This past summer lined up the 12 nations in each relay who are locked in to 2020 Olympic relay berths, but it also set up the front-runners for the 4 remaining at-large bids.
Here’s a look at the qualifying process:
Qualifying Criteria
- The top 12 teams from the heats of each relay at the 2019 World Championships automatically qualify for the Olympics. This means if a team is top 12 in prelims, but DQs in the finals, they still are qualified for Worlds, thus relieving any “safe start” pressure and producing a truer final.
- The next 4 best teams at FINA-approved qualifying events from March 1st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020 (including the World Championships) will join them to make 16
- If any qualified teams, including those placing top 12 at Worlds, decline their spot, then the next-best teams from the March 1st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020 qualifying period will go to the Olympics. In other words, if a top 12 team from Worlds declines their spot, it doesn’t automatically go to team number 13 from Worlds.
Current Qualifying Outlook
Here are the teams who are locked in in each relay, plus the next four top times over the qualifying period. These will effectively serve as the times to beat for unqualified nations over the next 9 months.
Women
| Women’s 4×100 Free Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | Australia |
| 2 | Canada |
| 3 | Sweden |
| 4 | United States |
| 5 | Japan |
| 6 | Netherlands |
| 7 | China |
| 8 | Germany |
| 9 | Russia |
| 10 | Hong Kong |
| 11 | Czech Republic |
| 12 | Poland |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | Brazil | 3:40.39 |
2019 Pan American Games
|
| 14 | Switzerland | 3:41.30 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 15 | Italy | 3:41.84 |
2019 World University Games
|
| 16 | Denmark | 3:42.20 |
2019 World Champs
|
| Women’s 4×200 Free Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | Australia |
| 2 | United States |
| 3 | Russia |
| 4 | China |
| 5 | Germany |
| 6 | Canada |
| 7 | Hungary |
| 8 | Japan |
| 9 | Poland |
| 10 | New Zealand |
| 11 | Hong Kong |
| 12 | South Korea |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | Italy | 7:59.68 |
2019 World University Games
|
| 14 | Spain | 8:06.97 |
2019 World Junior Champs
|
| 15 | Brazil | 8:07.77 |
2019 Pan American Games
|
| 16 | Singapore | 8:08.44 |
2019 World Champs
|
| Women’s 4×100 Medley Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Australia |
| 3 | Italy |
| 4 | Canada |
| 5 | China |
| 6 | Sweden |
| 7 | Great Britain |
| 8 | Japan |
| 9 | Germany |
| 10 | Netherlands |
| 11 | Switzerland |
| 12 | Russia |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | South Korea | 4:03.38 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 14 | Hong Kong | 4:03.52 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 15 | Poland | 4:04.27 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 16 | Denmark | 4:04.33 |
2019 World Champs
|
Men
| Men’s 4×100 Free Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Great Britain |
| 3 | Russia |
| 4 | Australia |
| 5 | Italy |
| 6 | Brazil |
| 7 | France |
| 8 | Hungary |
| 9 | Japan |
| 10 | Greece |
| 11 | Germany |
| 12 | Poland |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | Canada | 3:15.06 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 14 | Belgium | 3:15.34 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 15 | Serbia | 3:15.72 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 16 | Netherlands | 3:15.77 |
2019 World Champs
|
| Men’s 4×200 Free Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | Italy |
| 2 | Russia |
| 3 | United States |
| 4 | Australia |
| 5 | China |
| 6 | Brazil |
| 7 | Great Britain |
| 8 | Germany |
| 9 | Japan |
| 10 | Israel |
| 11 | Poland |
| 12 | Switzerland |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | Belgium | 7:12.99 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 14 | New Zealand | 7:13.06 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 15 | Hungary | 7:13.64 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 16 | Ireland | 7:13.91 |
2019 World Champs
|
| Men’s 4×100 Medley Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | Russia |
| 2 | United States |
| 3 | Japan |
| 4 | Great Britain |
| 5 | Australia |
| 6 | Brazil |
| 7 | China |
| 8 | Germany |
| 9 | Belarus |
| 10 | Canada |
| 11 | Lithuania |
| 12 | Hungary |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | Italy | 3:35.23 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 14 | Ireland | 3:35.86 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 15 | Korea | 3:36.53 |
2019 World Champs
|
| 16 | France | 3:36.61 |
2019 World Champs
|
Mixed
| Mixed 4×100 Medley Relay | |
| LOCKED IN OLYMPIC BIDS | |
| Nation | |
| 1 | United States |
| 2 | Australia |
| 3 | Russia |
| 4 | Great Britain |
| 5 | Canada |
| 6 | Italy |
| 7 | Netherlands |
| 8 | Germany |
| 9 | Belarus |
| 10 | Israel |
| 11 | Poland |
| 12 | Hungary |
| AT-LARGE FRONTRUNNERS | |||
| Nation | Time | Meet | |
| 13 | China | 3:43.79 |
2019 Jinan World Cup
|
| 14 | Japan | 3:44.75 |
2019 Tokyo World Cup
|
| 15 | Brazil | 3:48.61 |
2019 Pan American Games
|
| 16 | Switzerland | 3:48.98 |
2019 World Champs
|
Current Projected Relays Qualifications By Nation
Based on the current at-large frontrunners, six nations have qualified all 7 relays. Of those six, four are already locked in in all seven relays: the United States, Australia, Germany and Russia. At this point, Japan is still seeking at at-large bid in the mixed medley and Italy is still seeking at-large bids in the women’s 4×100 free relay, women’s 4×200 free relay and men’s 4×100 medley relay – but they are in line for those at-large bids to complete all 7 teams.
Teams with all three women’s relays: Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, USA, Canada, China, Poland and Hong Kong.
Teams with all three men’s relays: Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, USA, Brazil, Great Britain and Hungary.
Canada, China and Poland are currently one men’s relay short of bids in all 7 relays. Great Britain and Hungary are two women’s relays short.
In all, 30 nations are in line for 2020 Olympic relay bids, pending changes to the at-large bids through May. Starred (*) figures include current projected at-large bids.
| Nation | Total Relays | Mens | Womens | Mixed |
| Australia | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Germany | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Italy | 7 | 3* | 3* | 1 |
| Japan | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1* |
| Russia | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| USA | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Brazil | 6 | 3 | 2* | 1* |
| Canada | 6 | 2* | 3 | 1 |
| China | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1* |
| Poland | 6 | 2 | 3* | 1 |
| Great Britain | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Hungary | 5 | 3* | 1 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 4 | 1* | 2 | 1 |
| Switzerland | 4 | 1 | 2* | 1* |
| Hong Kong | 3 | 0 | 3* | 0 |
| South Korea | 3 | 1* | 2* | 0 |
| Belarus | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Israel | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Belgium | 2 | 2* | 0 | 0 |
| Denmark | 2 | 0 | 2* | 0 |
| France | 2 | 2* | 0 | 0 |
| Ireland | 2 | 2* | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1* | 1 | 0 |
| Sweden | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Greece | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lithuania | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Serbia | 1 | 1* | 0 | 0 |
| Singapore | 1 | 0 | 1* | 0 |
| Spain | 1 | 0 | 1* | 0 |
Unless FINA wants to try to get more countries to swim relays at the World Championships, they should reduce the number of guaranteed spots from 12 to 10 from the World Champs and then, of course, increase the number of at-large spots from 4 to 6. I believe that half or more of the events will have all 4 at large times faster than slowest guaranteed (12th place finisher at Worlds) spot when the Olympics comes around.
I don’t understand the mentality of not fielding a relay team just because there are low chances of medalling. It betrays the Olympic spirit. Besides, you never know what’s going to happen in a relay race.
Quite shameful the way British Swimming have abandoned the female relays because they arent world beaters. Hopefully they get the chance to put a time down; Maybe set up a few relays at Oly trials?
It’s really annoying. Especially, because next year a team of O Connor, Hopkin, Anderson and Someone else could probably put in a decent time. Also, by scratching them relays it meant Georgia Coates didn’t get to swim at worlds.
The Euros next year will still be in the qualifying period right? I mean, I’d hope they’d send a team if they qualified but the squad will already be chosen right? Seems a bit messy considering both relays could probably be top 8…
They will, but British swimming have historically sent very few swimmers to Euros in Olympic year. They only sent a full squad in 2016 because Euros were in the UK. They sent less than 10 swimmers in 2008 & 2012. It would seem easier to set up an opportunity at Trials in my opinion.
Congrats to all 4 but esp to Aust who did it with 29 swimmers . ( That goes for Germany too but I don’t know exactly their numbers) .plus to US & Russia because getting thru without DQs in some close races is something fine .
Agree . We are sending smaller teams to world juniors and seniors but still going well
You mean how many german swimmers competed at the world championships? If that’s what you meant, then the answer is 26.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_at_the_2019_World_Aquatics_Championships
Danke .. i figured it wasn’t many . & well done .
I think the Germans had a large amount of success in relays because a lot of their team members were selected for relays only and no individual events.
1) Why exactly do you consider the german results in relays a success?
2) Germany had “success”, because other nations either didn’t show up (GB, France, South Africa) or were too arrogant and only used their B teams in prelims.
– Women’s 400 free relay: If France and GB would have competed and if Russia would have used their best lineup in prelims, then Germany never would have made the final and a 11th place wouldn’t have been a success.
– Women’s 800 free relay: 7th place in the final was actually a disappointment and so was the time of 7:55.63. Germany should have been much faster and should have finished ahead of Hungary, given that the… Read more »
I only meant they had success in qualifying all of their relays for the olympics
There’s a mistake with the Canadian men – they only have medley relay qualified. They’re at-large for 4×100 free right now, and didn’t send a 4×200 to Worlds, so not in the mix there right now.
As noted above, the projections at the end are based on the current at-large leaders in each relay.
Ah, my mistake.
France women sent no relays to Worlds, so have none qualified. Definitely capable of knocking some countries out if they want to.
Are GB likely to bother trying to qualify for the two women’s relays?
If they cared about their sport and swimmers they would- they are just denying 4-8 young sportswomen a chance to compete at an Olympic Games, even though they have the talent to get there. Sad.
Surprised to see Germany with all relays qualified, ahead of places like Japan, China, and Hungary.
yes very surprised too on my end
No reason to be surprised. Germany has qualified all relays because they actually competed unlike some of the nations that are better on paper. If all the other nations would have taken this seriously then Germany would have missed out on at least 1 relay. In the end the medalists for next year are pretty much set in most events (USA/Brazil/Russia in men’s 400 free, 3 out of USA/GB/Australia/Russia in men’s 800 free, USA/GB/Russia in men’s medley relay, USA/Australia/Canada in women’s 400 free relay, USA/Australia + Canada/China in women’s 800 free relay, USA/Australia/Canada in women’s medley relay, USA/Australia + Russia/GB in the mixed medley relay), so not sure if it is worth the trouble for nations like GB or France… Read more »
I don’t agree with the “no chance of a medal not worth swimming mentality”. GB apply this to individuals as well as teams and I don’t think that in the long run it works as well as they think.