Following the cancellation of its 2021 Swimming Championships back in October, U SPORTS has announced the 2021 University Swimming Challenge in partnership with Swimming Canada.
The virtual competition will give Canadian university swimmers the opportunity to compete after the previous season was cancelled altogether due to the pandemic.
Running for five weeks from Feb. 27 to April 4, all U SPORTS eligible athletes can post times over 41 different events in short course meters (the traditional Canadian university format), with the 100 IM, 200 free relay and 200 medley relay being added to the usual 38-event U SPORTS program.
“We are excited to offer the University Swimming Challenge to provide some meaningful participatory competition for our student-athletes in a safe and virtual manner where possible, while adhering to various provincial and institutional regulations,” said Lisette Johnson-Stapley, Chief Sport Officer at U SPORTS.
“We appreciate the collaboration of Swimming Canada and our swimming membership and community, for proposing a creative concept that will allow us to promote continued development of the sport.”
U SPORTS and Swimming Canada will be publishing weekly online updates featuring team standings, top-ranked swimmers and highlight individual performances.
Iain McDonald, Swimming Canada’s Associate Olympic Program High Performance Director added: “This is a great opportunity for U SPORTS swimmers to once again step on the blocks in a competitive environment and virtually challenge swimmers from other institutions across the country.”
