Key Takeaways
- USA Swimming has increased its financial support for professional National Team athletes, with annual funding rising from $39,000 to $45,000 for those who sign the Athlete Partnership Agreement (APA).
- The increased funding will take effect immediately for athletes enrolled in the Athlete Performance Funding (APF) program who have agreed to the APA.
- Professional athletes who do not sign the APA will receive $27,000 annually, while NCAA and prospective NCAA athletes will receive $21,000.
- The top 60 pool swimming athletes (30 men and 30 women) will receive APF based on their ranking and performance in Olympic events.
- The increased payments began in January and will run through August 31, 2026.
Introduction to USA Swimming’s Increased Funding
USA Swimming has officially announced an increase in financial support for its professional National Team athletes. This news was first broken by CEO Kevin Ring on the SwimSwam Podcast last month, and the organization has now made it official in a press release. The increased funding is a significant development for the sport, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the athletes who compete at the highest level. The funding increase will take effect immediately for athletes enrolled in the Athlete Performance Funding (APF) program who have agreed to the Athlete Partnership Agreement (APA).
Details of the Funding Increase
The increased funding will see athletes who sign the APA receive an annual payment of $45,000, which is a 15% increase from the previous amount of $39,000. This works out to a monthly payment of $3,750. Professional athletes who do not sign the APA will receive $27,000 annually, which is $2,250 per month. NCAA and prospective NCAA athletes will receive $21,000 annually, which is $1,750 per month. The funding amounts for the 2025-26 season are as follows: $45,000 for qualified professional athletes who sign the APA, $27,000 for qualified professional athletes who do not sign the APA, and $21,000 for qualified NCAA athletes and pre-enrollment NCAA eligible athletes.
Eligibility Criteria for Athlete Performance Funding
The top 60 pool swimming athletes (30 men and 30 women) will receive Athlete Performance Funding based on their ranking and performance in Olympic events. The criteria for eligibility are as follows: athletes must have qualified for the 2025-26 U.S. National Team and be ranked #1 in their respective individual Olympic event(s). Alternatively, athletes must have qualified for the 2025-26 U.S. National Team and be ranked #2, 3, or 4 in the 100 and 200 free. If all athletes listed above have qualified for funding and fewer than 30 athletes per gender meet the requirements, all remaining members of the National Team who are ranked #2 in their respective event will be ranked based on their fastest percentage of the World Aquatics ‘A’ standard in their event.
Open Water Athletes and Funding
For open water athletes, the top four (two men and two women) will receive APF based on their performance in the 10K event at the 2025 World Championships. The criteria for eligibility are as follows: the highest place finisher in the 10K at the 2025 World Championships, the 2nd highest finisher in the 10K at the 2025 World Championships, and if an athlete didn’t finish the event due to injury, illness, or safety concerns, they will be considered a "finisher." Joey Tepper and Dylan Gravley were the top two American finishers in the men’s 10K last summer at Worlds, while Mariah Denigan and Brinkleigh Hansen were the top two U.S. women.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The increased funding for professional National Team athletes is a significant development for USA Swimming, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the sport. The funding increase will help to support athletes as they prepare for international competitions, and it will also help to attract and retain top talent in the sport. The eligibility criteria for Athlete Performance Funding are designed to reward athletes who perform well in Olympic events, and they will help to ensure that the funding is targeted towards athletes who have the potential to succeed at the highest level. Overall, the increased funding is a positive step forward for USA Swimming, and it will help to support the development of the sport in the years to come.