U.S. Masters swimming appears to be the primary swimming organization (i.e., governing body) for adult swimmers, and there appears to be corresponding organizations in other countries. I assume, however, that there is at least one more organization for adult swimmers, particularly for elite swimmers (e.g., Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe, Katie Hoff).
My basic question is what organization do these elite swimmers belong to? Besides the Olympics, what organization organizes meets for them? More than anything, I am curious about what other swimming organizations there are, and why Masters is not the organization of choice for elite swimmers? If the Olympics were not being held in the near future, would these elite swimmers be at the Long Course Nationals in Oregon?
Maybe this is a basic question, but I am trying to understand the swimming world a little better.
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Former Member
In the US, the organization that has been recognized by the USOC for selecting the Olympic team and National teams is USA Swimming, so the "elite" (i.e., Olympic and National team) swimmers all belong to that. USA Swimming also has jurisdiction of age-group swimming under 18. Some elite swimmers also swim in the NCAA (college).
But there are Olympic and world-class swimmers who are members of USMS and compete in USMS meets (Gary Hall, Jr., for example). USMS is simply age-group swimming over 18, and doesn't have a role selecting US Olympic and National teams.
In the US, the organization that has been recognized by the USOC for selecting the Olympic team and National teams is USA Swimming, so the "elite" (i.e., Olympic and National team) swimmers all belong to that. USA Swimming also has jurisdiction of age-group swimming under 18. Some elite swimmers also swim in the NCAA (college).
But there are Olympic and world-class swimmers who are members of USMS and compete in USMS meets (Gary Hall, Jr., for example). USMS is simply age-group swimming over 18, and doesn't have a role selecting US Olympic and National teams.
