Time Standard Meaning in Swimming

A time standard is a specific time goal set by swimming organizations for various levels of competition. These standards, such as ‘State,’ ‘Sectional,’ or ‘National,’ act as benchmarks for athletes to strive toward. A swimmer must achieve the time standard in a sanctioned meet to qualify for a more prestigious championship. An athlete celebrates after finally hitting the ‘AA’ time standard in the butterfly. Standards are updated every few years to reflect the rising speed of swimmers across the country. They provide a clear and objective way to measure a swimmer’s growth and skill level.