Get Ready for the World Games in Chengdu
Spotlight on Finswimming!
The countdown is almost over! In just a few days, the world's best finswimmers will take the stage in Chengdu, China, for the 12th edition of the World Games, set to take place from 8 to 17 August 2025. For our sport, the spotlight shines on 10 and 11 August.
This marks a new chapter in the history of finswimming, a discipline that has been part of the World Games since their inaugural edition in 1981. Over the years, it has offered unforgettable performances, historic medal sweeps, and razor-thin finishes. And in Chengdu, we're expecting more of the same: speed, precision, and elite-level drama.
A Season of Selection
The road to Chengdu has been paved with excellence. Athletes were selected based on their performance across the 2023–2024 international season, with time-based rankings from events such as the CMAS World Cups, the Golden Final in Lignano Sabbiadoro, and the 2024 World Championships.
A key qualifying milestone came in March 2025, with the World Games Series test event in Chengdu. This high-stakes competition served as the final opportunity for finswimmers to secure their places at the Games—and several did just that with standout performances.
Final validation of entries was made by the CMAS Finswimming Commission and the CMAS Board of Directors, ensuring a lineup of the very best.
What Awaits in Chengdu
Sixteen events will be contested in Chengdu, evenly split between men and women, including the signature sprints in Apnea (50 m), Bi-fins (50 m & 100 m), Surface (100 m, 200 m & 400 m), and the electrifying 4×50 SF and 4×100 SF. Each event will feature the eight fastest swimmers globally.
This is where legacy is written. And some names already stand out!
Finswimming at the World Games, Some Fun Facts
Let's dive into some fascinating trivia about finswimming in World Games history:
Most Decorated Athlete: The legendary Jurgen Kolenda of Germany holds the record with 11 gold medals, all earned during the 1981 and 1985 editions.
Top Country: Russia (including USSR-era medals) leads the all-time rankings with 99 medals, followed by China (61) and Italy (56). However, when counting only golds, Germany secures third place.
A French Sweep: In 1981, a historic moment occurred when the podium for one finswimming event was entirely French – three French women took gold, silver, and bronze. It remains the only time a single nation has claimed all three spots on a World Games podium.
Croatia's Breakthrough: At the 2022 edition, Croatia won its first-ever medals in World Games history – two silvers in finswimming!
A Perfect Tie: In 2009, two swimmers finished with the exact same time, sharing the podium – a rare and thrilling result in competitive swimming.
A New Chapter Begins
The stage is set, the lanes are clear, and anticipation is building. Records will be challenged, legends will be made, and new stars will rise. For finswimming, Chengdu 2025 is more than a competition: it's a celebration of speed, determination, and the global spirit of our sport.
by Camille HEITZ,
CMAS Finswimming Commission Member
