Chapter 1: General Provisions

FIMP Code of Competition & Technical Handbook · 2026–2029 Edition (in force from 1 January 2026)

Article 1.1: Scope

1. 1.1.1This Code governs all World Championships, World Series events, continental championships and any other competition sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Marco Polo (FIMP).
2. 1.1.2Where a national federation's rules conflict with this Code at a sanctioned event, this Code prevails.
3. 1.1.3The English text is authoritative. In the event of a dispute about translation, the Jury of Appeal shall consult the English text and, failing resolution, the French text of 1931.

Article 1.2: Definitions

1. 1.2.1“Marco” means the athlete who, with eyes closed, calls “Marco” and attempts to tag the other athletes. The word also refers to the call itself.
2. 1.2.2“Evader” means any athlete in the water who is not the Marco.
3. 1.2.3“Polo” means the response every evader must give to each Marco call.
4. 1.2.4“Chukka” means one period of play of 180 seconds with a single Marco.
5. 1.2.5“Heat” means a contest of six chukkas between six athletes, each of whom is the Marco once.
6. 1.2.6“Tag” means deliberate contact by the Marco's hand with any part of an evader's body, as confirmed by the Tag Referee.

Article 1.3: Disciplines

1. 1.3.1FIMP recognises two senior disciplines: Indoor Marco Polo and Outdoor Marco Polo.
2. 1.3.2Indoor Marco Polo is played in an enclosed, heated competition basin that complies with Chapter 3.
3. 1.3.3Outdoor Marco Polo is played in an open-air basin that complies with Chapter 4. A natural body of water may be used with the approval of the Water Quality & Thermal Commission.
4. 1.3.4Variants including Sharks and Minnows, Fish Out of Water as a stand-alone game, and “Marco Polo with a ball” are not recognised disciplines.