OQTs correspond to the time achieved by the 14TH Place in the respective preliminary heats of the event in Tokyo 2020.
• All OCTs were derived by adding 0.5% to the OQT time standard.

The qualification system (English Version) can be downloaded in the link below and it is also available on Olympics.com.   

Note: In case of missing information, Olympics.com is the only source of truth as the document available on their platform will prevail.  

QUALIFICATIONS - UNIVERSALITY PLACES

EXPLANATORY NOTE:

Table of Top-ranked male and female swimmers representing NOCs/NFs that do not have Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT) in either gender or both, as of 3rd June 2024, by World Aquatics Points (2024 Edition).

An athlete entering through Universality will be limited to:

• a maximum of two Olympic Games in their career; or
• not being older than the age of thirty (30) years as of 1/1/2025.

The report will be periodically updated with the latest results from the Paris 2024 qualification events. For any inquiries regarding the rankings and qualifications, please contact swimming.olympic@worldaquatics.com.