One of the fastest 500 freestylers in the country is competing at a dual meet. The lap counter advances the numbers on the display immediately after the swimmer turns at the far end of the pool, instead of waiting for the swimmer to turn at the start end.

The rule:

The lap counter changes the visual counter to the next higher odd number, or fluorescent orange card, as the competitor makes each turn at the starting end.

The referee disqualifies the swimmer for the lap counter’s error, citing the following rule:

PENALTY: For the lap counter aiding the swimmer, violating deck position, or interfering in any manner with the competition, the competitor in that lane shall be disqualified.

PS This happened this season. 

Coach (at league champs): I want to get the lead-off split for my swimmer in the relay.
Meet Manager: Sure, which relay was it?
Coach: Relay X
Manager: Ok, this is the time for Swimmer Y.
Coach: That’s the wrong swimmer. Swimmer Z swam first.
Manager: You know that your swimmers need to swim in the order listed on the relay card or they’re disqualified, right?
Coach: What are you talking about? None of my swimmers swam in the order listed on the card.
Manager: I didn’t hear what you just said, otherwise I’d have to disqualify all of your relays.
Coach to Referee: I had my students do the entry cards, so they put the wrong order on each of the relays. So, none of my swimmers swam in the relay card order.
Referee: That’s ok, we’ll let it go. It’s not really that big a deal.

The rule:

For submitting an entry card which is incomplete, inaccurate or delivered late, the competitor or relay team shall be disqualified from that event.

At a league championship meet, an official gives swimmers the “Take Your Mark” command. All swimmers take position, and then Lane 8 jumps big time. The starter asks the swimmers to “Stand” and then speaks over the loud speaker “Lane 8, were we in a hurry?” The starter then restarts the race and does not disqualify Lane 8.

PS This actually happened this season!