Eligibility for Competition
In order for swimmers to be compliant with USA Swimming regulations and WSC Team policies, please be sure your swimmer is eligible for competition by remaining compliant and in good standing with USA Swimming regarding registration policies, SafeSport policies [Athlete Protection Training for adult athletes], and our Anti-doping compliance.
| Registration
All swimmers expecting to compete must be registered athletes with USA Swimming. Registration and validity of all athletes will be verified by the Missouri Valley Swimming Registration Chair or adjunct governing body. Those not registered or found invalid will not be allowed to compete.
Returning Collegiate athletes must be registered with Wichita Swim Club through TeamUnify AND USA Swimming to be eligible for competition.
If you are a collegiate athlete returning home for the summer and intend to train and compete with WSC, you must be registered for both our club (through TeamUnify) and USA Swimming. Athletes 18 years of age and older are required to also complete the Athlete Protection Training course or the refresher course to be in good standing.
Returning swimmers will also be expected to adhere to the Wichita Swim Club Athlete Code of Conduct for the duration of their summer training. Those committed to training and competing with the National Squad will do so at the discretion of the Head Coach in accordance with the Training and Best Practices for National.
| Athlete Protection Training/APT Refresher Course for Athletes 18+
All athletes are required to complete their APT training annually once they turn 18. In terms of USA Swimming’s Rules and Regulations, a person is not in good standing if this requirement is not met. Coaches, officials AND adult athletes are not authorized to be at practice, competitions, or other team sanctioned events if APT or the APT Refresher course has not been completed for that year.
Swimmers not in compliance will not be eligible to participate in any WSC team related event until they complete certification. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the athlete.
Please be sure adult athletes 18 and older log in to their personal USA Swimming account to take the course. This cannot be done through a parent login. Use this link for instructions on creating a login for an athlete from the parent login.
A walkthrough for Athlete Protection Training is posted on the MV site at this link. It is a step-by-step process for anyone needing Athlete Protection Training, not just athletes. If your swimmer(s) will be turning 18 during the season, expect an email from USA Swimming and make every effort to help your athlete stay in good standing with USA Swimming.
| USA Swimming Clean Sport 101
You can find information on this page regarding the testing policies, protocols and the organizations working for Clean Sport. You can also visit the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA's) Anti-Doping 101 for detailed information on a variety of important topics that encompass anti-doping responsibilities for athletes, coaches, parents and athlete support personnel.
Anti-Doping | USA Swimming
Wichita Swim Club and Anti-doping Compliance
Wichita Swim Club upholds the Clean Sport initiative, as we are committed to clean competition. Athletes and Parents must check the status of all medications/product ingredients prior to using them, and ensure that they have filed the necessary paperwork to be in the strictest compliance with doping control rules. Upon registering with WSC and USA Swimming, you (parent/guardian) and your athlete acknowledge that it is your responsibility to take the necessary steps to become and remain compliant. Anti-Doping, Eligibility and Code of Conduct are outlined in the USA Swimming Rulebook [Page 4; Pg. 88 Article 303.1 - 303.8; 304.1 - 304.3].
How can I ensure clean competition and that my athlete is compliant?
It is your job as a parent/guardian/athlete to obtain the TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) and confirm that your athlete is compliant. Wichita Swim Club and it’s coaching staff are not responsible for athletes/members who knowingly or unknowingly are not in compliance; medical needs are personal and confidential and should remain as such. This information should only be discussed and disclosed with USADA and relevant parties.
WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)? | Athletics Integrity Unit
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is an official medical document giving an athlete permission to take a medication that is ordinarily prohibited for the treatment of a legitimate condition. It is only valid for a given period of time. It is a documented medical file approved by a TUE Committee accepting that there is a legitimate need to take medication and no equal alternative available. Click the link above to learn more.
Medications requiring a TUE can be determined by following the steps below.
Step 1: Find out the status of your prescription and over-the-counter medications at Global DRO: https://www.globaldro.com/US/search This includes some ADD/ADHD medications, inhaled medications, etc.
Step 2: Compare the results to the In-Competition and Out-of-Competition Global DRO Results vs. TUE Recommendations Chart listed at USADA.org: https://www.usada.org/athletes/testing/tue/determine/
Step 3: TUE PRE-CHECK FORM: Please complete and submit the form available through the link above to determine if you need to apply for a TUE for your medication in question.
How Athletes Can Safely Use Cold and Flu Products
What Do Athletes with ADHD Need to Know About TUEs?
What Athletes Need to Know About Inhaled Medications: Inhaler FAQ
USADA Coach’s Advantage
In accordance with USA Swimming, all members of the Coaching Staff are required to complete the USADA Coach’s Advantage Tutorial every two years to be in good standing with USA Swimming. USADA Coach’s Advantage is a comprehensive, online educational tutorial comprised of video modules and a quiz. The lessons cover the WADA Prohibited List and Code changes, the sample collection process, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and Whereabouts responsibilities.
Reporting Guidelines
The best part of the sport of swimming is the sense of community, camaraderie and the ability to build meaningful life-long relationships. The medical needs of any member of WSC are not for speculation, as this could jeopardize our team’s reputation and negatively impact our team culture, inter athlete relationships and experience with swimming for all parties involved. If you have an issue, complaint or coaching concern, they should be addressed immediately and directly with your child’s primary coach first and then, if unsatisfied (or for non-coaching-related concerns), directly report to the Head Coach and/or a WSC Board Member in accordance with our reporting guidelines outlined in the Parent Code of Conduct and Athlete Code of Conduct.
Resources:
WADA www.wada-ama.org
FINA www.fina.org | USOPC www.teamusa.org | USADA www.usada.org |
