Modifications were rubber-stamped today at a FINA Techincal Congress for the three disciplines, taking place in Hungarian capital Budapest prior to this year's World Aquatics Championships.

FINA President Julio Maglione highlighted the importance of the Congresses, with a second to follow for open water swimming and water polo tomorrow.

"This is certainly a great opportunity, every four years, to update, improve and modernise our rules, with the contribution of our National Federations and Technical Committees," the 81-year-old Uruguayan said.

"Their valuable work makes our sport bigger and more recognised, thus generating more popularity and inspiration in the five continents."

Changed to synchronised swimming include the introduction of a new "highlight routine" event at World Championship level.

Ten swimmers will take part per team with required elements to be performed by all athletes, including a minimum of four acrobatic movements.

These could be jumps, throws, lifts, stacks or platforms, with a connected or intertwined action and a float to give a "kaleidoscopic" effect also required.

Figure routines will be replaced by technical routines at FINA World Junior Synchronised Swimming Championships, while free-team routines must now have a maximum of six acrobatic movements.

The free combination routine time will also be reduced by 30 seconds to four minutes flat, with all elements in solo and duet technical routines now needing to be performed parallel to the sides of the pool where the judging panel is placed.

In diving, a clear definition on the "double bounce" at the end of the springboard, or the "double jump" at the end of the platform, before take-off, will be published.

Adjustments will also be made to competition formats and judging deductions.

Changes in high diving allow the possibility for each competitor to provide two reserve dives, which may be substituted in up to five minutes before the final round of dives begins.

New deductions will be brought in for divers touching or performing unsafely close to the platform, while there will be updated criteria on the degree of difficulty for dives with twists. 

This year's World Aquatics Championships will begin on Friday (July 14) across four venues in Budapest.

There will be much interest out of the water, as Maglione is facing a Presidential challenge from Italy's European Swimming Federation head Paolo Barelli.

A vote will be held at the FINA Congress on July 22, before the Championships conclude on July 30.