COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, December 3. WITH nearly a year's worth of discussion and compromise put into the process, USA Swimming has finally released the updated, and approved, Athlete Partnership Agreement (APA) to the public.
While National Teamers will still automatically be eligible for the $21,000 annual stipend, those that opt into the Athlete Partnership Plan will see their annual stipend improve to $36,000.
Here is the breakdown on eligibility for the program:
• Are 18 years of age and older;
• Have exhausted or given up their NCAA eligibility;
• Have been named to the 2010-2011 USA Swimming National Team (as explained below); and
• Have satisfied one of the following:
A. Are ranked in the Top 16 in the world in an Olympic event (pool) based on the September 7, 2010 world rankings, or
B. Finished in the Top 16 at 2010 Open Water 10K World Championships (open water).
• USA Swimming monthly funding will be offered to a maximum of 56 total athletes who meet the above criteria. The 56 athletes will be made up 26 males and 26 females from pool swimming and 2 males and 2 females from open water swimming.
• In the event that there are more than 26 male or 26 female pool athletes, the 26 athletes with the highest world ranking in an Olympic event will be offered monthly funding. In the event of a tie, the tiebreaker will be the athlete with the highest world ranking in a second Olympic event based on the September 7, 2010 world rankings.
• Eligible athletes who decline the Athlete Partnership Agreement will remain on the monthly stipend ($1750/month).
• Eligible athletes must be actively training and competing.
USA Swimming National Team Qualifying Criteria
Pool: Athletes with the top 6 fastest times, in Olympic Events from the combined results of the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships and the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships; times from Prelims, Semi-Finals and Finals (A, B and C) only will be used and relay lead offs and time trials will not be included.
Open Water: Top six finishers in the 2010 USA Swimming 10K Open Water National Championship and World Championship Trials.
The additional funding for those that opt in will not come without a price. APA National Teamers will be required to submit an "Athlete Seasonal Plan" to USA Swimming that includes a Calendar of events. Additionally, to remain compliant with the APA, those that opt in must compete at the FINA World Championships, World University Games and/or the USA Swimming National Championships as well as a minimum of two days each in three Grand Prix Series events. APA National Teamers will also have to submit two seasonal plan progress reports throughout the year.
APA National Teamers will also sign away image rights in connection with appearances, agree to participation in USA Swimming photo shoots, and will participate in at least two promotional activities on behalf of USA Swimming and/or the USA Swimming Foundation without compensation other than travel expenses.
Additionally, APA National Teamers will be required to autograph up to 25 items for USA Swimming to use as promotional items, and APAers will also be required to promote USA Swimming on personal web sites as well as being required to "friend" USA Swimming on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.