World Aquatics has released the World Aquatics Support Programme key figures for 2024, highlighting the assistance and services delivered to athletes and National Federations this year.
This is a critical year in aquatic sports with the World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. From grassroots to professional, from coaches to officials to athletes across the six aquatic sports, World Aquatics has provided support at every step.
2024: Big Year, Big Picture
Driven by the mission of ensuring everyone's ability to participate in, compete in, and benefit from aquatic sports, World Aquatics Members conducted 621 projects in 169 countries across five continents (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania). These projects involved 395,503 athletes, with World Aquatics contributing 4,493,106 USD to successful programme delivery in 2024.
With a packed annual aquatics calendar, World Aquatics Members prioritised athlete participation in continental and international competitions in 2024. The World Aquatics Support Programme has invested 1,460,000 USD in these competition initiatives this year.
Strengthening sport governance has also been a critical priority for World Aquatics Members in 2024, conducting 196 projects to enhance policy and administration for the benefit of sports, athletes, and transparency this year.
On the sporting front, swimming and open water swimming account for 52% of non-governance support programming at 38% and 14%, respectively.
Impressive World Aquatics Support Programme Stats
In 2024, the World Aquatics Support Programme is set to achieve the following notable figures:
- 22,912 Coaches Involved
- 18,806 Officials Involved
- 6,378 Staff Involved
- 1,674 Events Implemented
- 169 World Aquatics Members conducted Governance projects Governance Projects Conducted
Continental Deep Dive: Africa
World Aquatics Members from African Continent implemented the biggest number of different projects – 191. Getting more African aquatics athletes to compete on the continental and international stages was the most funded activity in 2024, with 440,000 USD invested. The following three highest projects in Africa were for administration, preparation, and training of athletes, coaches, and officials and governance improvement initiatives. The World Aquatics Support Programme budgeted 1.087 million for projects in Africa in 2024.
Continental Focus: Americas
World Aquatics Support in the Americas achieved a significant milestone of reaching more than 100,000 athletes. The Americas had the broadest range of projects beyond swimming and administration, with 46% of the 135 projects focused on other vital areas. The Americas' top investment area is participating in continental and international competitions, accounting for 390,000 USD of the 969,103 USD budgeted for the continent's support programming from World Aquatics.
Continental Pulse: Asia
Asia is the most active continent for diving and high diving, with 11% of World Aquatics Support Programme initiatives focused on these two sports in 2024. Preparing teams was the continent's largest investment area this year, accounting for 270,000 USD of their 805,588 USD budget. The World Aquatics Support Programme funded 88 projects in Asia this year.
Continental Spotlight: Europe
The highest number of National Federations eligible to access the programme funding were in Europe in 2024, with 1.235 million budgeted for 147 projects this year. Europe significantly invested in team preparation and participation at continental and international competitions, accounting for 62% of the budget.
Continental Horizons: Oceania
The World Aquatics Support Programme was most active on a national level in Oceania, with 60 projects taking place among the continent's 15 countries—an average of four projects per country this year. Participating in competitions was the highest-funded area for Oceania Members, with 160,000 USD of the continent's 395,518 USD budget for this year spent on this area.
What National Federations Have to Say About the World Aquatics Support Programme
Mongolia’s Path to Aquatic Growth with World Aquatics Support
The Mongolian National Federation has seen remarkable progress in recent years, crediting the guidance and resources provided by the World Aquatics Development Programme. This partnership has been instrumental in helping the federation overcome challenges, expand opportunities for athletes, and foster a more inclusive culture in aquatic sports across the nation.
“We’ve received much more than financial assistance—it’s the hands-on guidance that has truly made a difference,” shared Enkhbaatar Myagmarjav, a representative of the Mongolian National Federation. “When we started making changes in 2023, the Development team guided us through key processes, including completing our financial reports, which allowed us to rejoin the programme. Their support also helped us improve governance and transparency, giving our federation the tools to thrive.”
As a result, Mongolia has been able to send larger teams to international events, giving athletes the opportunity to gain invaluable experience on the world stage. Moreover, initiatives like the national “I Learned to Swim” programme, which promotes inclusivity and engagement, demonstrate the long-lasting impact of this support on the future of aquatic sports in Mongolia.
Ireland’s Growth in Aquatic Sports with World Aquatics Support
For Swim Ireland, the World Aquatics Development Programme has played a crucial role in helping the federation achieve its goals, particularly in boosting athlete engagement to enhancing the overall aquatic community. The backing from this programme has enabled Swim Ireland to implement projects that might not have been possible otherwise.
“The World Aquatics Support Programme has been essential in delivering key initiatives that would have been challenging to execute without its funding,” shared Swim Ireland representative Mary McMorrow. “Thanks to this support, we’ve launched projects that benefit athletes, volunteers, and the broader aquatic community. Our live-streamed National Championships, streamlined booking system, and Athlete Ambassador Programme have all increased visibility and accessibility, leaving a lasting impact at every level of the sport.”
Strengthening Aquatic Sports in Sint Maarten with World Aquatics Support
The Sint Maarten Aquatic Federation has experienced significant growth and development, thanks to the resources and guidance provided by the World Aquatics Support Programme. The programme has helped elevate the federation’s efforts to improve athlete participation and coaching standards, with a focus on both local and international competition.
“The World Aquatics Support Programme has been invaluable for our federation,” shared Sint Maarten Aquatic Federation representative Natasha Wright. “With their funding, we’ve been able to send more athletes to competitions, and it’s clear they are thriving. The Coaches Certification Level 3 course that our coaches attended has also equipped us to better support our athletes, ensuring their continued success.”
World Aquatics Support Programme's Holistic Approach
The World Aquatics Support Programme is the foundation for development activities within the aquatic community. By providing targeted financial assistance to World Aquatics Members, the programme enables World Aquatics to strengthen its global network. This crucial funding supports a range of initiatives, from improving competition management and governance to purchasing essential equipment and ensuring athletes can compete and train at the highest level. This comprehensive support empowered National Federations to grow aquatic sports from the grassroots to elite levels.