Prospective Club Membership Booklet What is USA Swimming?

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body Local ─ Within the United States, there are fifty- for competitive swimming in the United States. nine (59) Local Swimming Committees (LSCs). USA Swimming was conceived in 1978 with the Each LSC is responsible for administering USA passage of the Amateur Sports Act, which Swimming activities in a defined geographical specified that all Olympic sports would be area and has its own set of bylaws under which it administered independently. Prior to this act, USA operates. A House of Delegates with Swimming was the Competitive Swimming representation of athletes, coaches, members of Committee of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) the Board of Directors and clubs is responsible for located in Indianapolis, Indiana. USA Swimming managing the business affairs of the LSC. Headquarters office was established in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1981 and is located at the How USA Swimming Operates Olympic Training Center.

USA Swimming is a non-profit organization made As the National Governing Body for the sport, up of very dedicated volunteers. Interested USA Swimming is responsible for the conduct individuals donate their time, energy and expertise and administration of swimming in the United at every level from the national Board of Directors States. In this capacity, USA Swimming to the local swimming clubs. There are 50 formulates the rules, implements the policies and standing committees. Staff liaisons, along with procedures, conducts the national championships, these committees, create, implement and evaluate disseminates safety and sports medicine USA Swimming programs. The House of information and selects athletes to represent the Delegates meets annually to determine the rules United States in international competition. and regulations for the following year. Between

yearly meetings of the House of Delegates, an How is USA Swimming elected USA Swimming Board of Directors is Organized? charged with the responsibility of making decisions for USA Swimming.

International ─ The international federation for the aquatic sports is the Federation Internationale USA Swimming Headquarters de Natation Amateur (FINA). USA Swimming is affiliated with FINA through United States USA Swimming Headquarters provides a variety Aquatic Sports (USAS), made up of the four of services and programs for its membership. aquatic sports – swimming, synchronized Among the many services are publications, swimming, diving and water polo. educational programs, fund-raising activities, sports science programs, resources and general National ─ USA Swimming is a Group A information about swimming related activities. member of the United States Olympic Committee The USA Swimming staff is available to assist (USOC) and has voting representation in the you in answering questions or providing USOC House of Delegates. additional information about USA Swimming.

Zone ─ We are divided into four separate zones – USA Swimming Central, Eastern, Southern and Western. Each 1 Olympic Plaza zone elects two representatives to the national Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5707 Board of Directors. Main: 719/866-4578 Fax: 719/866-4669 Website: http://www.usaswimming.org

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