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Acknowledging that sport has the power to bring people together, to break down barriers and create positive social change, World Aquatics has celebrated its input to International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP).

Celebrated around the world on 6th April, IDSDP highlights the role of sport in building inclusive and united communities and this year had the theme ‘Levelling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion’.

Committed to ensuring aquatic sports are accessible to all, World Aquatics acknowledged that this year’s theme ties in closely with the international federation’s commitment to ensuring everyone can access and benefit from aquatic sports around the world.

World Aquatics explained “at World Aquatics, we believe aquatic sports are for everyone.

“However, we understand that access to safe swimming facilities and training opportunities can vary across different regions. To bridge this gap, we are actively investing in infrastructure, education and grassroots programs to ensure more people can experience the benefits of aquatic sports.

“One of our main initiatives is the Pools for All program, which aims to provide National Federations with pools to support the growth of the sport. A key milestone was achieved in 2024 with the opening of Bhutan’s first-ever competition swimming pool in Thimphu. Situated at an altitude of 2,400 metres, it is officially the highest competition-size swimming pool in the world.

“This historic project, made possible through a strong partnership between World Aquatics and the Bhutan Aquatics Federation, is a major milestone for the country’s swimming program, offering aspiring swimmers a dedicated space to train, compete and enjoy the sport. A similar project is under construction in the Maldives, and more are expected to be announced in the coming months.”

World Aquatics also advised of its strong focus on water safety education, advising that “in July 2024, we launched Discover Water on World Drowning Prevention Day during the Paris 2024 Olympics, an initiative aimed at equipping children aged 6 to 12 with essential water safety skills through a physical literacy approach.

“However, its impact extends beyond this age group, as its educational tools and resources can benefit people of all ages. We are aiming to work with all of our 210 National Federations to ensure this programme reaches as many communities as possible, particularly those where water safety education is limited.

“At the end of April, for example, training through Discover Water will begin in Malawi, and in the coming years we plan to expand the programme to create opportunities for children around the world to discover all aquatic sports.

“Through our investment into these initiatives, we are breaking down access barriers and ensuring that aquatic sports remain open and inclusive for all.”

Looking back at 2024, World Aquatics added “the past year was one of significant progress for World Aquatics. In 2024, we allocated US$4.5 million to support the development and global expansion of the sport. This funding supported projects in 169 countries, benefiting over 395,000 athletes and demonstrating our commitment to long-term, sustainable growth.”

An opportunity to showcase the role of sport to drive social change, International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is marked around the world on 6th April.

Click here for more information on International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

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