World Aquatics Artistic Swimming Technical Committee chair Lisa Schott has confirmed that further rule changes are on the way for artistic swimming as the sport builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with adjustments to free routines and their duration expected to be announced imminently. Schott made the disclosure on the sidelines of the World Aquatics Junior Artistic Swimming Championships, held in Budapest from 12 to 16 August.

Key Rule Changes on the Horizon

'In the new rule changes coming out very, very shortly, you will see some changes in the free routines and their length,' Schott said, describing her remarks as a 'little secret tip.' The specifics are yet to be formally announced, but the changes form part of a broader effort to evolve the sport ahead of its Olympic showcase at LA28.

Schott also noted that the scoring system has already made competition more unpredictable. 'It's unpredictable. We don't know who's going to win,' she said. 'It gives hope for every athlete, every team that they do have the possibility.' She cautioned, however, that coaches and athletes must make realistic decisions about difficulty levels, warning against repeatedly targeting elements beyond their capability — a scenario she jokingly termed a 'base mark party.'

Budapest Junior Worlds: A Record-Breaking Edition

Schott described the Budapest championships as 'the largest Junior Worlds in the history of the sport,' with nearly 300 athletes from 35 federations competing, including new federations making their debut at the event. 'The sport continues to grow in depth and talent,' she said, adding that a crop of highly skilled junior athletes had emerged from the competition.

She was also careful not to place limits on younger competitors. 'I don't like to put limits on any athlete, because junior or senior, they all have their different level of skill sets,' Schott said, noting that some junior swimmers are already performing at an elite level.

Road to Budapest 2027 and LA28

Budapest is set to host the World Aquatics Championships again in 2027, when Olympic qualification spots for LA28 will be on the line. Schott indicated that several athletes competing at this year's Junior Worlds could graduate to their senior national teams as early as next year. 'Competing at a world level is a journey,' she said. 'Each competition you learn something from and continue to develop.'

Looking further ahead, Schott said the sport is in a strong position. 'I think we're in a great position. The sport will continue to evolve,' she said, adding that World Aquatics intends to incorporate more technology into artistic swimming going forward.

Rise of Male Athletes in the Sport

One of the standout features of the Budapest championships was the growing participation of male athletes. 'We have never had as many males in the sport as we have seen demonstrated here,' Schott said. Several teams fielded male athletes in team events, with some lineups including as many as two men.

'The men, the boys, bring a different vibe to the sport, which is great,' she said. 'We love the male swimmers in the team. It brings good synergy to the team, a new dynamic, and it shows that the sport is inclusive of all genders.' Schott expects the trend to accelerate as male athletes at the junior level continue to develop. 'Stay tuned for more males in the sport,' she said.

With rule changes imminent, a landmark junior edition behind it, and the LA28 Olympics on the horizon, artistic swimming appears to be entering one of its most consequential periods of transformation.