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All competitors in sanctioned events must be USMS members or a member of a FINA-recognized national governing body for Masters swimming. This is necessary for the safety and enjoyment of the swimmers, for liability and excess personal accident insurance coverage to be in force, and for official consideration of performances.  For additional information on insurance coverage, refer to the “Insurance Swim Meet Coverage Grid” in the LMSC handbook found on the USMS web site under the tab: Administration.  Times achieved at sanctioned events, conducted in strict compliance with all mandatory swimming rules of the USMS rule book, as defined in part 1, are considered for USMS national records, USMS Top Ten times, and FINA world records, if the pool meets USMS length measurement requirements.  Meet entry forms must specify whether the pool meets these requirements or not. Competitions held in pools that do not meet the measurement requirements may apply for sanctions and insurance coverage will be in force, if the requirements above are met.

The Gulf LMSC sanction fee is $70. per event.  This includes a $50 refundable deposit.  The deposit will be refunded if the meet results are turned in to the Top Ten Recorder and Gulf Web Manager in the proper format and in a timely manner.  If an event fails to meet these conditions, the deposit will be forfeited and the event may be charged an increased sanction fee the following year.

In a recognized event, swimmers are not required to be USMS members. But, only USMS members are covered by liability and excess personal accident insurance. For additional information on insurance coverage, refer to the “Insurance Swim Meet Coverage Grid” in the LMSC handbook found on the USMS web site under the tab: Administration. Times achieved at recognized events may be considered for USMS national records and Top Ten times if the pool meets measurement requirements, the event has been granted recognition and a designated USMS observer is present and verifies in writing that the conduct of the competition conforms to the relevant USMS swimming rules and administrative regulations. A Meet Director that wishes to arrange for a USMS observer should contact an officer of the Gulf LMSC well in advance of the competition.   Times achieved at events sanctioned by USA Swimming or SCN, or FINA championships, shall be considered for USMS national records and Top Ten times without formal application for recognition. It is the responsibility of the swimmer to submit times obtained in recognized events, along with complete documentation (such as the pool measurement form and meet results), to the LMSC Top Ten recorder from the LMSC in which the event is held. 

The Gulf LMSC fee for recognized competitions with a USMS host is $70.  This includes a $50 refundable deposit.  The deposit will be refunded if the meet results are turned in to the Top Ten Recorder and Gulf Web Manager in the proper format and in a timely manner.  If an event fails to meet these conditions, the deposit will be forfeited and the event may be charged an increased sanction fee the following year.

In addition to swimming competitions, clinics or exhibition events may apply to be a recognized event.  The Gulf LMSC fee for recognized events that are clinics, exhibitions or competitions that are not hosted by a USMS organization is $20. per event.  Contact the Gulf LMSC Sanction Chairperson for further information, if you have questions.