What is it?
The AAU Junior Olympic Games are the highest-level national competition held annually by the US Amateur Athletic Union. Besides Swimming, over 25 other sports take place at the Games, known as the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States. More

When and where?
This year's games will be held at Des Moines, Iowa.  Swimming is Aug. 3-7 (initial check-in at the Iowa Events Center on Aug. 3; competition at Birdland Swimming Pool).

Who can attend?
All Gator Summer League swimmers are invited to be part of the Gator team that will compete at JOs. This is an outstanding experience for our swimmers and a fun way to end the season on a high note. 

What does it take?
Since all SMSC swimmers are already members of AAU, the only other requirement is that a swimmer must be qualified in one or more events to compete.

How do Swimmers Qualify?
There are two ways to qualify for a JO event:

• By achieving the qualifying time for the event.
• By finishing first, second or third in that event at the Poplar Bluff JO Qualifier meet on June 27th, 2010.

What are the Qualifying Times?

• USA Swimming "BB" times for all 50m and 100m events.
• USA Swimming "A" times for all 200m, 400m and 1500m events.

All times must be in LCM (Long Course Meters).  SCM and SCY times must be converted to LCM and must be for the swimmer's age on the first day of competition (for example, a "BB" time achieved when a swimmer was 10 years old is no longer valid when the swimmer turns 11).  The athlete’s age on the first day of competition determines the age group of the competitor. Pages 5 and 6 of the meet invitation have all qualifying times per event.

Are times from last summer still valid?
Only times achieved after July 17, 2008 are accepted.

How to sign up:
Parents must sign up swimmer(s) individually on the AAU site.  Please follow the instructions in the step-by-step registration guide.  After registering your swimmer(s), please let Steve know you're attending the meet.

What else should parents know?

• All swimmers enter the competition pool daily and attend the Celebration of Athletes on Aug. 3 (optional) with their credentials/ID tags (price included in the meet entry fees).  Parents must purchase daily passes ($12/day) or a "passport" ($40/week). Kids 6 & under are free.  Daily passes and passports are sold at all venues and at registration.
• Hotels usually fill-up fast, so early reservations are recommended. Online reservations can be made through any travel service such as Priceline.com (a recent bid of $70/day for a 2 ½ stars hotel in the Des Moines West area was accepted) or via the Hotel Reservation System (use the password "2190" to get in). Update: Best Western (www.bestwestern.com) has rooms for $80/day + tax.
• Coach Steve will bring copies of the AAU cards for the initial registration, but it's a good idea to print and carry an extra card.  To print an AAU membership card online, go to this website.

Other Useful Links

• Junior Olympic Games Event Handbook: General information such as a welcome letter, entry fees, deadlines, etc.
• JOs Swimming Page: Information specific to the sport of Swimming, including the meet invitation and schedule.
• Directions to the Iowa Events Center: This is the place where initial check-in is done and where the Celebration of Athletes will be held, both on Aug. 3).
• Things to do in Des Moines

Questions?
Contact coach Steve by email (coach@gatorswimteam.org) or by phone (573-986-8155).

Some pictures from previous competitions...