Athletes participating in open-water events voice concerns over supposedly perilous circumstances in Singapore
**Challenging Conditions at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore**
Open water swimmers competed under challenging heat-related conditions at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The event, held in the tropical climate of Singapore, presented athletes with warm water temperatures and high humidity, leading to increased physical strain and a high dropout rate.
The water temperatures for the men's and women's races were recorded at 30.4°C and 30.8°C, respectively, which is close to the 31°C limit set by World Aquatics. This warm water, described as "warmer than bath water," contributed to the difficulty experienced by athletes.
Florian Wellbrock, a German open water swimmer, emerged victorious in the men's race, while Moesha Johnson from Australia took gold in the women's race that had been postponed twice due to poor water quality. The water quality issues caused anger in the German camp, with Bernd Berkhahn, the national coach, describing the conditions as dangerous and stating that less experienced nations could have bigger problems.
The high air temperature and humidity combined with the water conditions made the race particularly grueling. Eleven men and fifteen women were unable to complete their races, with some swimmers being taken away in wheelchairs during the event.
To ensure athlete safety, World Aquatics closely monitored the water quality and temperature. Despite initial concerns about water quality, the event proceeded with the organization's decision to prioritize athlete safety and race conditions. The organizers also provided support to mitigate the harsh conditions, including ensuring that athletes had access to appropriate cooling measures and medical support.
Competitors typically prepare for such conditions by acclimatizing to warmer temperatures and using various cooling techniques during the race. However, the specific warm water conditions in Singapore still posed a significant challenge. Lea Boy, another German open water swimmer, expressed frustration about the postponement of her race, while Jeannette Spiwoks finished 15th with a large gap to the leaders in the race. Lea Boy was pulled out of the race by national coach Bernd Berkhahn because she was "quite dazed."
Florian Wellbrock, who trains with Moesha Johnson under national coach Bernd Berkhahn in Magdeburg, coped well with the tropical heat during the race. Ginevra Taddeucci from Italy won silver in the women's race, while Lisa Pou from Monegasque won bronze.
Despite the challenging conditions, the event continued with careful monitoring and logistical support, ensuring the safety of the athletes while competing in challenging environmental conditions.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding the conditions at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, as concerns about athlete safety and well-being were raised due to extreme heat and humidity during sports events.
Regardless of the success achieved by individual athletes like Florian Wellbrock and Moesha Johnson, the high dropout rate in the races underscores the need for more research and sports science advancements to help athletes perform better in warmer temperatures and counteract the effects of challenging environmental conditions during competitions.
