Some countries that are considered "development" countries - not sure how this is decided - can enter swimmers without making the entry times, hence some very slow times.
"Universality" is FINA's term- each member may still enter a certain number of swimmers if they have few or no swimmers with at least a B time standard.
www.fina.org/.../index.php
Federations may enter swimmers regardless of standard time as follows:- having no swimmer qualified: two (2) men and two (2) women;
- having one (1) or two (2) swimmers qualified, additional swimmers up to a maximum of four (4) swimmers (two (2) men and two (2) women);
- having three (3) swimmers qualified, one (1) additional swimmer provided that both gender are represented.
*Note: Please refer to FINA Rules below
Swimmers entered without qualifying time must have participated in the National Championships of the Federation or in a FINA approved qualifying event. These swimmers will be allowed to enter in two (2) different events each, but they cannot swim in the same event, p.a. 50m Freestyle.
Gender Relays: 4x100m Freestyle, 4x200m Freestyle, 4 x 100m Medley – Men & Women – One (1) Relay per Federation
Mixed Relays: 4x100 m Freestyle, 4x100m Medley – One (1) Relay per Federation
For the Olympics, which have a hard cap on athlete numbers, the 'universality' allocation is usually one male and one female per country, and at least for London, those athletes had to compete in the previous WCs unless there is a special waiver from the IOC granted. (ie. if Iran or Saudi Arabia wanted to send a female swimmer, they'd be allowed whether or not that athlete met the WC requirement because the IOC wants to increase female participation from those countries)
Some countries that are considered "development" countries - not sure how this is decided - can enter swimmers without making the entry times, hence some very slow times.
"Universality" is FINA's term- each member may still enter a certain number of swimmers if they have few or no swimmers with at least a B time standard.
www.fina.org/.../index.php
Federations may enter swimmers regardless of standard time as follows:- having no swimmer qualified: two (2) men and two (2) women;
- having one (1) or two (2) swimmers qualified, additional swimmers up to a maximum of four (4) swimmers (two (2) men and two (2) women);
- having three (3) swimmers qualified, one (1) additional swimmer provided that both gender are represented.
*Note: Please refer to FINA Rules below
Swimmers entered without qualifying time must have participated in the National Championships of the Federation or in a FINA approved qualifying event. These swimmers will be allowed to enter in two (2) different events each, but they cannot swim in the same event, p.a. 50m Freestyle.
Gender Relays: 4x100m Freestyle, 4x200m Freestyle, 4 x 100m Medley – Men & Women – One (1) Relay per Federation
Mixed Relays: 4x100 m Freestyle, 4x100m Medley – One (1) Relay per Federation
For the Olympics, which have a hard cap on athlete numbers, the 'universality' allocation is usually one male and one female per country, and at least for London, those athletes had to compete in the previous WCs unless there is a special waiver from the IOC granted. (ie. if Iran or Saudi Arabia wanted to send a female swimmer, they'd be allowed whether or not that athlete met the WC requirement because the IOC wants to increase female participation from those countries)
