USMS Position Statement on Performance-Enhancing Drugs

U.S. Masters Swimming condemns the use of performance-enhancing drugs to gain an unfair competitive advantage in Masters competition. USMS is committed to fair competition and to the health and well-being of its members.

USMS is affiliated with World Aquatics through United States Aquatic Sports, and USMS members must comply with applicable World Aquatics rules and Bureau decisions. World Aquatics does not require drug testing for Masters world records, and its anti-doping rules exclude Masters competitions from the criteria for its international testing pools. Consistent with that approach, and after careful consideration, USMS does not conduct drug testing.

Many USMS members take lifesaving, prescribed, and over-the-counter medications, some of which contain substances on the WADA Prohibited List. No member should compromise their health by avoiding a needed medication because of concerns about competitive recognition.

A fair testing program would also be impractical. Records and Top 10 times can be earned at any of the hundreds of events USMS sanctions each year, and testing would place heavy burdens on local volunteers and event hosts and require USMS to handle members’ sensitive medical information.

As an inclusive organization that supports lifelong swimming, USMS will direct its resources toward serving its members and mission.

You can read more on USMS's position statement on performance-enhancing drugs on our FAQs page.