World Aquatics

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.