What if the start isn't fair through no fault of a swimmer?
Rule- South Africa
- Swimming South Africa
- World Aquatics rules
- Starters
- All ages
- 2025/26
- Officials
The Starter decides whether a start is fair, subject only to the Referee. If the Starter decides it is not fair, the swimmers are recalled and the race is restarted (World Aquatics rules, Part Two, Article 2.5.3).
This is separate from a false start by a swimmer, which is dealt with under the one-start rule.
Added 22 Oct 2026