World Aquatics Championships Women's Open Water Race Postponed Due to Water Quality Concerns

SINGAPORE — The World Aquatics Championships women's open water 10km race, originally scheduled to commence at 8 AM on July 15, 2025, at Sentosa, has been postponed due to water quality levels failing to meet established safety thresholds. The decision, communicated by World Aquatics in a press release issued early on the same day, underscores the organization’s commitment to athlete safety, stating that the postponement was made in the "utmost interest of athlete safety."

The race has been rescheduled to take place at 10:15 AM on July 16, 2025. Prominent athletes, including Singapore Olympian Chantal Liew and emerging swimmer Kate Ona, were set to compete in this event. A thorough review was conducted by representatives from World Aquatics, the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee, and both the World Aquatics Sports Medicine and Open Water Swimming Technical Committees before this decision was reached.

According to the governing body, testing conducted in the days leading up to the event had consistently shown that water quality at the venue met the acceptable thresholds mandated by World Aquatics. However, recent analysis of samples taken on July 13 indicated levels surpassing these thresholds, prompting immediate action to ensure the health and safety of the athletes involved.

"The decision to postpone racing was made in the best interests of athlete health and safety, which remains World Aquatics and the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee's top priority," the organization stated.

World Aquatics has committed to conducting further water quality assessments leading up to the newly scheduled race to determine if conditions remain suitable for the event. The organization expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the postponement, acknowledging the significant preparation athletes, coaches, and teams had invested in the competition.

The Sentosa venue is also set to host high diving events during the Championships, which commenced on July 7 and are scheduled to run until August 3, 2025. This year marks the first time the World Aquatics Championships have been hosted by a Southeast Asian nation, bringing global attention to Singapore. Despite the star-studded line-up of competitions, attendance at some events, such as water polo matches, has been noted as less than anticipated, raising questions about audience engagement at the Championships.

As the event continues, both World Aquatics and the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee are prioritizing safety while maintaining a focus on delivering a successful championship experience. Athletes and fans alike are hopeful for a swift resolution that will allow the events to proceed without further interruptions.