Inside the LA28 Swimming Qualification System: How Athletes Will Earn Their Olympic Spots

World Aquatics has released the updated Swimming Qualification System for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, outlining a detailed and data-driven pathway for athletes and federations.

The document, updated as of 10 December 2025, confirms 41 medal events 20 for men, 20 for women, and one mixed relay while integrating six new 50m sprint events for the first time. With a total quota capped at 830 swimmers, the system balances elite performance, universality, and relay depth. Here is a breakdown of how swimmers will qualify for LA28.

A Two-Tier Time Standard: A and B Entry Marks

Qualification for most individual events revolves around the A Entry Standard and B Entry Standard. The A Standard provides direct qualification, while the B Standard provides a potential invitation depending on remaining quota slots. World Aquatics has set these times using historical Olympic and World Championship data, applying a uniform 1% differential to derive B Standards. For example, the men’s 100m freestyle A Standard is 47.86, with the B Standard at 48.34. For women, the 200m freestyle requires 1:56.43 for A qualification. These targets apply from 1 March 2027 to 18 June 2028, across approved qualification meets.

Swimmers achieving the A Standard automatically qualify for that specific event, but may also enter additional events in which they have at least the B Standard respecting the maximum of two athletes per nation per event.

New Events Bring Direct Qualification Through the 2027 World Cup

For LA28, swimming introduces six new 50m stroke events: 50m backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly for both men and women. These events carry a unique qualification route.

At each stop of the World Cup 2027, the top six finishers in these new events will receive a direct Olympic quota place. If there is a tie for sixth, all tied swimmers advance. Qualification offers will be communicated by 1 December 2027, with NOCs required to confirm by 1 February 2028. 

If an NOC declines or does not respond, remaining places are reallocated based first on world ranking during the qualification period, then on seventh- and eighth-place finishes at World Cup finals without exceeding the two-athlete-per-event maximum. Athletes already qualified in any event may enter a new event if they meet the Minimum Time Standard, also listed in the system (e.g., men’s 50m fly: 23.55). 

Relay Qualification: Budapest 2027 Takes Center Stage

Relay qualification is straightforward and performance-based. At Budapest 2027, the top 12 relay teams in each event’s heats will secure Olympic entry. In case of a tie for 12th, all tied teams qualify with no swim-off. 

Once a relay team qualifies, the quota place belongs to the NOC, not individual swimmers.

Relay-qualified nations can also bring Additional Relay Competitors, with the number based on how many relays they enter. For example:

• 1 relay qualified → up to 2 additional athletes
• 4 relays qualified → up to 6 additional athletes
• 6–7 relays qualified → up to 8 additional relay specialists

These swimmers must swim at least one relay heat or final; otherwise, the last eligible relay will be disqualified unless a medical exemption is confirmed.  NOCs without a relay qualification may still enter a relay if they have enough individually qualified swimmers to form a team, notifying World Aquatics by 24 June 2028.

Universality Places: Ensuring Global Representation

Universality remains a core Olympic principle, allowing countries without A- or B-standard qualifiers to enter up to one male and one female swimmer. Eligibility depends on:

• No A or B qualifiers and no relay teams
• Athlete participation in major 2027–28 competitions (Budapest, continental meets, World Cup, etc.)
• Age under 30 as of 22 July 2028
• The athlete being the highest-scoring swimmer on the World Aquatics Points Table within the NOC  

Applications close on 11 June 2028, with World Aquatics confirming places by 20 June 2028. Universality swimmers may enter one event (or two in specific B-standard cases), including new events even without meeting the Minimum Time Standard.

B Standard Invitations: Filling the Remaining Quota

If, after allocating A qualifiers, relay competitors, and universality swimmers, the quota is still unfilled, World Aquatics will invite B-standard swimmers based on the Modified World Ranking. This ranking considers each athlete’s fastest time between 1 March 2027 and 18 June 2028, counting only two swimmers per NOC per event. 

Depending on how many spots remain:

• If 28 or more places are open, one swimmer per event may be invited.
• If 27 or fewer remain, the highest-ranked athletes across events are chosen.

A detailed set of tie-breakers covers scenarios including identical times, ratios to A standards and world records, and secondary-event performance. Invitations will be issued 20–24 June 2028, with NOCs required to accept or decline promptly. 

Key Deadlines to Watch

Some major milestones from the timeline include:

• 1 March 2027 – Qualification period begins
• October 2027 – World Cup for new events
• 1 December 2027 – New event qualifiers announced
• 18 June 2028 – Qualification period ends
• 24 June 2028 – Final relay entry notifications
• 26 June 2028 – LA28 sport entries deadline

The swimming programme will run 22–30 July 2028. 

The LA28 qualification system brings unprecedented clarity, tighter performance benchmarks, and an expanded event portfolio. With its blend of merit-based standards, global inclusivity, and a strong emphasis on fair reallocation, the roadmap ensures that the world’s best swimmers and emerging nations will find their rightful place on the Olympic stage.

Minimum Time Standards for New Events (for already qualified athletes)

Men’s Minimum Standards

Women’s Minimum Standards