Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club (SMAC) earns Safe Sport Club Recognition Status

Congratulations to the Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club, the latest North Carolina Swimming club to earn USA Swimming’s new Safe Sport Club Recognition! The Safe Sport Club Recognition program distinguishes USA Swimming clubs that demonstrate their commitment to creating safe, healthy, and positive environments for all of their members through the development and implementation of Athlete Protection Policies, Safe Sport Best Practices, and Safe Sport education.

The Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club has been highlighted as a Safe Sport Recognized Club with a banner on its team listing in the USA Swimming Find-a-Team Search and will receive a medallion for their club’s website as well. Clubs can apply for the Safe Sport Recognized Club program through their Club Portal on the USA Swimming website.  Here’s a link to the Safe Sport Recognized Club program information: https://www.usaswimming.org/ssrp

USA Swimming Statement Regarding the Postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games

“In this globally unprecedented time, today’s joint announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 organizers was the responsible, though understandably difficult decision to make. We are incredibly thankful to have stood next to the USOPC, fellow U.S. national sports governing bodies and sport federations around the world in advocating for the health and safety of our athletes, members and their families. All athletes around the world can now focus on what is most important – safeguarding their health and being good global citizens in the wake of this extraordinary pandemic.

“We will work with our athletes, coaches, teams and committees to shift our preparations, and schedule a calendar of events that properly readies our team for 2021. We will work closely with the USOPC on rescheduling the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming to best align with Olympic Games preparations as further details become known.

“Most importantly, we will focus on finding ways to support our 400,000 members and their communities, and strategizing with our more than 3,000 clubs to ensure they are well-placed to come out of this stronger than ever.”  

Tim Hinchey III

USA Swimming Chief Executive Officer

Since first communicating with our members about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have received ample feedback, much of it focused on the safety measures being recommended. We sincerely appreciate the comments and responses you are sharing.

As of today, the CDC and White House are urging a nationwide halt to gatherings of more than 10 people for the next eight weeks, citing the risk of the coronavirus. This includes avoiding eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts, and discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits. This should also include team training and practices.

In light of the current situation, beyond the previously announced cancellation of the TYR Pro Swim Series at Mission Viejo and the postponement of the combined Open Water National and Junior National Championships, USA Swimming is mandating the cancellation of all its sanctioned events across the U.S. through April 30, 2020. This will be continuously reassessed based on health and governmental authorities’ information.

Beyond our clubs and teams, we can all play an important part in helping to curb the spread of COVID-19.

We encourage you to visit our website often for the most-up-to-date news and information: www.usaswimming.org

Thank you,
USA Swimming