Image: Tsutomu Kishimoto/World Aquatics

Marking Safe Sport Day 2026, the international federation has launched new safeguarding resources through the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU), providing practical guidance and educational materials for Member Federations, athletes and support personnel.

The development represents an important shift from safeguarding policies towards implementation, education and shared responsibility – increasingly important measures of how effectively sports organisations embed purpose within their governance and operations.

Mandatory education from 2027

From 1 January 2027, all registered athletes and team officials participating in World Aquatics competitions will be required to complete the Safeguarding Essentials eLearning course, or another AQIU-recognised safeguarding course.

Significantly, the requirement extends beyond athletes and coaches to include team leaders, medical professionals, physiotherapists, support staff and media liaisons – recognising that creating safe sporting environments depends upon the wider ecosystem surrounding athletes.

“Safe Sport Day reminds us that creating safe sporting environments requires action from everyone,” said an AQIU spokesperson. “By introducing mandatory safeguarding education for all registered Athletes and Team Officials from 2027, we are taking another important step towards ensuring everyone can train and compete safely.”

The accompanying resources also provide Member Federations with guidance covering integrity, safeguarding and good governance, helping to establish greater consistency across the global aquatics community.

Purpose beyond the pool

The safeguarding announcement comes alongside another example of World Aquatics seeking to connect its sport with wider social and environmental outcomes.

The World Aquatics Foundation has presented its inaugural Environmental Award to the City of Paris, recognising the transformation of the River Seine and the more than €1.6 billion invested in improving water quality, infrastructure and the river ecosystem.

The legacy extends beyond major events. World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games had helped create the conditions for more than 100,000 people a year to swim in three pools along the Seine.

Meanwhile, the $25,000 grant accompanying the environmental award will support the “1, 2, 3… Nagez!” programme, which works with six Parisian swimming clubs to provide free lessons for children and adults during school holidays.

Measuring purpose and impact

Together, the initiatives demonstrate the increasingly broad responsibilities of international sports federations – from protecting athletes and strengthening governance to participation, water safety and environmental stewardship.

World Aquatics currently sits 118th in the GSS SPI Index, achieving a C – Purpose Starter rating and a place on the GSS Purpose Podiums.

The latest safeguarding measures are particularly significant because they move beyond awareness towards tangible activity: establishing requirements, providing education and creating greater accountability throughout the sport.

The longer-term challenge will be demonstrating impact – measuring whether these interventions genuinely create safer environments across aquatics worldwide. That transition from commitment to measurable outcomes will ultimately determine how far World Aquatics progresses on its sustainability, purpose and impact journey.