FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., June 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, have partnered to provide COVID-19 testing at USA Swimming events.
Specifically, rapid antigen tests using the BD Veritor™ Plus System will be conducted at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming as an additional safety measure beyond the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing that will also be a part of USA Swimming’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts. These tests will also be utilized at 2021-2022 USA Swimming events where testing is required.
“USA Swimming has prioritized athlete health and safety during this competitive season, emphasizing COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures,” USA Swimming Director of Sports Medicine and Science Keenan Robinson said. “BD’s rapid antigen test, combined with a PCR test, will ensure accurate testing, helping keep everyone involved at USA Swimming safe and in the water.”
BD Veritor™ Plus is a portable, rapid and easy-to-use point-of-care antigen test that detects SARS-CoV-2 — the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 — and provides results in just 15 minutes on a simple, digital display. The on-site testing will be administered for USA Swimming by Premier Medical Group USA, a third-party provider that manages end-to-end testing, which will help overcome challenges that accompany testing in non-medical locations.
“We’re thrilled to be the official COVID-19 testing partner of USA Swimming and to play a part in keeping these athletes safe as they look to fulfill their Olympic dreams,” said Dave Hickey, president of Life Sciences for BD. “We are focused on helping people safely return to the activities they love – including our nation’s top swimmers. We hope this testing with the BD Veritor™ Plus System gives them peace of mind, so they can focus on being the first touch to the wall and achieving their dreams.”
Testing at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming
Throughout the course of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming, more than 2,000 tests using the BD Veritor™ Plus System will be administered. The tests will also be administered at remaining 2021-2022 USA Swimming events, recognizing that COVID-19 testing remains critically important to managing personal and public health.
As an official sponsor of USA Swimming, BD’s partnership is just one example of the company’s work to help our country’s athletes achieve their goals. Whether in the pool or open water, a portable, rapid, easy-to-use system like BD Veritor™ Plus provides reliable and fast COVID-19 test results.
Fans can follow #SwimTrials21 by following @usaswimming on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A Global Leader in the Fight Against COVID
In addition to providing antigen- and molecular-based diagnostics, BD has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response by providing injection devices for vaccine administration, innovative solutions for immunology research and devices that aid in therapeutics. USA Swimming is also committed to ensuring the health and safety of its athletes, coaches and members throughout the pandemic. As part of the Aquatics Coalition, a group of more than 30 water safety and competitive water sports organizations to guide a safer return to water, USA Swimming closely follows guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the pool or at its events.
