Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
World Aquatics has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding in aquatic sports by introducing new mandatory education requirements for the 2027 competition season. This initiative is part of the global Safe Sport Day, observed on 8 August to promote safety and protection in sport.
According to the announcement, from 1 January 2027, all registered Athletes and Team Officials participating in World Aquatics competitions must complete the Safeguarding Essentials (Course 1) eLearning course or a course recognized by the Aquatic Integrity and Safeguarding Unit (AQIU) before taking part.
The Team Officials category includes a wide range of support roles, such as Coaches, Head Coaches, Chefs de Mission, Team Leaders, Support Staff, Doctors, Medical Professionals, Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Media Liaisons, reflecting the broad scope of the education requirement.
In addition to making these courses compulsory, World Aquatics provides safeguarding guides, templates, and educational materials to member federations, aiming to promote best practices and strengthen safeguarding organization-wide.
An AQIU spokesperson stated that the compulsory training represents a significant step forward in ensuring safe sporting environments, emphasizing the collective responsibility of everyone involved in aquatic sports to prevent harm and maintain integrity both on and off the field of play.