From 2015 to 2022 when the World Aquatics was still known as FINA (; International Swimming Federation), neutral athletes have competed under the designation Independent FINA Athlete (IFA) either due to their national federation's suspension of their governing body or as refugees.
Refugees have competed under the designation Athlete Refugee Team (ART) under the World Aquatics banner at the World Championships since 2023.
2015 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2015 World Aquatics Championships, Sri Lanka's national federation was suspended from recognition and therefore not allowed to be represented at the championships. Consequently, athletes from Sri Lanka swam under a "FINA" banner at the championships as independent athletes. The 2015 World Championships were 24 July to 9 August 2015 in Kazan, Russia.
Four swimmers from Sri Lanka competed in nine different events, including two medley races.
Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankMatthew Abeysinghe100 m freestyle50.9354Did not advanceCherantha de Silva50 m freestyle24.3264Did not advance100 m butterfly57.7960Did not advance
Women AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankKimiko Raheem100 m backstroke1:05.6149Did not advance200 m backstroke2:21.1841Did not advanceMachiko Raheem50 m freestyle27.4963Did not advance100 m freestyle59.5064Did not advance
Mixed AthleteEventHeatFinalTimeRankTimeRankMatthew AbeysingheMachiko RaheemCherantha de SilvaKimiko Raheem4 × 100 m freestyle relay3:42.9417Did not advanceKimiko RaheemMachiko RaheemMatthew AbeysingheCherantha de Silva4 × 100 m medley relay4:19.2422Did not advance
2017 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, FINA allowed refugees to participate under the FINA banner as independent athletes. The competition took place in Budapest, Hungary from 14 July to 30 July. The two swimmers partook in two events each.
AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankRami AnisMen's 100 m butterfly55.66 58Did not advanceMen's 200 m butterfly2:06.0240Did not advanceYusra MardiniWomen's 200 m freestyle2:15.8047Did not advanceWomen's 100 m butterfly1:07.9941Did not advance
2019 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships, FINA allowed refugees to participate under the FINA banner as independent athletes. The competition took place in Gwangju, South Korea from 12 to 28 July. The two swimmers partook in two events each.
Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankRami Anis50 m butterfly26.2468Did not advance100 m butterfly57.2660Did not advance
Women AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankYusra Mardini100 m freestyle1:01.7573Did not advance100 m butterfly1:08.7947Did not advance
2022 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, FINA allowed refugees to participate under the FINA banner as independent athletes. The competition took place in Budapest, Hungary from 18 June to 3 July. The three swimmers partook in two events each.
Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankAlaa Maso50 m freestyleDid not startDid not advance100 m freestyle52.4566Did not advanceEyad Masoud50 m butterfly25.2753Did not advance100 m butterfly59.7858Did not advance Women AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankYusra Mardini50 m freestyle28.9565Did not advance50 m butterfly30.0850Did not advance 2023 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics allowed refugees to participate under the World Aquatics banner as independent athletes (code:ART). The competition took place in Fukuoka, Japan from 14 to 30 July. The two swimmers partook in two events each.
Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRank Alaa Maso 50 metre freestyle 23.74 67 Did not advance 100 metre freestyle 51.76 68 Did not advance Eyad Masoud 50 metre butterfly25.7364 Did not advance 100 metre butterfly 58.91 64 Did not advance
2024 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics allowed refugees to participate under the World Aquatics banner as independent athletes (code:ART). The competition took place in Doha, Qatar from 2 to 18 February. The two swimmers partook in two events each.
Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRank Alaa Maso 50 metre freestyle 23.73 55 Did not advance 100 metre freestyle 52.05 60 Did not advance Eyad Masoud 50 metre butterfly25.3842 Did not advance 100 metre butterfly 58.61 55 Did not advance
2025 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics allowed refugees to participate under the World Aquatics banner as independent athletes (code:ART). The competition took place in Singapore from 11 July to 3 August. The three swimmers partook in five events.
Men AthleteEventHeatSemifinalFinalTimeRankTimeRankTimeRankAlaa Maso50 m freestyleDNSDid not advanceMatin Balsini100 m freestyle53.6275Did not advance50 m butterfly25.69=70Did not advanceMohamad Eyad Masoud50 m breaststroke30.5468Did not advance100 m butterfly59.0171Did not advance
See also Suspended Member Federation at the World Aquatics Championships
References