FAQs for USMS's Interim Eligibility Policy
U.S. Masters Swimming has adopted an interim eligibility policy that will go into effect July 1, 2025. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
You can find USMS's transgender inclusion policy, which will remain in effect until June 30, 2025, here.
What is the new interim policy?
The interim policy updates how U.S. Masters Swimming determines eligibility for official competitive recognition programs that include USMS records, Top 10, All-American and All-Star status, placing and scoring of points at all sanctioned events, and all similar LMSC-level competitive recognition programs. This policy applies to every USMS-sanctioned event.
All members may continue to participate in the competition category that aligns with their gender identity. Eligibility for competitive recognition programs will be based on a swimmer’s sex assigned at birth.
I swim primarily for fitness and don’t participate in meets. Does this policy affect me?
No. This policy only affects eligibility for official competitive recognition programs that include USMS records, Top 10, All-American and All-Star status, placing and scoring of points at all sanctioned events, and all similar LMSC-level competitive recognition programs.
Can I still swim in the gender category I identify with?
Yes, you can swim in the competition category that aligns with your gender identity. This policy does not limit participation in events. It only affects whether competitors are eligible for official competitive recognition programs.
Why did USMS adopt this interim policy?
USMS’s Board of Directors and Rules Committee created this interim policy in response to sustained feedback from members concerned about fairness in competition that were raised after the 2025 Spring Nationals in San Antonio and an inquiry from the Texas Attorney General. As a member federation of World Aquatics, USMS decided to model its interim policy after applicable parts of World Aquatics’s Policy on the Eligibility for the Men’s and Women’s Competition Categories.
The board and the Rules Committee are now working to create a permanent policy. They recognize the difficulty of creating a policy that balances USMS’s organizational values of inclusion and fairness of competition and the diverse range of our members’ perspectives, applicable World Aquatics policies, and an evolving legal framework.
Why doesn’t USMS adopt the entirety of World Aquatics’s policy?
World Aquatics provides a global framework for elite-level competitions such as World Championships and the Olympics, whereas USMS serves a very different community. Our policy addresses the unique needs of our members in order to uphold our mission of empowering adults to swim.
World Aquatics specifically recommends that its member federations such as USMS adopt policies that reflect their own environment, one that supports safe, respectful, and inclusive participation for all athletes, including transgender and nonbinary members. World Aquatics suggests its policy be used as a guideline, not a mandate, which is how USMS approached our prior policy and this interim policy.
Many of our members are elite in the Masters ranks, but USMS is much more than just high-level competition. Only about 25% of our membership participates in pool events, and an even smaller percentage are aiming for competitive recognition. Many of our members solely enjoy the lifelong mental and physical health benefits swimming provides. That context is central to how we’ve shaped our policy.
USMS has valued inclusion, fairness, and the integrity of competition throughout our 55-year history. By allowing everyone to participate in the competition category that aligns with their gender identity, while aligning our competitive recognition program eligibility more closely with World Aquatics's policy, we believe we’ve found a balanced approach to those values.
What are the differences between World Aquatics’s policy and USMS’s interim policy?
USMS’s interim policy was modeled after World Aquatics’s policy and closely aligns with it in terms of eligibility for recognition programs. They differ in a few areas.
USMS’s policy applies only to eligibility for USMS competitive recognition programs (such as Top 10s, records, and All-American status) while allowing full participation in events regardless of gender identity. It also allows all members to participate in the competition category that aligns with their gender identity and limits only competitive recognition based on sex assigned at birth. USMS’s policy serves a broad, diverse group of adult swimmers, many of whom swim for fitness, recreation, or community, whereas World Aquatics’s policy was designed for elite, high-performance athletes. USMS’s policy also balances fairness in competitive recognition programs while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusive participation for all adult swimmers.
Why doesn’t USMS adopt the NCAA’s policy?
The NCAA oversees a specific population: college athletes competing for teams. In contrast, USMS serves adult swimmers of all ages, motivations, and backgrounds, the vast majority of whom do not participate in formal recognition programs or pursue elite competition.
The NCAA is also not part of World Aquatics, of which USMS is a member. World Aquatics governs international competitions, including the World Aquatics Masters World Championships, an event USMS members participate in, and has created a separate category of World Aquatics World Masters Records and a World Aquatics Masters Top 10 recognition program.
What are USMS’s competitive recognition programs?
USMS’s competitive recognition programs include USMS records, Top 10, All-American and All-Star status, placing and scoring of points at all sanctioned events, all similar LMSC-level competitive recognition programs. These programs highlight and celebrate competitive achievements within USMS.
What changes does this policy make regarding recognition?
To be eligible for recognition in the women’s category, a swimmer must either have been assigned the female sex at birth or meet specific conditions outlined in the policy.
To be eligible in the men’s category, a swimmer must be assigned male sex at birth or be a transgender man.
These changes were made to ensure fairness in competition while still providing our members who wish to compete with the opportunity to do so. This interim policy also more closely aligns USMS’s policy with the policy of World Aquatics, of which USMS is a member federation.
Does this mean transgender swimmers aren’t welcome?
Not at all. Every swimmer is welcome within USMS. Members can continue to participate fully in the competition category that aligns with their gender identity. We know this change may be difficult for some members, but it doesn’t change our commitment to being an inclusive, respectful, and supportive community.
How do I find out whether I’m eligible for recognition?
If you're unsure whether this policy applies to you, please reach out to us directly at eligibility@usmastersswimming.org. We’ll guide you through the process respectfully and confidentially. Our goal is to make sure you feel supported and informed.
If I don’t meet the eligibility criteria for recognition, what happens to my results?
A swimmer who doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria for recognition programs will still have the opportunity to compete in any event they wish, and their results will still appear in their member record. However, their results will not be included in USMS’s competitive recognition programs.
Does this interim policy affect past results or awards I’ve earned?
No. The interim policy applies starting July 1, 2025, and does not retroactively affect prior awards or rankings.
Why doesn’t USMS create an open category for those who don’t fit specifically into the male or female competition category for recognition?
Although the open category may seem like a fair solution, in practice, it’s not feasible for USMS. With 17 age groups for both men and women and a relatively small number of members who may be ineligible for recognition programs under the current policy, creating a third “open” recognition category would result in extremely limited participation, often none at all.
World Aquatics has seen little or no participation in tests of its open category since it was introduced in 2023. The lack of viable competition undermines the intended purpose of recognition programs, which are designed to celebrate competitive achievement within a sizeable peer group.
USMS continues to welcome all members to participate fully in the competition category that aligns with their gender identity and remains committed to creating an inclusive, respectful environment for all swimmers. At the same time, recognition programs require a workable competitive structure, one that the open category idea doesn’t provide.
Will this policy change again?
USMS will continue to align with applicable World Aquaticspolicies and will evaluate adjustments to the policy and associated procedures when World Aquatics’s policy is amended or when additional information on transgender, non-binary, and DSD participation evolves, particularly as it relates to swimming.
How can I provide feedback or ask questions about USMS’s interim policy?
Feedback or other questions on the policy can be submitted to eligibility@usmastersswimming.org.
How does USMS address the usage of bathrooms and locker rooms as it relates to transgender members at USMS events?
USMS members and all people otherwise attending a USMS event are expected to follow all applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as facility rules, regarding access to bathrooms and locker rooms.
It’s important to note that USMS’s interim policy is solely focused on event participation and requirements to be eligible for competitive recognition. The policy doesn’t address or apply to the use of bathrooms and locker rooms. As always, USMS encourages host facilities, clubs, and meet organizers to create a welcoming space for all participants and follow all local, state, and federal regulations.
