Could Ice Swimming Become An Olympic Sport?

ORADEA, ROMANIA – FEBRUARY 2, 2024 – Athletes swim along the lanes during the IISA 1st European Ice … [+] Swimming Championship in Oradea, Romania. (Photo credit should read Yulii Zozulia / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

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When the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) was founded in 2009, they had a dream to see ice swimming become an Olympic sport one day. Since then, this extreme sport has grown globally, with swimmers now representing 43 countries. But what exactly is ice swimming? According to the IISA, it involves swimming in water temperatures of 41.0 degrees Fahrenheit (5.0 degrees Celsius) or lower without any assistance, using only a silicone swim cap, goggles and a regular swimsuit – no wetsuits allowed.

The IISA recognizes that ice swimming is an extreme sport that can be dangerous, which is why they have established rules and regulations to prioritize safety. For example, swimmers must undergo a medical examination, including an ECG, within three months prior to a race. Diving is prohibited at organized competitions, and swimmers can only be underwater for a maximum of 5 meters from the start, meaning there isn’t much underwater swimming in these races. Additionally, a medical doctor is present at competitions to educate swimmers about hypothermia, the risks involved and other safety concerns. The IISA continuously reviews and amends its rules and regulations.

Could ice swimming eventually make it to the Winter Olympic Games? It doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, especially in Europe, major competitions have been established. In 2024, the first European Ice Swimming Championship was held in Oradea, Romania, from February 1–4, in an Olympic-sized (50-meter) outdoor pool. Events included the 50 and 100 of all four strokes, the 250 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, 200 freestyle mixed relay, 200 medley mixed relay and a 1000 freestyle relay, where swimmers swam 250 meters each.

The IISA also tracks ice swimming world records. It’s becoming highly competitive—so much so that an Olympic swimmer from the 2024 Paris Games is competing at this week’s World Championships.

2025 International Ice Swimming World Championships

BURGHAUSEN, GERMANY – JANUARY 06: Participants compete in the women’s races in Woehrsee lake on … [+] January 6, 2017 in Burghausen, Germany. Swimmers will compete in several disciplines over the next few days and will be exceptionally challenged today as temperatures have plummeted well below zero. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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The 2025 International Ice Swimming World Championships are taking place from January 13–19 in Molveno, Italy, in an outdoor 50-meter pool. This is the sixth World Championships, and to compete in any event, swimmers must meet qualifying times. The IISA also encourages Para swimmers to compete. In fact, the 2023 IISA World Championship featured a complete program for Para athletes, including relays.

Events for the 2025 World Championship include the 50s and 100s of all strokes, the 200 IM, 250 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle and relays. Over 700 swimmers are competing, representing more than 40 countries worldwide. Among the athletes competing in Italy this week is Olympic swimmer Keaton Jones, who has already made his mark in the ice swimming community.

U.S. Olympic Swimmer Competes in 2025 Ice Swimming World Championships

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 20: Keaton Jones of the United States competes in the Men’s backstroke … [+] final on Day Six of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Olympic swimmer Keaton Jones was the first swimmer from the U.S. to break an ice swimming world record, setting five new records at the 2023 Ice Swimming World Championships in Samoens, France, including in the 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly.

The freezing cold temperatures aren’t the only challenge Jones has to adapt to for these Championships; he also has to adjust to the different rules, including performing old-style ‘touch and go’ turns for freestyle and backstroke. Warming up is also different — Jones has stated on the Social Kick podcast that he warms up by exercising outside the pool.

This week, Jones has won both the 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke so far. His win in the 50 backstroke was by a narrow margin, proving how competitive the Ice Swimming World Championships have become. Jones won by just 0.10 seconds, posting a time of 28.46, while Virgile Poirier from France touched second.

Jones claimed victory in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:01.27. Poirier earned second place with a time of 1:04.45. Jones broke the 100 backstroke ice swimming world record in the prelims with a time of 59.01.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 20: Keaton Jones of the United States celebrates after the Men’s 200m … [+] backstroke final on Day Six of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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At 19, Jones made his Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games after placing second in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:54.61. In Paris, he finished fifth overall with a time of 1:55.39. Originally from Arizona, Jones is currently a sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley. Olympic gold medalist Jack Alexy also swims for the University of California, Berkeley, as a senior this season.

As the sport continues to grow worldwide, more Olympic swimmers may join the ice swimming bandwagon. However, swimming in these extreme pool temperatures is definitely a whole different ballgame. Jones has shown a lot of enthusiasm for the sport and has stated on the Social Kick podcast that he believes ice swimming deserves a larger audience and hopes to help it reach the Winter Olympic Games.

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