*** Effective December 2021: Since you are requesting to sanction a pool event, a meet announcement (event details accompanied by the entry form) document is required. COMPLETE THIS FORM to submit the required meet announcement and any supplemental documents (i.e., COVID-19 addendum, safety plan, etc.), for your sanction application.

Entries shall not be accepted before the sanction has been issued. If you have questions, please contact events@usmastersswimming.org.***

Please be aware that your LMSC will be billed a $50 sanction fee after the event takes place. Your LMSC may choose to fully absorb this cost, or may contact you about sharing the cost.

An event sanctioned by USMS, Inc., through one of its Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSC), must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Conduct of the event must be in strict compliance with applicable swimming rules and administrative regulations of USMS, Inc. A current USMS rule book must be available at the event.
2. Entries shall not be accepted before the sanction has been issued. Paper forms shall not be distributed, online entry systems shall not be activated, and the event shall not be listed as sanctioned on the USMS Calendar of Events until the sanction has been issued. (Article 202.1.1.B)
3. Referees shall be certified in this capacity by a USMS-approved certifying body, as defined by the USMS Officials Committee. Starters or stroke and turn judges certified by one of these bodies may serve as referees if they receive training on specific duties of the referee. See Article 103.3 of the USMS rule book for certification requirements.
4. Entry forms and programs must bear the statement "Sanctioned by (LMSC name) for USMS, Inc." Event entry forms and programs may include the statement "Sanction number ___." (Article 202.1.1.A)
5. Meet information shall include ONE of the following statements:
0. The length of the competition course without a bulkhead is in compliance and on file with USMS in accordance with articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1.
1. The length of the competition course has been measured and is NOT in compliance with USMS articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1: Times achieved in the meet will NOT be eligible for USMS Top 10 and records.
2. The length of the competition course is not on file with USMS. Eligibility of times achieved in this meet will be contingent upon pool length measurement and approval with USMS; if bulkheads are present, their placement must also be confirmed by measurements at the meet (articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1).
3. The length of the competition course is in compliance and on file with USMS in accordance with articles 105.1.7 and 106.2.1, but as a bulkhead course, is subject to length confirmation. Eligibility of times for USMS Top 10 and records will be contingent on verification of bulkhead placement.
6. No sanction of any event shall be granted with the word “Olympic” or the word “Paralympic” or any derivative thereof used in any manner in connection with said event unless consent is obtained from the USOPC. (Article 202.1.1.E)
7. Events labeled as 'Choice' or 'Open,' where any stroke is allowed, will not be eligible for records or Top Ten and cannot be included in a Top Ten submission. (Article 105.2.1 and 102.5.2)
8. If this event is a competition, results and required Pool Length Certifications Form(s) must be submitted in proper format within 14 days of the event to the LMSC Top 10 Recorder, the LMSC Sanctions Chair, and events@usmastersswimming.org. See Appendix B of the rule book (PREPARATION OF MEET RESULTS and POOL LENGTH CERTIFICATION form) for proper format. 

All competitors must hold current USMS registrations or valid travel permits or their equivalents, or have other acceptable proof of current Masters swimming registration, and must be 18 years of age or over (Article 202.1).

Entry forms shall contain the language of the liability release as stated in USMS policy:  PDF. All swimmers shall have signed the liability release before participating. (202.1.1.A(1))

             PARTICIPANT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

For and in consideration of United States Masters Swimming, Inc. (“USMS”) allowing me, the undersigned, to participate in any USMS sanctioned or approved activity, including swimming camps, clinics, and exhibitions; learn-to-swim programs; swimming tryouts; fitness and training programs (including dryland training); swim practices and workouts (for both pool and open water); pool meets; open water competitions; local, regional, and national competitions and championships (both pool and open water); and/or related activities (“Event” or “Events”); I, for myself, and on behalf of my spouse, children, heirs and next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, hereby agree to and make the following contractual representations pursuant to this Waiver and Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement (the “Agreement”);

1. I hereby certify and represent that (i) I am in good health and in proper physical condition to participate in the Events; and (ii) I have not been advised of any medical conditions that would impair my ability to safely participate in the Events. I agree that it is my sole responsibility to determine whether I am sufficiently fit and healthy enough to participate in the Events.
2. I acknowledge the inherent risks associated with the sport of swimming. I understand that my participation involves risks and dangers, which include, without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, sickness and disease, permanent disability, paralysis and death (from drowning or other causes); loss of or damage to personal property and equipment; exposure to extreme conditions and circumstances; accidents involving other participants, event staff, volunteers or spectators; contact or collision with natural or manmade objects; dangers arising from adverse weather conditions; imperfect water conditions; water and surface hazards; facility issues; equipment failure; inadequate safety measures; participants of varying skill levels; situations beyond the immediate control of the Event organizers; and other undefined, not readily foreseeable and presently unknown risks and dangers (“Risks”). I understand that these Risks may be caused in whole or in part by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Events, or the negligent acts or omissions of the Released Parties defined below, and I hereby expressly assume all such Risks and responsibility for any damages, liabilities, losses or expenses that I incur as a result of my participation in any Events.
3. I agree to be familiar with and to abide by the Rules and Regulations,  ]including the Code of Conduct and any safety regulation established by USMS. I accept sole responsibility for my own conduct and actions while participating in the Events.
4. I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19, or other viral or bacterial infection, while participating in any of the Events, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I agree that if I have a fever, cough, feel short of breath, have any other symptoms, have knowingly been exposed to a communicable disease such as COVID-19 I agree not to participate in USMS activities for a minimum of 10 days from the date the symptoms started, until the symptoms have subsided or I have been cleared by a doctor. If I test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days following participation in a USMS activity, I will notify the USMS event director, coach or club administrator immediately.
5. I hereby Release, Waive and Covenant Not to Sue, and further agree to Indemnify, Defend and Hold Harmless the following parties: USMS, its members, clubs, workout groups, event hosts, employees, and volunteers (including, but not limited to, event directors, coaches, officials, judges, timers, safety marshals, lifeguards, and support boat owners and operators); the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation; USMS Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSCs); the Event organizers and promoters, sponsors and advertisers; pool facility, lake and property owners or operators hosting the Events; law enforcement agencies and other public entities providing support for the Events; and each of their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, officers, directors, partners, shareholders, members, agents, employees, and volunteers (individually and collectively, the “Released Parties”), with respect to any liability, claim(s), demand(s), cause(s) of action, damage(s), loss or expense (including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any kind or nature (“Liability”) which may arise out of, result from, or relate in any way to my participation in the Events, including claims for Liability caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts or omissions of the Released Parties.
6. I further agree that if, despite this Agreement, I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim for Liability against any of the Released Parties, I will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any such Liabilities which any may be incurred as the result of such claim.

I hereby warrant that I am of legal age and competent to enter into this Agreement, that I have read this Agreement carefully, understand its terms and conditions, acknowledge that I will be giving up substantial legal rights by signing it (including the rights of my spouse, children, heirs and next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns), acknowledge that I have signed this Agreement without any inducement, assurance, or guarantee, and intend for my signature to serve as confirmation of my complete and unconditional acceptance of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement represents the complete understanding between the parties regarding these issues and no oral representations, statements, or inducements have been made apart from this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

                Revised 09/21/2023 

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Providing as much information as possible allows USMS and your local LMSC to provide you, your event, and your workers the best possible service and benefits.

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Head Referee

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Organization:	Topeka Swim Association
Name:	Richard Allen
Email Address:	rallen@wattsandassociates.com
Phone Number:	(406) 208-2869
Address 1:	PO Box 3755
Address 2:	None Entered
City:	Topeka
State:	KS
Zip Code:	66604
Country:	United States Of America

Event Director

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Organization:	Topeka Swim Association
Name:	Aaron Strother
Email Address:	strother1986@gmail.com
Phone Number:	(785) 260-4146
Address 1:	PO Box 3755
Address 2:	None Entered
City:	Topeka
State:	KS
Zip Code:	66604
Country:	United States Of America

Data Coordinator

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Organization:	Topeka Swim Association
Name:	Aaron Strother
Email Address:	strother1986@gmail.com
Phone Number:	(785) 260-4146
Address 1:	PO Box 3755
Address 2:	None Entered
City:	Topeka
State:	KS
Zip Code:	66604
Country:	United States Of America

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