Swimming in the United States

This process was made more complex because the United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics and, during this time, the leadership of the sport was in flux.

The recruiting process for collegiate swimming often starts on 1 July following the athlete's junior year of high school.

[19] That date marks the day that college coaches can contact athletes via phone to discuss possibly swimming for their team.

The trips are funded by the athletic department and are known as structured sales pitches designed to impress the student-athlete.

[21] Swimmers most often base their college decisions on how well they mesh with the existing team and coaching staff, the location of the school, the academic opportunities, and the cost of attendance.

Once admitted however, academic regulation and policies, such as mandated study hall and credit hours, are strictly enforced.

Swimmers that choose to compete in Divisions I through III adhere to the rules set by the NCAA.

[23] The collegiate swimming season spans from mid-October to mid-March and ends with the NCAA Championship meet.

College swimmers: stop hazing and initiation drinking events for new members of your teams.

[36] In 2023 and 2024, the swimming program at Boston College and the men's team at the University of Notre Dame, respectively, were placed on one-year suspensions for issues related to hazing.

[40][41][42][43] Simone Manuel was the first African American woman to win a gold medal in Olympic swimming.