World Aquatics

People love sports in the water.

World Aquatics helps many water sports. They look after swimming and diving. They also help with water polo. People do artistic swimming and high diving. They even do open water swimming.

This group started a long time ago. It was born in 1908. At first, only eight lands were members. Now, there are many more members.

They hold big races for the world. These are called championships. Some races are for young people. Other races are for adults.

They help people play together. It is a fun way to compete.

People love sports in the water.

World Aquatics is a large group that runs water sports. They help with six different sports. These are swimming, diving, and high diving. They also manage water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.

This group started in 1908. It was once called FINA. At first, only eight nations were members. Now, there are 210 member nations.

They have members from all over the world. This includes places like Bhutan and Anguilla.

World Aquatics holds big contests called championships. The biggest event happens every two years.

These contests use a 50 meter pool for swimming. They also have races for adults. We call these Masters competitions. These are for people aged 25 or older. They even have contests for young people. Some sports changed their names too. Artistic swimming is the new name for synchronized swimming. This name shows that the sport is about art and dance.

World Aquatics is the group that runs water sports for the whole world.

It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee to manage big contests. The group looks after six different sports in the water. These are swimming, diving, and high diving. They also manage water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming. People love these sports for the skill and excitement they show. The group makes sure the rules are fair for everyone.

There are many ways the group manages these sports. They use a Congress to make the biggest decisions. This Congress can meet in person or through video calls. Every two years, they hold an Ordinary Congress to talk about important matters. They also have a Bureau to help lead the group. This group includes a President and many other members from different places. They also have an Athletes Committee to give swimmers and divers a voice.

The group has a long history that began a long time ago. It was founded on July 19, 1908, at the Manchester Hotel in London. At that time, it was called FINA. Eight nations helped start it, including Belgium, France, and Great Britain. In 1973, the very first World Aquatics Championships were held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Dr. Hal Henning was a leader who helped start those first big championships. He also helped keep many swimming events in the Olympic Games.

Today, World Aquatics is much larger than it was at the start. In 1908, there were only eight member nations. By 2023, there were 208 members, and by 2025, that number grew to 210. These members come from all over the world. For example, Bhutan joined in 2017, and Anguilla joined in late 2017. Members are grouped into five areas: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The group is also moving its main office from Switzerland to Budapest, Hungary.

World Aquatics organizes many different types of events for all ages. The biggest event is the World Aquatics Championships, which happens every two years. These championships use a 50 meter pool for many swimming races. They also have Masters championships for adults aged 25 or older. There are even special contests for younger athletes called junior championships. Some sports even changed their names to better describe them. For instance, synchronized swimming is now called artistic swimming to show it involves art and dance.

World Aquatics is the international governing body for all competitive water sports. It is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to administer these disciplines globally. Formerly known as FINA, the organization underwent an official name change in January 2023.

This federation ensures that competitions are managed fairly and consistently across the world. It serves as a vital link between local national federations and the global sporting community. By setting standards, it allows athletes to compete on a level playing field.

The organization manages six distinct aquatic disciplines. These include swimming, diving, and high diving. It also oversees water polo, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.

In 2017, the name for synchronized swimming was changed to artistic swimming. This change reflected a broader set of evaluation criteria. Judges now look at choreography and artistic expression alongside synchronization. This evolution shows how the organization adapts to the changing nature of the sports it governs.

World Aquatics operates through a complex and organized governance structure. The highest authority is the World Aquatics Congress. This body has the power to decide on all major matters within the organization. Congresses can be held in person or via teleconference. An Ordinary Congress occurs every two years, often at the site of a major event. An Extraordinary Congress can be called by the Bureau or by one-fifth of the Members. Each member is represented by up to two delegates with voting rights.

The Bureau serves as the leadership group for the federation. It consists of the President and thirty-nine Bureau Members. The President is elected by the Congress for a four-year term. Twenty-two Bureau Members are elected as continental representatives. These members are distributed geographically and by gender across five regions. The remaining sixteen members are elected as World-at-Large Bureau Members. This structure ensures that different parts of the world have a voice in leadership.

The history of the organization began in the early 20th century. FINA was founded on July 19, 1908, at the Manchester Hotel in London. This occurred at the end of the 1908 Summer Olympics. Eight national federations were responsible for its formation. These included Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, and Sweden. In 1973, the first World Aquatics Championships were staged in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Dr. Hal Henning, a former U.S. Olympic Swim Committee Chair, was a key figure. He served as the first American president from 1972 to 1976. He was instrumental in starting the Belgrade championships and maintaining swimming events in the Olympics.

The federation has seen massive growth in its membership over the decades. In 1908, there were only eight founding nations. By 1978, the number reached 106. By 2012, there were 203 members. As of 2025, the number of member federations has grown to 210. Recent additions include Bhutan in 2017 and São Tomé and Príncipe in 2025.

Members are organized into five continental associations: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. These associations help manage the specific needs of their regions.

World Aquatics organizes several tiers of competition for different age groups and skill levels. The largest event is the biennial World Aquatics Championships. These are traditionally held in odd-numbered years. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions, the championships will be held annually from 2022 through 2025. The organization also hosts the World Aquatics Masters Championships for athletes aged 25 or older. For younger athletes, there are various junior championships in disciplines like swimming and diving. There are also specialized events like the High Diving World Cup, which is held annually.

The organization is currently undergoing a significant physical transition. For many years, the headquarters were located in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2023, the General Congress approved a plan to move the headquarters to Budapest, Hungary. The organization opened an interim office in November 2024. A full and complete transfer to the new center is expected by 2027. This move marks a new chapter in the long history of the federation as it continues to grow and evolve.