Search
shop

World Triathlon bans long nails, jewellery and watches in major rules changes to make swims safer

Stricter rules governing the swim to be introduced this month by the sport's governing body
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

World Triathlon is banning long nails, jewellery and watches from the swim section of its events as part of a series of updates to competition rules for 2025.

The update, which will come into force on February 27, was approved by the Executive Board after a comprehensive review led by the Technical Committee and the World Triathlon Sports Department.

Advertisement

Feedback from athletes

Athletes, local organising committees (LOCs), national federations, continental confederations and various committees all had their say in the review, and reports from Technical Delegates (TDs) were also taken into account.

In the Swim Behaviour section of the update, World Triathlon says that “to avoid injuries”, fingernails and toenails will need to be short in order for the athlete to be authorised to start. It also states that watches are forbidden “in principle”. The Head Referee though ‘may’ authorise the wearing of watches

World Triathlon also states that the above two updates will ONLY apply to Elite, U23 and Junior races over standard distance or shorter. So it appears things will continue as was for Age Group racing.

One change which appears to be coming into force for all races is that around jewellery. No longer will discretion be applied around whether items are deemed to be a hazard – instead now there is a blanket ban.

World Triathlon is also making potential sanctions stronger for athletes who transgress during the swim, with the warning that “Where athletes dunk, punch, scratch, or kick another athlete will result in disqualification and may be reported to the World Triathlon Tribunal for potential suspension or expulsion”.

Paris Olympics 2024 men swim start River Seine photo credit World Triathlon
World Triathlon swims are about to undergo a series of rule changes [Photo credit: World Triathlon]

In another update to the rules governing the swim, World Triathlon has decided that athletes “are not allowed to push an inanimate object to propel themselves forward.”

In a statement, the body said: “We have received feedback on the restrictions of wearing jewellery during the competitions. As it came from the athletes and for the safety of the athletes mainly during the swim, we would like to ensure that the interpretation of such rule will be clarified with further inputs from the Athletes Committee.”

More World Triathlon rule changes

These are just some of a number of changes announced by the sport. Another major change involves what is deemed acceptable water quality for races.

One of the other headline changes saw acceptable water quality standards relaxed, while revised drafting penalties and updates to the sport’s transgender athlete policy and mixed relay regulations are also being brought in.

Drafting penalties have been revised and reduced across various race distances to reflect a “more balanced approach to competition integrity”.

The Mixed Relay lineup has also been altered with a return to the format hosted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The sequence of competitors now must be woman-man-woman-man.

Paul Brown
Written by
Paul Brown
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...