The ISL have vowed to pay each swimmer who signed a contract with an ISL club an equal amount of money per month as part of their solidarity programme.

The programme will run from September 1 through to July 1 in 2021.

Funding will support swimmers during the coronavirus pandemic and allow them to prepare for major events in 2021, the ISL said.

This would include the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 7 next year.

The grants will also support athletes prior to a full ISL season in 2021 and 2022.

Each swimmer will reportedly receive £1,200 ($1,400/€1,300) per month, according to the BBC.

The ISL had previously pledged to rearrange their season should the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games be postponed.

An ISL campaign features regular season events at multiple venues and a Grand Final.

The widely-anticipated first season of the ISL took place last year, featuring stars such as Olympic and world champions Katinka Hosszú of Hungary, Sarah Sjöström of Sweden, Adam Peaty of Britain and Chad le Clos of South Africa.

Confirmation of Tokyo 2020’s postponement to 2021 has led to the ISL revealing a revised plan for the season.

The ISL say their new initiative takes into consideration feedback from its athletes and coaches, respecting the need for a full training preparation before the Olympic Games.

The ISL will hold an “innovative training and competition experience for athletes and coaches”, which the organisation says will last for between four to five weeks.

Athletes are expected to be located at one “world class facility”, with all associated expenses covered by the ISL.

All athletes involved will have the opportunity to be accompanied by their home coach during the period, which is expected to take place from October 14 to November 17.

The ISL said the organisation is planning a commercial tournament during the period, which will feature their club format.

An “exciting new reality concept” will be included, the ISL said.

It is claimed the event will have global exposure, which will enhance the athletes’ profiles and the popularity of the sport.

The ISL plan to return to their regular season in 2021.

The inaugural season featured eight teams, with Energy Standard crowned as the winners in the Grand Final.

Teams from Toronto and Tokyo are due to join the ISL.

The ISL had been subject to legal action last year when the International Swimming Federation (FINA) reportedly banned athletes from competing at a meet arranged by the ISL, with the event viewed as a rival of their existing World Cup circuit.

This led to ISL organisers and swimmers taking legal action against FINA, leading to the threat being withdrawn by the governing body.

FINA also eased their rules around third-party competitions.