Last Updated:
9/10/2012
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Section 203.3 (120-Day Rule) |
203.3
For a swimmer to represent a USA Swimming club in a
competitive event, one hundred twenty (120) consecutive
days must have elapsed without the swimmer having
represented any other USA Swimming club in USA Swimming
competition. This 120-day rule does not apply to
representation in closed competition if it is sanctioned
or approved by the LSC.
Section 203.3 of the USA
Swimming Rules and Regulations is frequently referred to
in the swimming community as the 120‑day rule. Simply
stated, the 120‑day rule states that for a swimmer to
represent a USA Swimming club in a competitive event, 120
consecutive days must have elapsed without the swimmer
having represented any other USA Swimming club in
competition.
Listed below are frequently
asked questions and answers about section 203.3
Q
How do I count the 120 days?
A
You begin counting the 120 days
from the last date the swimmer swam representing a USA
Swimming club in competition. Example: Meet was
January 4, 5 and 6. The swimmer swam representing a USA
Swimming club on January 5 but did not swim any events on
January 6. You would begin counting the 120 days on January
6 since the swimmer last swam representing the club on
January 5.
Q
Club ABC has folded and swimmers must join another USA
Swimming club. Must the swimmers wait 120 days?
A
The USA Swimming Rules and Regulations specifies that
120 consecutive days must have elapsed before a swimmer can
represent any other USA Swimming club in competition. Even
though the club disbanded, the swimmers must still wait 120
days to represent another USA Swimming club in competition.
Q
USA Swimming club is changing it's club name from ABC to
DEF. No other changes with exception of club name. Must
swimmers wait 120 days?
A
In this instance, the 120-day rule does not apply. The club
has a name change only ‑ in essence, it is not a different
club. Club should report name change to LSC Membership
Chair who will change the name in SWIMS.
Q
Club ABC is merging with the DEF swim club and swimmers will
swim as the DEF swim club. What swimmers must wait the 120
days?
A
The swimmers coming from the ABC swim club must wait 120
consecutive days before representing the DEF swim club in
competition.
Q
ABC swim club and DEF swim club are merging to form the GHI
swim club. Must all swimmers wait 120 days to represent the
GHI swim club in competition?
A
A new swim club (GHI) has been formed. GHI must submit a
new club application, which must be approved before any
swimmers can represent GHI. Swimmers from the ABC swim club
and the DEF swim club must all wait 120 consecutive days
before representing the GHI swim club.
Q
YMCA club (also USA Swimming club) holds a YMCA Invitational
meet for YMCA athletes and teams only. Swimmer A represents
the club in the meet and subsequently switches to another
USA Swimming club. Does the 120‑day rule apply?
A
If the YMCA Invitational meet was in fact closed competition
involving only YMCA teams and YMCA member athletes, it is
not a USA Swimming competition, and the 120‑day rule would
not apply (except as to last date of competition for prior
USA Swimming club).
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Questions / comments?
Please contact the
TJ Liston, Coaches Representative
or
Michael Julian, Coaches Representative. |
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