European Aquatics Confirms Conditions For European Masters Swimming Championships

Courtesy: LEN

LEN – European Aquatics is pleased to confirm the entry conditions for the swimming and open water swimming events scheduled to take place at the European Masters Swimming Championships this November.

The beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira will host the Masters from 19-25 November. A full week of racing awaits the Masters swimmers at the spectacular Penteada Olympic Swimming Pools Complex, whilst open water swimmers will also be welcomed with 1.5km and 3km distances set to take place in the breathtaking Lido Bathing Complex.

Early Bird Registrations (which permit 10% discount on all accommodation) will officially open on Wednesday, 6 September. The final booking deadline for all attendees is Saturday, 30 September.

LEN can now confirm that it is no longer mandatory for ‘Family & Friends’ to pay the registration fee, however, those attending the competition without registration will not be able to use the official transportation network.

Also confirmed are the official entry conditions for all participants who wish to compete in the swimming and open water events, which most notably includes confirmation that no qualifying times are required, but instead participants are required to have swum the event in the last two years and to have registered a time in that event.

Swimming (Men and Women):

• Freestyle 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m;
• Breaststroke 50 m, 100 m, 200 m;
• Backstroke 50 m, 100 m, 200 m;
• Butterfly 50 m, 100 m, 200 m;
• Individual Medley 100m, 200 m;
• Freestyle Relay 4 x 50 m;
• Medley Relay 4 x 50 m;
• Mixed Freestyle Relay 4 x 50 m (2 women and 2 men);
• Mixed Medley Relay x 50 m (2 women and 2 men).

Open Water (Men and Women):

• 1.5 km
• 3.0 km

Competitors shall be eligible for a club either affiliated to a Member Federation or affiliated to a Federation registered by LEN. (according to rule MA-G 2.1)

All competitors must be citizens of a country corresponding to the domicile of at least one LEN member federation or they must have resided continuously for twelve months in a country corresponding to the domicile of at least one LEN member federation before start of the competition. Proof of citizenship or residence for the last twelve months is required and must be proofed when asked by the organizer. (according to rule MA-G 2.3)

Entries, including signed Release of Liability by every competitor, shall be sent to the Organising Committee together with one photo (passport size). With full front view of the face (passport standard form). (according to rule MA-G 2.4)

The Organising Committee shall check name, age, proof of citizenship/residence and entries before handing out the accreditation card. (according to rules MA-G 3.3 and MA-G 2.3)

The Organising Committee has the right to limit entries if there are too many, taking into account the relevant facilities. In case there are too many entries, the number of events each person may contest will be limited first on a daily and secondly on an individual basis. There shall be no restrictions for entries to relays.

Competitors may, in Open Water, be entered both for the 1.5 km and 3.0 km.

No qualifying times are required, but instead, participants are required to have swum the event in the last two years and to have registered a time in that event. The Organizing Committee will be responsible for verification. If a swimmer clearly fails to achieve the time she/he has registered by over 10% without obvious reason, he/she may be excluded from all upcoming individual events, both in the Swimming competition and Open Water competition.

In Open Water, cut-off time is 30 minutes per kilometer. (according to rule MA-OW 2.4)

In Open Water, cut-off time is 30 minutes per kilometer. (according to rule MA-OW 2.4)

Competitors participating in 400 m and 800 m races shall confirm their participation to the Organising Committee no later than six o’clock p.m. (18.00 hrs) on the day prior to the event. (according to rule MA-SV 2.1)

Competitors in Open Water shall confirm their participation to the Organising committee not later than twelve o’clock p.m. (12.00) on the day prior to the event. (according to rule MA-OW 2.1)

Clubs participating in Relay Events shall confirm their participation and submit the names of the competitors and the order of swimming no later than six o’clock p.m. (18.00 hrs) on the day prior to the event. Reserve swimmers are not allowed in Relay Events. (according to rule MA-SW 2.2)

As already confirmed, swimmers who book via LEN or the Organising Committee will receive several benefits including lower registration fees (also for coaches), whilst the LOC will also offer free transportation to and from Madeira Airport, as well as the venue each day during the competition.

Those wishing to register without the accommodation package will therefore incur higher registration and event fees in order to cover transportation, facility amenities and other aspects of the organization of a European Masters Championships.

For more information and updates regarding the European Masters Swimming Championships, please visit the official LEN website at LEN.eu.