"This concept will ensure a broader representation of swimmers in the starting blocks of the semifinals and finals of the Short Course World Championships," said the International Swimming Federation president, Husain Al Musallam, in a press release.
The trial of ten starters instead of eight will apply to distances up to and including 400 meters.
According to the federation, the main reason is that more nations will be represented in the semifinals and finals.
However, team races and distances longer than 400 meters will retain the system of eight finalists.
The Short Course World Championships will be held in Beijing in December.
