The Rules of Passion – Swimming Officiating
What Are the Qualities of a Good Swimming Official?
Who can become an official in swimming disciplines, and how should one prepare formally, organizationally, etc.? What personal qualities should officials possess?
Anyone can become a swimming referee. You just need to be at least 16 years old and pass an exam before the Presidium of the Referees’ College of the Regional Swimming Association. The best way to stay informed is by following the websites or Facebook pages of regional associations, where recruitment announcements are posted.
One hallmark of a good referee is... the ability not to stand out. During competitions, we serve as guardians of the rules, striving to perform our work as discreetly and objectively as possible. This ensures spectators enjoy the best possible event, athletes compete under fair and optimal conditions, and the competition runs smoothly for everyone involved.
A referee should be honest and fair, which might seem obvious but isn’t always easy. Confidence and assertiveness are also key, enabling quick and decisive judgments. Sharp observation skills and reflexes allow us to spot specific behaviors and respond appropriately. These decisions often require courage, as they can nullify months of athlete preparation and significantly affect medal standings or point rankings.
Although interaction with athletes during events is minimal, a referee must still be polite, respectful, and engaged.
A good official must thoroughly understand the rules and know how to apply them. Referees also train—not only mentally by analyzing rules and case studies, but also by practicing procedures such as start sequences, reflex exercises, communication, and whistle signaling. At higher officiating levels, leadership skills become important for motivating teams, as well as multitasking abilities to coordinate with various stakeholders within tight timeframes.
Many of these qualities aren’t visible during competitions, leading to occasional comparisons of the chief referee to a conductor who "just waves a baton" or a pilot who "just steers a stick."
Differences in Officiating
How does officiating differ between pool swimming, open water swimming, and winter swimming?
The differences are significant. Pool swimming is characterized by precision and strict adherence to regulations. Open water swimming, on the other hand, involves contending with weather conditions, ensuring safety, and maintaining communication in outdoor settings. Winter/ice swimming entails working in extreme conditions, requiring particular focus and experience.
Officiating in winter conditions, regardless of the weather, can be very demanding. All these disciplines—except for the icy temperatures—share similarities with lifesaving sports officiating, which is highly dynamic, technically complex, unpredictable, and very engaging to watch.
Unfortunately, lifesaving sports are still not very popular in Poland. Personally, I enjoy every type of officiating. It’s hard to compare hours of stopwatch-clicking at a pool to observing dynamic, often team-based competition on a beach.
Recently, I’ve found increasing satisfaction in creating optimal regulations by combining best practices from various disciplines. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience to continue officiating for as long as possible. This is especially important as some officiating roles are gradually disappearing due to automation.
Is Officiating a Job or a Passion?
Is officiating more of a job or a passion? What does officiating bring to your life?
It’s a passion that I approach professionally. I always strive to prepare meticulously for each competition. Every project is treated individually, with full commitment. You can’t earn a living as a swimming official. There isn’t even a term like "salary"; instead, it’s called an "officiating allowance," which has to cover your attire and travel expenses to the event.
In Western countries, officiating within sports federations is often done voluntarily. Commercial events, however, are a different story—here, fees should reflect market rates, and in many cases, they are higher than in Poland.
For me, officiating is primarily about people, responsibility, and satisfaction. It’s about the team you work with to provide the best possible conditions for athletes. When everyone collaborates efficiently and harmoniously, the result is a sense of fair and well-executed work.
It’s also about being part of the sport—meeting and admiring athletes. Officiating offers opportunities to connect with amazing people, build friendships, and develop relationships.
Collaboration Between Officials and Athletes
What does good collaboration between athletes and officials during competitions look like?
Good collaboration happens when both athletes and officials know and understand the rules. A simple conversation is often enough. Before or after the competition, or even during a break, athletes are welcome to ask me about any sports-related issues. If I know the answer, I’ll share it; if not, I’ll direct them to where they can find it.
However, during the competition, it’s too late for collaboration between athletes and officials. During the event, athletes are focused on giving their best, while we ensure that everyone competes under the same rules. Personally, I follow the principle that during competitions, "I have no friends."
I have no problem disqualifying a close acquaintance or, as I did during the World Championships, a finalist in a major event. An official should be a partner to the athlete, but only up to the moment of the starting whistle.
The Future of Officiating
What is your vision for the future of officiating?
The pinnacle of an official’s career is participating in officiating at the Olympic Games. Personally, I feel like I’m just getting started. My focus is on promoting the principles of fair play, comprehensive and accessible training, and, most importantly, fostering a broad understanding of why equality and fairness are vital not just in sports but in all aspects of life.
I also aim to spread the principles of fair play within officiating communities. I want to optimize the work of officials and solidify respect for the role through high-quality and ethical practices.
I’m well aware of the inevitable rise of automation in officiating. With the introduction of video systems, the accuracy of officiating will significantly improve—currently, many errors go unnoticed, and human interpretation of rules or facts can be unreliable.
We’re only human referees. Despite the challenges of officiating, it’s the most beautiful passion I’ve ever found.
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Interview by: Maciej Mazerant / Editor-in-Chief of AQUA SPEED magazine
Photos courtesy of Wojtek Kosiedowski | Private Archive
