U.S. World Short Course Trials Less Than Two Weeks Away (See Event Schedule)
In a little more than a week, the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Illinois will serve as the host of the United States World Short Course Championships Trials. The meet will be the selection competition for the upcoming World Short Course Champs, scheduled for Dec. 1-6 at the Water Cube in Beijing. The venue was the site of the 2008 Olympic Games, where Michael Phelps producd his legendary eight-gold-medal performance.
This year marks the first time that USA Swimming will hold a trials meet for the World Short Course Champs, having previously selected squads based on long-course qualifying events. Earlier this year, however, USA Swimming National Team Director Greg Meehan announced changes to the organization’s operations, including the addition of a qualifying meet for the World Champs.
“Hosting the Short Course Worlds Championships Trials selection meet for the first time provides an exciting opportunity to evolve how we select our teams,” Meehan said. “It allows athletes to earn selection based on short-course performance, and we are confident this approach will help us send the strongest possible team to Beijing this December.”
The FMC Natatorium has been a regular site of TYR Pro Series competition for several years and will be used for four days of action from Oct. 28-31. While the opening day will feature only the women’s 1500 freestyle and men’s 800 freestyle, the last three days will be packed with 32 events. That type of action-filled slate will likely require scheduling decisions for multi-event athletes, but the format should be highly entertaining for spectators.
Psych sheets for the meet are expected in the coming days. As we await those entry lists, here is a look at the schedule:
