Virginia Swimming
A Local Swim Committee of USA Swimming
Since 1978

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).
 

Questions / comments?  Please contact the TJ Liston, Coaches Representative or Michael Julian, Coaches Representative.

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