U.S. Masters Swimming Cancels Summer Nationals

SARASOTA, Fla. — U.S. Masters Swimming has canceled the 2020 USMS Summer National Championship in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization announced on Thursday.

The decision to cancel Summer Nationals, which was scheduled for Aug. 12–16 in Richmond, Va., and was part of USMS's 50th anniversary celebration this year, was made jointly by USMS and local partners SwimRVA and Richmond Region Tourism.

“In an abundance of caution for our athletes, coaches, volunteers, fans, and staff, we have decided that this was the best course of action,” USMS CEO Dawson Hughes says. “We will use this time to further support our local clubs and coaches to ensure a safe and productive return back to swimming.”

Northside ISD Aquatics and San Antonio Sports, hosts of this year’s previously canceled 2020 USMS Spring National Championship, and SwimRVA have agreed to host Spring and Summer Nationals, respectively, in 2022. USMS has already announced the hosts for its pool national championships in 2021.

“We are disappointed that we had to make this decision, but it was the right one for the safety of swimmers planning to attend our meet,” says SwimRVA Executive Director Adam Kennedy, the Summer Nationals meet director. “We look forward to working with USMS to host 2022 Summer Nationals in our historic city.”

USMS will continue to focus on supporting clubs and coaches in their efforts to restart USMS workouts as soon as appropriate, based on facility, local, state, and federal safety and social distancing guidelines. 

To help its members return to competition, the organization plans to host several virtual events this summer and fall, including the first USMS virtual championship in August. More details on these events will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We will continue to monitor updates regarding COVID-19 and will provide information to our members as it becomes available,” Hughes says. “We thank our members in advance for taking every precaution to protect themselves and others.”