Swimmers are allocated exception codes, which prevents them from being disqualified for rule infringement due to the nature of their impairment. Find out more here...
The procedure to identify relevant swimmer exception codes at competitions has been identified as follows:
- Disability specific competitions – meet organisers will be responsible for having up to date information about each swimmer at entry and providing this to the meet referee.
- Competitions which include Multi-Classification (MC) entry conditions - meet organisers will be responsible for having up to date information about each swimmer at entry and providing this to the meet referee.
- For entry where no MC entry conditions exist – the swimmer will be responsible for providing stroke exceptions where applicable. This can be done by checking the relevant Home Country Membership . This can be shown to meet referee via the internet on smart phones or mobile devices, or by producing a printed version of the relevant Home Country Membership page.
The current Codes for Exceptions are as follows:
(For codes of exceptions relating to classification prior to January 2018 please see here)
Starts
- H – Hearing Impairment - light or signal required
- A – Assistance required
- E – Unable to grip for backstroke start
- Y – Starting device
- T – Tapper
- B – Blackened/opaque goggles
During the swim
- 1 – One hand start
- 2 – Breaststroke – One Hand Touch
- 3 – Breaststroke – Simultaneous Intent to Touch
- 4 – Butterfly – One Hand Touch
- 5 – Butterfly – Simultaneous Intent to Touch
- 7 – Part of upper body must touch
- 8 – Right foot must turn out
- 9 – Left foot must turn out
- 12 – Leg drag or show intent to kick
- + – Athlete is physically capable of performing a Butterfly Kick
Strokes
Freestyle - No exception (nil)
Backstroke - Only exception '1' may apply
Butterfly - Exceptions ‘4, 5, 7’ may apply
Breaststroke - Exceptions; Upper Body: ‘2, 3, 7’ may apply, Lower Body: ‘8, 9 or 12, +’ may apply