Ultramarathon Open Water Championship

Hi 02DF3  - I'm sorry if this change has adjusted your plans for this summer.  USMS entered into a contract with the event director and sanctioned the event as a USMS Open Water National Championship.  However we we're recently informed the event director planned to add a requirement of Covid19 vaccination for all participants.  Unfortunately, the additional restriction on participation doesn't align with USMS's position on vaccination (below) for club and event activities.

'USMS encourages members to be vaccinated for COVID-19, but we understand it is a personal decision based on individual factors. USMS continues to recommend that event directors and clubs follow federal, state, and local health recommendations, guidelines, and requirements for all USMS activities. If a facility, local municipality, or agency requires participant vaccination as a condition of hosting or permitting USMS activities, those requirements must be factored into planning those activities. USMS is not requiring COVID-19 vaccination for participation in sanctioned events or club activities. Please continue to check USMS's COVID-19 resources for events and clubs for safety guidelines and follow all federal, state, and local regulations related to the coronavirus pandemic.  The coronavirus pandemic and its impact on USMS events and clubs is being monitored continuously and updates will be shared as warranted.'

The event director had no plans for verification of vaccination or to consider any exemption for medical, religious or other reasons.  The vaccines are also still in emergency use status. Given those factors, and no state or local guidelines requiring vaccinations or corresponding processes for verification and exemptions, USMS was not comfortable with the new restriction on participation. USMS also felt this event could be held in a safe manner given the size and outdoor venue, and that it was likely a high percentage of participants would be vaccinated by the time of the event, regardless of a requirement. Unfortunately the event director wasn't willing to consider any alternatives and USMS wasn't comfortable moving forward with the event under a USMS sanction. 

The event will be held, just not in partnership with USMS. The event director has informed USMS that he will refund USMS member that no longer wishes to participate. 

Again, I'm sorry this change has impacted your plans.  Hopefully we're at the tail end of event adjustments do to the pandemic and we'll see a return to a more traditional event calendar in 2022.  

Dawson Hughes

CEO

U.S. Masters Swimming

I signed up due to it being a USMS Race. Race Director has said he will refund somewhere between 50-100% of fees paid depending on how many cancel. Kind of a weird policy. He requires notification by April 24.

Sounds like a not  very reasonable race director.