As Some States Reopen, The Fate of Summer Leagues and Competitions Are Still Looming

Northern Virginia Swimming League Cancels Season Officially, But Unofficial Meets Might Go On

The 2020 Northern Virginia Swimming League summer season has been canceled because of COVID-19, however, some unofficial competitions could still take place.

The virus hit Virginia in March and wiped out high school and recreation competitions. States and governing bodies are making decisions all over the country about the summer seasons.

“We feel profound sadness knowing the disappointment this will cause, but the decision was made to prioritize the safety of our participants, supporters and communities,” the Northern Virginia Swimming League executive board said in a statement that was posted on the league Website.

If pools are permitted to re-open this summer, unofficial meets could occur on a case-by-case basis.

“Depending on comfortability of the situation, that has already been talked about and could be set up,” Overlee coach Andrew Coons told the Sun Gazette.

Find out how NVSL might have unofficial competition by clicking the button below!

Georgia Gives Public Swimming Pools the Green Light to Open

Georgia public swimming pools will be allowed to re-open this week, Governor Brian Kemp confirmed on Tuesday. Like many other states, public pools will need to adhere to a strict set of guidelines, including but not limited to: limiting gatherings to 10 people where six-feet distances cannot be maintained.

“They can reopen if they comply with all applicable requirements,” a statement from the governor’s office said. “Operators need to contact their local health department to determine if and when they need an inspection, what local mandates apply, etc. The Governor’s order still requires that, even if they are open, users must comply with social distancing mandates, and the large gathering ban applies where more than ten people in a single location must maintain at least six feet between each person.”

Learn more about how Georgia is planning to reopen below!

UK Government Issues Guidelines For Elite Athletes To Return To Training; British Swimming Responds

The UK Government have issued guidance on how elite athletes can return to training in Britain as lockdown measures against the coronavirus are eased.

A working group comprising the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Public Health England (PHE), the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and UK Sport collaborated with major sports governing bodies.

Different sports are expected to return to training at different times while they are urged to make athlete welfare their top priority.

Measures include;

• Athletes opting to return to training with individual sports agreeing on the conditions for the resumption.
• All athletes and support staff to have one-to-one assessments prior to their return.
• Each sport to name an existing member of staff as COVID-19 officer as well as appointing a COVID-19 medical officer.
• Social distancing measures to be applied with people keeping two metres apart.

Click the button below to read more on British Swimming's reopening guidelines!

Cal State University Campuses Closed Through Fall; How Sports Seasons Affected Uncertain

The Cal State University system, which consists of 23 campuses across the Golden State, said it plans to cancel all in-person classes for the fall semester and to continue with online instruction due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from ABC7 in California. This is the first major state school to remain closed for the fall semester as this decision could become the first domino to fall and other schools around the United States may follow suit.

“This virtual planning approach for the next academic year is necessary because of the evolving data surrounding the progression of COVID 19,” CSU Chancellor Timothy White explained to CSU trustees.

According to reports, White said non-partisan researchers and health experts forecast additional waves of infection coupled with the flu season in the fall. He added the public immunity rate is very low, and it is not likely a vaccine will be developed during the academic year.

Click below to read more on CSU's decision!

Swimming Pool Facility Water Unlikely to Spread Coronavirus According to Expert

Will it be safe to swim in a swimming pool? A Purdue University expert says yes as long as the air quality is up to standard and locker room surfaces and handrails, etc. are constantly disinfected.

Ernest “Chip” Blatchley III, an Environmental Engineering professor at Purdue University, says there is no data to show how the coronavirus responds to chlorine, but that chlorine effectively inactivates similar viruses.

Blatchley researches how chlorine in swimming pools reacts with contaminants such as human body fluids, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, according to a news release from Purdue University. 

Read the full story by clicking the button below.