2025 U.S. OPEN
- December 3-6, 2025
- Austin, Texas
- Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
- Prelims: 10 a.m. EST
- Finals: 7 p.m EST (Day 1: 5 p.m. EST)
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
Michael Houlie has had a whirlwind 2025. Right before he was set to compete at the 2025 World University Games, he had to get emergency surgery to remove his appendix. This also meant he had to take 10 weeks out of the water and ease his way back into training, something he was not used to at all. But through the slower pace, Houlie has managed to find joy. In order to pay his bills, the South African is now employed at his alma mater, working as the events manager at the Allan Jones pool, where he also trains. Houlie says that though it is time-consuming and hard, he has enjoyed the balance of work and training. Racing at the US Open, Houlie took a win in the 50 breast, touching in 26.72
I wonder how swimmers that have graduated get visas or green cards to stay in USA these days? Did he have to pay the $100k?
He’s on OPT, which is a year of employment in your field after you graduate. The $100K only applies to H1B visas, and the institution pays it, not the individual.
Thanks. I never heard of OBT. It was a general question and not one directly about Houle. I doubt Tenn would pay $100k but maybe so?
As Gulliver said, the $100k is only for H1B visas. Most elite athletes are in the country on other visa types – their student visas when in college, and then typically a P-1 if they’re continuing to live and train here.
We get requests semi-regularly from athletes to produce a letter affirming their “national or international acclaim” so that they can obtain these kinds of visas.
P-1 visas have a filing fee of about $1,000.
Between him and Van Mathias it really seems like the key to career longevity is working in ops at your old pool and specializing in 50 breast 😂
I’m still not sure how I feel about stroke 50s being added to the Olympic program but I’m happy for guys like Houlie that are 1000% fast twitch 50 guys but weren’t freestylers getting a (deserved) shot at making their Olympic dream come true. Especially since it isn’t exactly easy to financially support yourself as a non top 10 swimmer in the world post university. Stroke 50s better than the EG I guess?