Race organizers have canceled the Central Zone 14 and Under Open Water Swim Championships set for Lake Shawnee in Topeka, Kansas (U.S.A.) on August 4th because of the heat.

In a letter to swimmers, parents and coaches, meet director John Dicus detailed new safety standards from USA Swimming that precludes a swim if the combined water and air temperatures exceed 177.4°F.

With water temperatures in Lake Shawnee not dropping below 88°F over the past week and no let-up in the air temperature forecast, organizers decided to call off the event. Dicus said, “We wanted to make the decision early so [the several hundred swimmers from Kansas and the surrounding states] can plan accordingly.”

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