USA Swimming has decided to not sanction any meets until at least June because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The sport’s governing body in the U.S. had previously stated that it wouldn’t sanction any meets through April 30, but that has been extended through May 31 because of the state of the pandemic in the U.S.
USA Swimming President and CEO Tim Hinchey and Board Chair Bob Vincent sent this letter to Local Swimming Committees (LSCs) and coaches:
We hope this communication finds you and yours safe and healthy.We commend all our leaders across the sport for their hard work and dedication over the last several weeks in finding ways to stay connected and engaged with our members. We are hopeful that the additional tools and resources provided by USA Swimming have assisted in your ongoing efforts and we welcome your feedback or requests for additional materials.While we are cautiously planning for our eventual return to pools, we are also acutely aware of the current environment and the ongoing safety measures still in place in many jurisdictions across the country. In an effort to ensure that our community continues to play a positive role in this nationwide public health effort, and to ensure an even and level playing field among all our LSC’s, the USA Swimming Board of Directors has made the decision to revoke all existing USA Swimming sanctions and suspend granting sanctions through May 31, 2020 . Prior to the end of May 2020, the Board will evaluate whether to extend the suspension period. This will be continuously reassessed based on health and governmental authorities’ information.As previously communicated, LSC’s should take appropriate steps to reevaluate their sanction processes and adjust them as needed to limit foreseeable penalties for late or delayed sanctioning applications.
Safety is the a focus of this letter, but also fairness. Some states could start getting back in the water as of May 1 if state rules allow it. This new sanctioning date would set a level bar for all states to follow.
USA Swimming major events such as the TYR Pro Swim Series that were originally scheduled during May had already been canceled.
Are we just going to lose long course season?
Maranda Bell it feels that way. I miss the water to. I hope to start training again for Tokyo soon once a treatment is out for COVID19.
Leslie Cichocki I hope you can start training soon. Good luck on Tokyo!! Fast swims and as a wise coach once told my oldest “train insane or remain the same”
Missy Stults Bader
Brandeis Watkins-Askren ?
Michelle Hamblen Coleman the FFT webinar that I attended last week, the talked about this, and what seasons might look like for both long course and short course this year. They are planning to do both but no one really knew what they’d look like as everything is changing day by day with this virus and the speculation that it will make a second go round in the fall.
Get ready for virtual meets