USA Swimming has named Sarasota County as one of the nine host locations for the 2020 Toyota U.S. Open Championships, held from Nov. 12-14, 2020. Selby Aquatic Center, operated by the Sarasota Sharks, will serve as the competition venue. More than 1,800 athletes will be competing asynchronously in the long-course meter across the nation; the competition in Sarasota County will host roughly 150 swimmers. Athletes may include current U.S. National and National Junior Team members, such as local Sarasota Sharks and U.S. National Champion Emma Weyant, as well as other highly ranked swimmers from universities across the state.

In hopes to limit travel for athletes, the once single-event location has been spread to eight other locations, as well, including Beaverton, Ore.; Des Moines, Iowa; Greensboro, N.C.; Huntsville, Ala.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Irvine, Calif.; Richmond, Va.; and San Antonio, Texas. Sarasota County is the southernmost site and holds one of the two outdoor competition facilities. In an effort to provide a secure environment for athletes and spectators due the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sarasota Sharks are working closely with local health officials and Sarasota County staff to configure a plan that abides by both USA Swimming’s standards of COVID-19 sport safety as well as county’s guidelines.

The event will be livestreamed on usaswimming.org and a one-hour broadcast will air on NBC from 3-4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15.