The opportunity to represent the United States on the international stage is now open to top college and university programs at the World University Games in 2022.
On January 27 we learned that USA Swimming was opting not to send a team to the 2021 World University Games (WUGs), which are taking place in 2022 due to the one-year postponement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, a representative for the United States International University Sports Federation (US-IUSF) told SwimSwam that it would still be possible to send a swim team to the Games in spite of USA Swimming’s decision.
The rep said in the past when a sport’s national governing body opted not to field a team, the US-ISF has selected a highly-ranked university team to go and compete, and that’s the situation that has come to light here.
USA Team, an organization overseen by the US-IUSF, is letting it be known that the opportunity to represent the United States at the Games this summer is open to top colleges and universities.
USA Team has recently sent out invites to top Division I men’s and women’s swimming programs in the NCAA, with the hope that a full team (American citizens only) accepts and can go represent the United States at WUGs.
The Games are now less than five months away, currently scheduled to take place June 26-July 7, 2022 in Chengdu, China.
USA Team told SwimSwam that if none of these schools are able to accept the invite on short notice, it would consider collegiate teams from any level. The organization would also make the opportunity available to swim clubs, though athletes need to be pursuing a post-secondary degree or diploma in order to be eligible.
USA Team would also consider sending a group of individual swimmers from various schools/clubs if a coach steps forward and takes on the responsibility of identifying, selecting and managing the athletes at the Games.
Additionally, USA Team is also looking to find a swim team to field at the 2022 FISU America Games, which are scheduled for October 14-26, 2022 in Merida, Mexico. The FISU America Games usually alternate years with the World University Games, but they fall during the same year in 2022 due to the WUGs postponement.
USA Team says it is actively pursuing multiple institutions and clubs with the invitation to represent the United States at both competitions, and will “move forward with those entities who express interest on a first come-first served basis.”
In terms of funding, when the national governing body (USA Swimming) declines participation, the expenses are borne by the participating college/athletes.
USA Team recognizes that the timeframe of the FISU Americas competition is not optimal for student-athletes, but says that could provide opportunity for others to represent their country internationally.
“Obviously, the schedule of the FISU Americas is challenging given colleges’ academic calendars and in-season schedules,” USA Team says. “But the unusual timing also provides us the opportunity to cast a wider net in searching for swimming teams that usually are not given the opportunity to participate in such events. In addition, this event may be ideal for any of the graduates/pro workout group swimmers who are using a university’s pool.”
The eligibility requirements for the competitions are as follows:
- Be a United States citizen.
- Have been born between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2004.
- Have graduated anytime in the calendar year 2021, or have taken at least one 3-credit course towards a degree or diploma within the last year before the Games. Incoming freshmen and transfers are usually eligible. [For the World University Games in China, those who graduated anytime in 2020 also would meet this criterion.]
- More information on the World University Games opportunity
- More information on the FISU America Games opportunity
If interested, teams can contact Nels Hawkinson or David Knopp at USA Team.
I hope the Redhawks of Miami Ohio take the invite so we can see Gordon Wheeler wreck havoc on some international opponents!
Kinda like how they used to take college boats in rowing, I assume
Boys in the Boat. Amazing book about the 1936 Olympic rowing team from Washington. Should be priority reading for every athlete and coach out there. Teaches us what real hardship and sacrifices really were.
The kids graduating high school and committed to college aren’t getting a fair deal. Too old for juniors and have no spot at WUG’s.
The Texas men’s relays would take a huge hit if Casper is considered international. The breast leg is the hardest to replace unless you have John Murray
I can see a scenario where they start with a ‘base team’ and then fill in the gaps. Kind of like they did with the U.S. Hockey Team at the 1994 Junior Goodwill Games in Los Angeles. Coach Gordon Bombay brought most of his team, like Charlie Conway and Fulton Reed and Greg Goldberg and Adam “Cake Eater” Banks and etc., and they were supplemented with some of the best players in the country like Julie “The Cat” Gaffney, Dwayne Robertson, Ken Wu, Dean Portman, Luis Mendoza, and Russ Tyler.
Worked out pretty well for them, I’d say, as they brought home gold.
🤣🤣🤣 well done!
You obviously weren’t a fan of the Quack.
I could see Wyatt wanting to coach this team. A Texas base and sprinkle in a couple Cal and Florida guys. Then get them to join the transfer portal to ensure he wins when Eddie retires fully lol
Quack Quack
Iceland certain to be strong again in 2022
They’ve honestly faltered lately, down to only 35th in the hockey world rankings on the men’s side, after investing a lot of resources into their soccer program. Women are only slightly better at 31.
Don’t see them getting back to the final this year, though their junior side is a bit better than the senior side.
Not LC, Murray needs the walls
I would imagine people like Finke, Jacoby, Foster, Regan and Kieran could probably get their sponsors to bankroll their trips to China. I’d start with them.
Jacoby is too young they need to be in college already
That’s correct. Unless she’s taking some kind of dual credit classes through a local college.
Just send charlie clark to swim every event
Have graduated anytime in the calendar year 2021
No, I think they mean college, since you have to be, or have been recently, a college student to be eligible.
Gotcha.. so the team can only consist of 2021 college graduates??
“or have taken at least one 3-credit course towards a degree or diploma within the last year before the Games.”
no the wording is just stupid. its saying you have to graduate in or after 2021
ty jablo! How hard would it have been to just explain it as you did!
that would be such a fun trip