USA Swimming Announces Application Period for National Diversity Select Camp

Derek Young

USA Swimming Announces Application Period for National Diversity Select Camp

 

The application for the 2022 National Diversity Select Camp will open on USA Swimming’s website tomorrow, Tuesday February 1, 2022. The 2022 National Diversity Select Camp is currently scheduled to be held May 5-8, 2022, at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

From USA Swimming’s website the goal of the National Diversity Select Camp is:

To empower athletes from diverse backgrounds and under-represented populations to:
 

  • Demonstrate the viability of multicultural success in swimming
  • Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport
  • Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming
  • Be positive leaders and role models that others from multicultural backgrounds can emulate. 

 

QUALIFYING STANDARDS

Athletes must have achieved at least one National Diversity Select Camp time standard to apply for selection. These times are AAAA National Motivational Times for 13-14 year olds. Times must have been achieved in a USA Swimming sanctioned or approved meet (able to be proven in the SWIMS database).

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

The National Diversity Select Camps are application based. USA Swimming will provide a link to apply and will notify athletes of selection no later than six weeks prior to the start of camp. Athletes will be notified directly via email if they have been accepted to the camp. Coaches and parent(s)/guardian(s) will also be copied on this notification.

The application will be available beginning February 1, 2022.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

The camp will consist of 28 athletes from each competition category (male and female).

14 athletes from each competition category will be selected based on 2021 LCM IMX point scores.

Then, the fastest applicant in each event will be invited for a total of 14 athletes from each competition category. Only LCM times will be accepted.

Additionally, 3 athletes from each competition category may be selected based on outstanding performance in one or more events.

Additionally, 5 athletes from each competition category may be selected based on Outreach membership status.

Athletes must represent an underrepresented community and/or an ethnically underrepresented population that is less than 10% of the current USA Swimming membership. These populations can include African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American and others. Other athletes may be accepted if they represent another underrepresented demographic (e.g., LGBTQ+).

 

CAMP ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying period: September 1, 2020, through August 31, 2021. Only LCM times will be considered.

Eligible athletes will be 14-16 years of age as of the first day of camp, May 5, 2022.

 

NOTE: Athletes who wish to attend the National Diversity Select Camp shall be US Citizens and be able to represent the USA in international competitions. Athletes who are on or have been on any National Select Camps, National Teams/National Junior Teams or USA Swimming international trips, including the 2019, 2020 or 2021 National Junior team will not be eligible for the National Diversity Select Camp. Athletes who previously attended the National Diversity Select Camp are not eligible. Athletes cannot attend Zone Select Camp & National Diversity Select Camp in the same year. Athletes must be Premium USA Swimming members. Flex members must upgrade their membership to be eligible to attend.

 

COST

Each athlete selected for the camp will be provided lodging, meals, ground transportation to/from the designated airport and full airfare.

 

SCHEDULE

The National Diversity Select Camp will consist of five in-water sessions and a number of classroom sessions. These camps are designed to be a motivational experience for athletes and are not heavy training camps.