INTERNATIONAL LIFESAVING FEDERATIONTo:All ILS Full Member FederationsCc:

ILS President, ILS Secretary General, ILS Regional Presidents, ILS Board of Directors

From: John Martin MBE, ILS Event Director on behalf of the ILS Sport Commission
1 August 2023

SUBJECT: WORLD GAMES 2025 QUALIFICATION PROCESS
1) PURPOSE OF THIS CIRCULAR
Lifesaving Sport has been confirmed as one of the 33 sports that will be included in The World Games 2025
Chengdu (TWG 2025 Chengdu). This circular sets out the Qualifying Process that all nations will need tofollow in order to qualify their teams and individuals to participate in TWG 2025 Chengdu. Please note theaction to be taken as described in Section 62) INTRODUCTION
Since TWG 2022 in Birmingham, the ILS TWG International Federation passport has been increased from 100
to 120 athletes. The number of International Technical Officials permitted as also been increased from 8 to
13, plus 5 in the Competition Management team.
For TWG 2022, the traditional qualification procedure for lifesaving sport was changed to ensure that the best
can race against the best across 5 individual and 3 team events. Separate procedures for qualifying for the
men’s and women’s event were introduced, with an emphasis on getting the top 8 in the world racing against
each other in both the individual and team events.
This was a successful process and created significant interest among the ILS Member Federations, as well as
being welcomed by the International World Games Association (IWGA). The increased number of athletes for
TWG 2025 Chengdu reflects this policy to increase the possibility of more athletes to be included outside of
the normal team selections.
Additionally, and with the agreement of the IWGA, the events that will be contested in Chengdu have beenchanged. All races involving Obstacles – 200m Obstacle Swim and 4x50m Obstacle Relay – have been
replaced by existing events in the ILS World Championships programme. The 100m Rescue Medley and4x50m Pool Lifesaver Relay are now included in their place.
3) TWG 2025 CHENGDU LIFESAVING QUALIFICATION PROCESSThe ILS is adopting a similar process for lifesaving participants to qualify for TWG 2025 Chengdu as it did for
TWG 2022 Birmingham. However, while the 2022 Qualifying Series ran for 50 weeks, for TWG 2025 Chengdu

World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 1

the Qualifying Period will run for 18 months from 1 August 2023 to 31 January 2025. This has been approvedby the IWGA.
This will allow potential participants a longer period to establish their fastest times. It will allow for the ILS
Lifesaving World Championships in 2024 and Regional Lifesaving Championships in 2023 and 2024 to be
included in the ILS TWG 2025 Chengdu Qualifying Series as well as many other international and national
lifesaving championships.
All events to be included in the Qualifying Series must be sanctioned by the ILS (apart from the World andRegional Championships that will take place during the period) prior to it being included in the approved list of
Qualifying Events.
Each national federation or international competition organiser is invited to apply for their events to be includedin the official Qualifying Series. See below at Section 4 for the type of events that can be included in the
Qualifying Series, and Section 5 for the procedure for getting an event approved as a Qualifying Event.
In total five (5) individual medal events and three (3) relay medal events are organised in each gender:
Individual races
50 m Manikin Carry
100 m Manikin Carry with Fins
100 m Manikin Tow with Fins
100 m Rescue Medley
200 m Super Lifesaver

Team races (relays
4 x 25 m Manikin Relay
4 x 50 m Medley Relay
4 x 50 m Pool Lifesaver Relay

A. Selection of athletes for team events
1. Team qualification times for the 3 team events, that are submitted in accordance with the processdescribed below, will be ranked as if scored at an LWC.
2. The top 8 men’s teams from points gained in the 3 team events added together will qualify with 5
athletes each, who are the only athletes permitted to participate in the team events. If the hostnation (China) does not qualify in the top 8 teams, only the 7 best teams will qualify, and the 8thplace will be awarded to the host nation.
3. The top 8 women’s teams from points gained in 3 team events added together will qualify with 5
athletes each, who are the only athletes permitted to participate in the team events. If the hostnation (China) does not qualify in the top 8 teams, only the 7 best teams will qualify, and the 8thplace will be awarded to the host nation.
4. It follows that teams can use only a maximum of 5 men athletes and 5 women athletes in obtaining
the required qualification times.
5. A federation may submit times for more than 1 team of 5 competitors for both the men’s andwomen’s qualification. However, in the final selection, only their highest scoring team will beconsidered for selection.
6. The team selection process accounts for 80 athletes (40 men and 40 women) of the total quota of120.
B. Selection of athletes for individual events
The remaining 40 athletes will be selected by an independent and conflict-free ILS World Games
Selection Committee. They will ensure that the world’s best available ILS pool lifesaving athletescompete in the World Games. The selection criteria of athletes to compete in individual events will be
as follows:
1. Those athletes who submit the 8 fastest times (in accordance with the process described below)
in the five individual events who are:World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 2a) Selected by the nations in their qualified teams already – pre-selected in effect (it isanticipated that at least 75% of those in the qualifying teams will be in this category).
b) Not selected by a nation in their qualifying team.
c) From nations that have not got a qualified team.
2. If there are insufficient athletes identified through criteria 1), those who may be recognised as
standout performers, e.g. new world record holders since LWC 2022 on a wild card basis.
Important Notes:• This process means that not all participating nations may have an athlete in individual events.
• Athletes from the host nation will only qualify for an individual event if they meet the above criteria
in point B1.
• Furthermore, each nation is limited to a maximum of 2 athletes for each individual event in eachgender.
• In order to manage expectations and ensure that the best athletes only are selected, all times tobe achieved must meet the minimum standard time set out in the Appendix 2.
• If an athlete selected as part of the qualifying team is subsequently unable to attend the WorldGames through injury, they may be replaced by another individual from the nation, subject to theprior agreement of the ILS World Games Selection Committee. The replaced athlete cannot takeany part in the World Games.
4) EVENTS AT WHICH WORLD GAMES QUALIFICATION TIMES CAN BE ACHIEVED
There are a number of ways open to federations to qualify their athletes for TWG 2025 Chengdu. All events
where a qualifying time is to be achieved must be held in the period from 1 August 2023 to 31 January 2025.
The eligible events are:a) The ILS Lifesaving World Championships 2024. Times achieved at this event will be recognised
provided they equal or are inside the minimum standard time set out in Appendix 2b) Any ILS Regional Championships held during the qualifying period from 1 August 2023 to 31
January 2025. Times achieved at these events will be recognised provided they equal or are inside theminimum standard time set out in Appendix 2.
c) An existing international Pool Lifesaving competition. Times achieved at a recognised international
event, such as the German Cup, Spanish Cup, Orange Cup, Commonwealth Championships, etc, if they
are sanctioned by the ILS, can be submitted as a qualifying time, provided they are equal to or are inside
the minimum standard time set out in Appendix 2.
d) A federation’s National Championships: Times achieved at such an event, provided it is sanctioned by
the ILS, can be submitted as a qualifying time, provided they are equal to or are inside the minimum
standard time set out in Appendix 2.
Federations will be responsible for submitting valid qualifying times for their individuals and teams, including
those achieved at an international event outside their own nation. A process for submitting times direct to the
ILS World Games Qualifying Times Database will shortly be made available as described below in Section 6.
The federation should select their best 5 men and 5 women athletes for their national team that they would
select for the World Games to participate in all three of the options listed.
National Team Time Trials:
If a national federation has no opportunity to attend events in either option a), b) or c), they can use option d).
to achieve a national team qualification time. While a national team will not normally race in a federation’s
National Championships, it will be permitted for the federation to run a ‘National Team Time Trial’ at their
National Championships in the 3 relay events for their national teams and submit these times, if they are unable
to attend any other International or ILS Regional Championships. The federation should select their best 5
World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 3

men and 5 women athletes for their national team that they would select for the World Games to participate in
all three of the options listed.
A federation may, at their discretion, allow athletes from another country to compete in their national
competition. For example, a nation with athletes who would like to attempt to qualify for the World Games,
could request or be invited to attend a National Team Time trial being held at a national competition in anothercountry that is on the approved list of events in the Qualifying Series.
5) PROCESS TO GET A LIFESAVING COMPETITION SANCTIONED BY THE ILS
The process for a federation or organiser to register a competition or a trial event in the TWG 2025 Chengdu
Qualifying Series should follow the appropriate paragraph a), b) or c) below:a) Existing International Lifesaving Competition: For any event as defined in 4 c) above the normal
sanctioning process described in the official ILS Sanctioning Policy must still be followed:
https://www.ilsf.org/lifesaving-sport/rules/sanctioning/b) Federation’s National Championships: For any event as defined in 4 d) where the federation normallyapplies for sanctioning by the ILS, the official ILS Sanctioning Policy must still be followed.
c) At any other event where a specific national team trial will be run: If the event is not one that isnormally sanctioned by the ILS as in a) and b) above, an amended sanctioning process will apply:
i. An application for sanction to register an event/time trial to qualify athletes and/or teams for the WorldGames must be done at least 60 days before the event takes place. No retrospective applications will
be considered. Applicants must complete the attached form: Appendix 1.
ii. Anti-Doping: The event/time trial must comply in process and adhere to the ILS anti-doping policy.
This policy can be found on the ILS website: www.ilsf.org.
iii. Competition Rules: All qualifying events/time trials must be conducted in accordance with the rules(including pool, equipment, timing, event rules etc.) contained in the current edition of the “ILS
Competition Rule Book” and any amending bulletins. Other rules pertaining to the conduct of activities
associated with the competition (e.g. the establishment and conduct of a judicial system to be utilized
when required, during the competition (e.g. appeals committee, etc.) do not need to comply in termsof structure to the ILS Competition Rule Book but rather in purpose and intent.
iv. Change to Competition: Should the grounds upon which sanctioning was granted change at any timeprior to the competition, notification must be given to ILS, whereby the sanctioning will be immediately
reviewed. Should the review result in the competition not meeting sanctioning standards, ILS reserves
the right to advertise withdrawal of the event sanction.
v. Federations must comply with all rules and directions made by ILS in respect of the conduct of thiscompetition and all conditions conferred by ILS. Failure to comply with any of these rules, directions
or conditions entitles ILS to (amongst other things) withdraw approval for qualifying for the WorldGames.
d) The ILS Sport Commission may appoint a person to be present at and monitor the conduct of any of theevents that are defined in a), b) and c) above.
e) The ILS will shortly ask all federations to advise which events they intend to organise between 1 August2023 and 31 January 2025 under 4 c) or 4 d) for the purposes of obtaining qualifying times for TWG 2025
Chengdu. The details of these events have to be recorded in the IWGA Competition Management System
to confirm the ILS qualification process.
f) Qualifying Series Event results: As part of the Sanctioning process for events to be included in the TWG
2025 Chengdu Qualifying Series, the organisation responsible for hosting the competition must make theresults available to the ILS within 7 days of the conclusion of the event. While it is acknowledged thatevent results may be posted on the event website in a pdf format, the organiser must also provide them tothe ILS Event Director in an Excel file format for scrutiny. The results file must show all heat results andWorld Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 4

the final results and confirmation by the appointed Chief Referee that the events were run in fullaccordance with the current ILS Competition Rulebook.
6) PROCESS TO SUBMIT QUALIFYING TIMES TO THE ILS
Athletes’ and teams’ times to be submitted to ILS for World Games selection must meet the minimum qualifying
times as set out in Appendix 2. All times must be submitted by the National Federation of the individual andnational team with the all the relevant information required. The athletes will not be able to submit their own
times, it must be done by their National Federation.
Each National Federation will be granted a login access to the ILS World Games Qualifying Times Database,which is being established (and will be available on the ILS Website shortly), for a nominated individual fromtheir federation to be responsible for entering the information into the database. Only that nominated person
will be permitted to access the database. The details of how to create an account, login, and enter achieved
times will be communicated in a separate note to be sent to every National Federation in the coming days.
Once the information has been input to the Database and verified, the results will display on the ILS Website.
The current top 10 times will be visible with an option to view all of the times submitted.
The National Federation can enter as many achieved times for a competitor or a team as they wish in each
event. It is inevitable that, for those who are serious competitors with a desire to represent their country at
TWG 2025 Chengdu, their achieved times will likely improve during the 18 months of the Qualifying Period. It
is therefore clear that the faster times will be uploaded as the Qualifying Series progresses.
Action required: If your federation wishes to include any of your athletes or national team in the TWG
2025 Chengdu Qualifying process, please send the name and e-mail address of the person in yourfederation who will be responsible for entering achieved times to the ILS Event Director, John Martin
MBE at j.martin@ilsf.org An invitation for them to login, create an account and explanation of theprocedures will then be sent to them.
7) NOMINATION OF THE 120 ATHLETES TO PARTICIPATE AT TWG 2025 CHENGDU
After the closing date of submission of the qualifying times (31 January 2025) the ILS World Games Selection
Committee will select the best teams and individuals to ensure that the world’s best available ILS pool lifesaving
athletes compete at the TWG 2025 Chengdu.
It is expected that the qualifying teams and athletes will be announced by 14 February 2025. National
Federations must confirm to the ILS by 14 March 2025 that they accept the places allocated to their members
and will attend TWG 2025 Chengdu.
If you have any questions with the content of this circular, please address them to John Martin MBE,
the ILS Event Director and Competition Manager of the Lifesaving Events at TWG 2025 Chengdu:
j.martin@ilsf.org
Sent on behalf of the ILS Sport Commission

John Martin MBE
ILS Event Director
Competition Manager of the Lifesaving Events at TWG 2025 Chengdu
World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 5

APPENDIX 1

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATION
Gemeenteplein 26 - 3010 Leuven - Belgium
Tel: +32/ (0)16 896060
ils.hq@telenet.be www.ilsf.org
SANCTIONING APPLICATION FOR WORLD GAMES QUALIFYING TRIAL AND FACILITY AND
EQUIPMENT INSPECTION REPORT
Reference: current ILS Competition Rule Book, Section 8: Facility and Equipment Standards andScrutineering Procedures.
To be filled in and submitted by email, by the National Federation at least 60 days prior to the trial to the ILS
Event Director at j.martin@ilsf.org.
COMPETITION HOST
Host Organisation/Member: ___________________________________________________
Address: street & number: ____________________________________________________
Zip & City/Country: __________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________Email: ____________________________
Host Contact: ______________________________________________________________
Position/Title: ______________________________________________________________
Meet Manager: _____________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________Email: _____________________________
Meet Chief Referee: _________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________Email: _____________________________
FACILITY
Date of Inspection: __________________________________________________________The Facility and Equipment complies with the specifications indicated in the ILS Competition Rule Book.
Meet Manager’s name: _______________________________________________________
Meet Manager’s signature: ____________________________________________________
Facility Features (include copy of certified surveyor if available):
Name of Pool Facility: ________________________________________________________
Deck or overhead Obstructions (describe): _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Deck fittings (location from deep-end wall i.e. false start): ______________________________________________________________________________________________________Starting platforms style: ____________________ Height of platform above water: ________
Lane ropes style: _____________________________________________________________
World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 6

Bulkhead width: ______________________________________________________________
Water Temperature: _________ Warm up / cool down pool availability: ___________________
Electronic timing system brand: single ended □, double ended □,____________________________________________________________________________EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE (Meet Manger verifies compliance):
Manikins

Brand: ___________________ Initial: __________

Rescue Tubes Brand: ___________________ Initial: __________

Pool Tank Measurements in meters:
Length: __________ Width: _________ # of Lanes: __________ Width of lanes: _________
Width from outside wall to lane: __________ Gutter style: ___________________________
POOL DEPTHS – all depths are measured in meters, from the deep end wall
Dive Start:
0.0m __________ 1.0m _________ 6.0m _________ and/or 44.0m __________
48.0m __________ 49.0m __________ 50.0m __________ Minimum depth 1.35m.

Manikin Carry* -  50m, Initial: __________
24.0m ________ 26.0m ________ Minimum depth is 1.8m.

Rescue Medley* -  100m, Initial: __________
16.5m ______ 18.5m ______ and/or 31.5m_______33.5m ______ Minimum depth is 1.8m.

Manikin Carry with Fins* –  100m, Initial: __________
2.0m __________ and/or 48.0m __________ Minimum depth is 1.8m.

World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 7

Manikin Tow with Fins* –  100m, Initial: __________
2.0m __________ and/or 48.0m __________ Minimum depth is 1.8m.

Super Lifesaver* – 200m, Initial: __________
2.0m ______ 24.0m ______ and/or 26.0m_______ 48.0m_______ Minimum depth is 1.8m.

Manikin Relay –  4 x 25m, Initial: __________
0.0m________ 1.0m_ ______ 2.0m_______ 23.0m _______25.0m ______ 27.0m ________ and/or 48.0m__________ 49.0m __________ 50.0m __________ Minimum depth is 1.0m at the start wall and 1.8m in the
middle and the turning wall.

Pool Lifesaver Relay* –  4 x 50m, Initial : __________
10.5m ________ 12.5m ________ 14.5m ________25.5m________ 37.5m_________
39.5m __________ Minimum depth is 1.8m.

Lifesaving Medley* –  4 x 50m, Initial: __________
0.0m ________ 1.0m ________ 2.0m ________6.0m ________ and/or 44.0m _________
48.0m ________ 49.0m ________ 50.0m ________ Minimum depth 1.35m at the starting wall and 1.8m at
the turning wall.
Note* - Events beginning with a dive start are required to adhere to those depths indicated for divestarts.

SANCTIONING AND APPLICATION FOR A WORLD GAMES QUALIFYING TRIAL REQUEST BY
HOST ORGANISER

We have read the ILS Sanctioning Guidelines and Application for a World Games Qualifying Trial andagree to comply to and abide by all conditions stated in the Competition Sanctioning Guidelines.

Printed Name: ............................................................................ Telephone: ..........................................
Date: .......................................................................................... E-mail: .................................................

World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 8

SANCTIONING FOR WORLD GAMES QUALIFYING TRIAL BY NATIONAL FEDERATION

We have analysed the Sanctioning of the World Games Trial Application Form and all related andnecessary documents and confirm that they comply with the ILS Competition Sanctioning Guidelines.

Name of National Federation: ...................................................................................................................
Printed Name: ............................................................................ Telephone: ...........................................
Date: .......................................................................................... E-mail: ..................................................

SANCTIONING FOR WORLD GAMES QUALIFYING TRIAL APPROVED AND NOTED BY ILSILS Sports Commission Chairman
ILS Designate……………………………………………………………………………………

Date………………………………….
CONDITIONS APPLIED - IF ANY (example: need for site visit, the actual events to be covered by
the sanction detailed in the section – COMPETITION DETAILS)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations - Page 9

APPENDIX 2
Minimum Qualifying Times

WG 2025 Qualifying Times - Individual WR + 12.5%

Open

Age

Event

Open

50m Manikin Carry

Open

100m Rescue Medley

Open

100m Manikin Carry with Fins

Open

100m Manikin Tow with Fins

Open

200m Super Lifesaver

WG 2025 Qualifying Times - Team - WR + 15%

Open

Age

Event

Open

4x50m Pool Lifesaver RelayOpen

4 x 25 m Manikin RelayOpen

4 x 50 m Medley Relay

Women
Current
WG
World
Qualifying
RecordTimes
00:36.78
00:32.69
01:15.25
01:06.89
00:55.46
00:49.30
01:02.33
00:55.40
02:33.08
02:16.07
Women
Current
WG
World
Qualifying
RecordTimes
02:02.08
01:46.16
01:28.42
01:16.89
01:50.25
01:35.87

Men
Current
World
Record00:27.27
00:57.66
00:44.04
00:49.02
02:02.98

WG
Qualifying
Times
00:30.68
01:04.87
00:49.55
00:55.15
02:18.35

Men
Current
World
Record
01:46.16
01:04.04
01:26.19

WG
Qualifying
Times
02:02.08
01:13.65
01:39.12

World Records as at 01/07/2023
Qualifying for TWG 2025 will be open from 01/08/2023 until 31/01/2025

World Games Qualification Process: Notice to federations
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