The International Swimming Hall of Fame announces the 2025 ISHOF Specialty Awards
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the ISHOF Specialty Awards. The ISHOF Specialty Awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year’s awards will be presented on Saturday evening, September 13th in conjunction with the ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal and MISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Ticket information will be forthcoming shortly or call 570 594-4367.
This year’s 2025 ISHOF Specialty Award Recipients:
Barry Goldwater, Jr. (USA) – 2025 Every Child A Swimmer Award
Ludmilla Rosengren (SWE) – 2025 Virginia Hunt Newman Award
Anita Mitchell (USA) – 2025 Buck Dawson Author’s Award: “God Took My Arms but He Gave Me THIS GIFT ~ The Story of Abbas Karimi, PLY”
Terri Mitchell (USA) – 2025 John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award
Cynthia Potter (USA) – 2025 Al Schoenfield Media Award
Barry Goldwater, Jr. — 2025 Every Child A Swimmer Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Every Child A Swimmer Award is Barry Goldwater, Jr. The Every Child A Swimmer Award is presented to someone for their long and exceptional leadership, insight, and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making “Every Child A Swimmer”.
Barry M. Goldwater, Jr. is a distinguished American leader whose influence spans public service, business, and civic advocacy. The son of legendary Arizona Senator and 1964 Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater, Barry Jr. has carved out his own legacy over decades of service and leadership.
Among his most recent and impactful civic achievements, Barry Goldwater, Jr. played a key advisory role in the passage of Arizona’s “Every Child a Swimmer” legislation—a critical child safety law that ensures swimming instruction is accessible to all young students across the state. This initiative aligns with Barry’s lifelong dedication to protecting families and promoting public well-being.
Known for his charisma, tenacity, and deep understanding of both business and government, Barry remains an influential figure across the U.S., continuing to shape policy, advise leaders, and inspire community impact.
About G. Harold Martin: Back in 1908, G. Harold Martin almost drowned in the Ohio River. Over the next two decades drowned two more times. From these experiences evolved a mission to make “Every Child A Swimmer.” His civic involvement led to the building of Fort Lauderdale’s first municipal pool in 1927. Kiwanian sponsored free swim lessons at the pool, and eventually influenced the decision by ISHOF to be in Fort Lauderdale. An active Kiwanian his entire adult life, he was instrumental in making the Key Club an integral club within Kiwanis International and the adoption of Every Child A Swimmer as a Kiwanian project.
Ludmilla Rosengren (SWE)— 2025 Virginia Hunt Newman International Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Ludmilla Rosengren will be the 2025 recipient of the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award.
Dr Ludmilla Rosengren entered the world of infant swimming purely by chance in 1989 when her eldest daughter was two years old and began her swimming lessons. From the very start, she became actively involved and saw opportunities to develop the program. Shortly thereafter, alongside her medical studies, she founded her infant swimming school: Linnéas Simskola.
After completing her medical degree, Rosengren realised that she needed to hire instructors for the school to grow and maintain its quality. In 1997, she took another major step by launching a training program for infant swimming instructors and founded the Swedish Babyswim Association (Svenska Babysimförbundet).
She has also emphasised how crucial it is for parents to be properly prepared and informed, given that the child’s sense of security is entirely dependent on how secure the parents feel. For this reason, she wrote Babysimboken (The Baby Swim Book), which is not only included in beginner courses at her swimming school but is also used by many others and serves as course material for instructor training programs. The book is also available in English.
Since its inception in 1993, Linnéas Simskola has operated in six different cities and 18 different pools. In 2016, Ludmilla built her own swimming facility in Uppsala, where all instruction is now centralized.
About Virginia Hunt Newman: Newman was a swimming instructor of infants, and is best known for developing the non-forceful, non-traumatic method of teaching infants to swim. Her methods and distraction from normal fears associated with learning to swim and rewards for trying and performing skills, have been accepted by thousands of swim instructors world-wide.
Anita Mitchell ~ 2025 Buck Dawson Author’s Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Buck Dawson Author’s Award is Anita Mitchell for her book, “God Took My Arms but He Gave Me THIS GIFT ~ The Story of Abbas Karimi, PLY.
This award is presented by ISHOF in the name of William F. “Buck” Dawson, ISHOF’s founding Executive Director, to an author of work that promotes, educates or entertains individuals about aquatics. He was always spreading the word, and always willing to talk and teach swimming and swimming history to anyone who would listen. He wrote hundreds of articles and was the author of eight books, ranging in subjects from bathing beauties to war, but especially swimming.
Anita Mitchell earned her BA in Communications from Michigan State University in 1972. She taught English in the Broward County School System from 1974-1980. She eventually went back to school and earned her master’s degree in journalism from Florida International University., where she went on to get a job as a freelance writer for the Miami Herald. She was hired in 1989 by WSVN-Channel 7, where she worked for almost thirty years as a Field Producer and writer.
She began swimming for Swim Fort Lauderdale Masters Team in 2004 and still swims there today, which is where she met Abbas Karimi, whom the book is based on. Masters Coach Marty Hendrick is the one who put Anita and Abbas together to write this book.
The Book: God Took My Arms but He Gave Me THIS GIFT, ~ The Story of Abbas Karimi, PLY. by Anita Mitchell
It is the unlikely story of how an armless Afghan boy became a world champion swimmer.
The road to the Olympics and Paralympics comes from unlikely places and often reveals the best of humanity. The future looked bleak for Abbas when he was born armless. With so many other problems in Kabul, Afghanistan, people with disabilities there are a low priority. After years of being bullied he sought refuge and peace in the water where he learned to swim and began to compete.
If 15-year-old Abbas wanted to excel with his unusual skill as a swimmer, he knew that he had to leave his large and close family. How he left, how he traveled through Iran, how he petitioned the UNHCR to come to the United States, how he made the Tokyo refugee Paralympic team, how he became a US citizen and what complications ensued in his life is a beacon of triumph and a salute to the human spirit.
Abbas is a role model not only for people with disabilities, but for anyone with a lofty goal where detours are placed along the way. He always had a champion’s mindset, whether it was in how he played marbles, performed martial arts or eventually excelled to world class levels in Paralympic swimming. Today, Abbas is training with Swim Fort Lauderdale Masters Swim Team, training under Marty Hendrick, for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
About Buck Dawson: Dawson was a veteran of WWII who served as assistant and publicist for Generals Gavin and Ridgeway in the 82nd Airborne. From the time he was chosen to lead ISHOF in 1962, until his death in 2008, Buck traveled the world armed with Hall of Fame brochures, books, and bumper stickers.
Terri Mitchell (USA) — 2025 John K. Williams, Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award
The Adapted Aquatics Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Terri Mitchell will receive the 2025 John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award. The annual award, honoring individuals or organizations who have made significant and substantial contributions to the field of adaptive aquatics.
Terri Mitchell loves water, where she has spent much of her time during her career as an Aquatic Specialist. She has extensive experience teaching aquatic fitness classes and providing aquatic rehabilitation. She has written and published articles and taught workshops focused on Bridging the Gap to manage the transition from rehabilitation to fitness and wellness.
She is also a retired Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) of 30 years with an Aquatic Specialty, having provided orthopedic and neurological patients with techniques and guidance for improved functional outcomes. She finished her PTA career in the out-patient setting working in the pool with orthopedic and neurologically involved patients.
Terri was a Trainer with the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute for 25 years, teaching various aquatic therapy techniques to Physical Therapists, Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, Occupational Therapists and Adapted Aquatics Professionals. Terri is adept at specialty aquatic programs including Ai Chi, AquaStretch, PNF, PiYoChi, Ortho Aquatics, Intervals, and more. She co-authored a manual and video on bringing PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) to the Pool, a technique for treating patients with neurological deficits.
Cynthia Potter — 2025 Al Schoenfield Media Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Al Schoenfield Media Award will be Cynthia Potter for outstanding contributions to the promotion of aquatic sports through journalism. This award is presented by ISHOF in memory of Al Schoenfield.
A four-time member of the USA Olympic Diving Team (1968, 1972, 1976, 1980) with 20 gold medals in world competition and a 28-time National Champion making her (still) the winningest U.S. female diver in the sport (1968-1977), gave Cynthia Potter a leg up in her next career.
Potter began her broadcasting career at ABC in 1983, her first show was covering the US National Championships for the ABC Wide World of Sports with Frank Gifford, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, along with 1964 Olympic gold medalist Ken Sitzberger, covering the men. Since then Potter has been the face of diving coming into our homes during all major events.
With the exclusion of the 1988 Games, Cynthia has covered every Olympic Games from 1984 in Los Angeles through this last Games in Paris, 2024 and most of them working with last year’s 2024 Al Schoenfield recipient, Peter Diamond.
Potter has worked for just about every broadcasting company there is, including, Turner, ESPN, ABC, CBS, and NBC. She also began covering the NCAA’s starting in the 1980’s too, and she just finished covering the 2025 NCAA’s in Federal Way, Washington.
She has covered World Championships all over the world, as well as World Cups, Grand Prix’s, Goodwill Games, University Games, and many other events and she has worked with many different people. Early in her career, she was lucky enough to work with leaders in the industry, people from other sports. In addition to Frank Gifford, she worked with Jack Whitaker – Main play by play people from other sports, people who already knew the television business, when she did not ~ she was just starting and out and learning, and they gave her all the help she needed.
About Al Schoenfield: He was the Editor and Publisher of Swimming World Magazine (1960-1977) and served on various international committees of swimming, including the FINA Technical Swimming Committee (1980-1984). Schoenfield’s life was a commitment to swimming, and he participated in its administrative structure and spread its stories through his magazines and promotions. Al died in 2005, but his legacy will forever endure to all who have benefited from his lifetime of service to swimming.
Additional Awards During the evening of September 13th, 2025
2025 ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal
2025 ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal Recipients:
Competitive Swimming: Craig Hunter (GBR)
Water Polo: Bret Beecher Bernard (USA)
Competitive Diving: Mitch A. Geller (CAN)
Synchronized Swimming: Ana Maria Lobo (BRA)
Aquatic Safety: Lisa Zarda (USA)
Recreational Swimming: Mick and Sue Nelson (USA)
About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) museum opened its doors to the public in December of 1968 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That same year, the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) – the governing body for Olympic aquatic sports – designated the ISHOF museum as the “Official Repository for Aquatic History”. Today, ISHOF’s vision is to be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports.
Spanish Artistic Swimmer Andrea Fuentes to be inducted as part of ISHOF’s Diamond Anniversary Celebration in Singapore
Andrea FUENTES (ESP)
FOR THE RECORD: 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver (duet), bronze (team); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver (duet, team); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: diploma, 4th (team); 2011 FINA World Championships: silver (solo free event) bronze (solo tech, duet free, duet tech, team free and team tech) ; 2009 FINA World Championships: gold (combo) silver (duet free, duet tech, team free, team tech); 2007 FINA World Championships: silver (team free), bronze (team tech); 2005 FINA World Championships: bronze (team, combo); 2003 FINA World Championships: silver (combo) 4th (team); 2001 FINA World Championships: 5th place (team)
In 1999, at 16 years old, Andrea Fuentes had just joined the Spanish National team. The team was ranked tenth in the world, but by using a series of innovative new lifts, throws and hybrids, they slowly rose to the World Championship podium, tying for silver in the new event of the team free combination in 2003, and fourth in team. The next year, Spain took fourth in team again, at the Olympic Games in Athens.
Following the 2005 World Championships, Andrea was tapped as a potential duet partner for then Spanish star Gemma Mengual. At the World Cup in 2006 she took silver in duet with Mengual, swimming the technical routine.
Andrea had her most successful Olympic Games in Beijing, winning the silver medal in both duet and team, coming within a single point of the gold. In 2009, at the Roma World Championships, she swam away with one gold and four silver medals.
With Mengual taking a break, Andrea began training with a new partner, Ona Carbonell and with her, won her third Olympic silver medal in London, 2012, in duet, along with a bronze in team.
After her retirement as an athlete in 2013, Andrea married Spanish Olympic gymnast Victor Cano. Together, the pair began giving private lessons, coaching, and clinics around the world.
In 2018, Andrea was asked to lead USA Artistic Swimming from a ranking of 12th in the world, back to the Olympic podium. In 2024, Andrea guided the US team to the silver medal in Paris, returning the USA to the podium for the first time in 20 years. After the Paris Games, she returned home to Spain with her husband and two children, as Head Coach of the Spanish National Team.
Join Andrea Fuentes and the other 11 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s Diamond Anniversary in Singapore! Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Singapore in conjunction with the World Aquatics World Championships
WHEN: Monday, July 28, 2025, 1:00 PM
WHERE: Park Royal Collection, Marina Bay, Singapore
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ purchase them HERE!
Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony
ISHOF Class of 2025
Anthony Ervin (USA) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer
Federica Pellegrini (ITA) Honor Swimmer
Joseph Schooling (SIN) Honor Swimmer
Ous Mellouli (TUN) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Chen Ruolin (CHN) Honor Diver
Endre “Bandi” Molnar (HUN) Honor Water Polo Player
Andrea Fuentes (ESP) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach
Captain Husain Al Musallam (KUW) Honor Contributor
Sachin Nag* (IND) Honor Pioneer Swimmer
Guo Jingjing (CHN) Honor Diver (Class of 2016)
*deceased
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce this truly international Class of 2025. This year, ISHOF will induct 12 honorees from nine countries. In addition, ISHOF will be inducting Honorees from four new countries that we have never had Honorees inducted from before, Kuwait, India, Tunisia, and Singapore.
USA Water Polo Announces ‘Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey’; Six-Part Series to Premiere April 28
By: John Lohn, Editor in Chief, Swimming World
April 2025
USA Water Polo Announces ‘Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey’; Six-Part Series to Premiere April 28
A year after “Path to Paris” chronicled USA Water Polo’s men’s national team’s quest to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games, USA Water Polo is excited to announce its second original content series coming this spring.
The new six-part series, called “Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey,” will offer an inside look at the greatest women’s water polo team in the history of the sport on its road to the Paris Olympics. Tickets are on sale now for a special premiere on Monday, April 28, at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California.
The premiere will include the first look at all six episodes of the series as well as a panel discussion with members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic women’s water polo team. Click here to secure your spot at this exclusive experience.
“There has always been so much more to this process than chasing gold medals,” said Adam Krikorian, head coach of the U.S. women’s national team. “For years I’ve wanted people to hear the stories, see the personalities, and learn the lessons that make our journey so special.”
The U.S. women entered the summer of 2024 as the defending three-time Olympic champions, an unprecedented run of excellence. While the team ultimately placed fourth in Paris, viewers will discover the profound dedication these athletes had to the game, their incredible determination to navigate the journey, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the face of adversity.
“Coming up just short of our goal was disappointing,” Krikorian said, referring to the result in Paris, “but it doesn’t take away from the accomplishments [these players] did achieve, the relationships they built, or the impact they’ve had on our communities. This team and these women – along with those that came before them – are truly legends of our sport.”
The series was shot during a 10-month span, beginning in early 2024, when an Olympic berth was already secured, but expectations were building. As the team plotted its path to Paris, “Women of the Water” also delved into the stories of key figures around the program who made a major impact. This first-of-its-kind look at a water polo program that had a firm grip on No. 1 for the better part of a decade was assembled thanks to the creative vision of Executive Producer & Director Suzi Mellano and Producer Greg Mescall with collaboration from Associate Producer Sherie Smith.
“Creating ‘Women of the Water’ was such a fulfilling experience,” said Mellano. “Having the opportunity to be surrounded by such impressive, strong, talented women was beyond inspiring. The year-long process it took for me to shoot and edit this series was challenging but extremely rewarding. Being able to share the voices of these women and the impact they have on women’s sports, is something I will cherish for the rest of my career. I hold the growth of women’s sports close to my heart and I am honored to have played a small role in that progress.”
“Suzi did a masterful job telling the story of this team – one that, frankly, can’t be told enough,” Mescall added. “They are champions in and out of the water, regardless of the results in Paris. A special thanks to the athletes and staff for taking the time to facilitate this production, sitting for interviews, and allowing cameras into their lives. For those that love water polo, this will only cement your passion for the game and love for this team. For those not as familiar, by the end not only will you enjoy the sport, you’ll have developed a respect and appreciation for these athletes that goes far beyond their abilities in a cap and suit.”
Broad distribution for the series will be announced in the near future. Be sure to follow USA Water Polo’s social channels for updates and more information about “Women of the Water: An Olympic Journey.”About USA Water PoloUSA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With nearly 50,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 member clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S., fostering grass-roots expansion while providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials. For more information, visit www.usawaterpolo.org
Ryan Lochte to be inducted into ISHOF as Honor Swimmer in Singapore as part of Class of 2025
photo courtesy: World Aquatics
by: John Lohn
From the moment Ryan Lochte made his Olympic debut for the United States at the 2004 Games in Athens, he became a critical cog of American success on the international stage. As a four-time Olympian (2004-2016), Lochte obviously possessed the talent necessary to flourish at the elite level.
But the Floridian also owned another key attribute: Belief. Package those traits together and it’s no wonder that Lochte is now an inductee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
“I believe in myself,” Lochte said. “A lot of people look at Michael (Phelps) and think he can’t be beaten. That’s not me. I know I can beat him. That’s the competitive edge that I have. I never feel like I’m going to lose, no matter who I’m racing. I always feel like I can win.”
Lochte’s portfolio is stunning, thanks to 12 Olympic medals (six gold), 27 medals from the World Championships and 38 medals from the World Short Course Championships. He is one of the greatest collegiate swimmers in history and stood out in both the long-course and short-course pools.
While his pure talent and work ethic certainly elevated Lochte to the top of his sport, his mental toughness and belief in his abilities played equally critical roles on his road to Hall of Fame status.
Learn more about Ryan Lochte and the other 11 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s Diamond Anniversary in Singapore! Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Singapore in conjunction with the World Aquatics World Championships
WHEN: Monday, July 28, 2025, 1:00 PM
WHERE: Park Royal Collection, Marina Bay, Singapore
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ purchase them HERE!
Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony
ISHOF Class of 2025
Anthony Ervin (USA) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer
Federica Pellegrini (ITA) Honor Swimmer
Joseph Schooling (SIN) Honor Swimmer
Ous Mellouli (TUN) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Chen Ruolin (CHN) Honor Diver
Endre “Bandi” Molnar (HUN) Honor Water Polo Player
Andrea Fuentes (ESP) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach
Captain Husain Al Musallam (KUW) Honor Contributor
Sachin Nag* (IND) Honor Pioneer Swimmer
Guo Jingjing (CHN) Honor Diver (Class of 2016)
*deceased
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce this truly international Class of 2025. This year, ISHOF will induct 12 honorees from nine countries. In addition, ISHOF will be inducting Honorees from four new countries that we have never had Honorees inducted from before, Kuwait, India, Tunisia, and Singapore.
Breaking: IOC Approves Addition of 50 Strokes for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
Photo Courtesy: LA 2028
by Matthew De George – Senior Writer, Swimming World Magazine
09 April 2025, 10:07am
Breaking: IOC Approves Addition of 50 Strokes for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday announced the addition of the 50-meter breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The decision was taken after an executive board meeting and publicized in a press conference by Olympic sports director Kit McConnell. The plan was proposed by World Aquatics and has been approved by the IOC. The full list of alterations is available here.
This will increase the number of individual medal events for both men’s and women’s competition from 14 to 17. Olympic competition has already expanded from eight days in 2016 to a nine-day meet for the first time at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and again in Paris in 2024.
In all, 41 medal events will be contested in the pool at SoFi Stadium, with 55 total medal events across all five aquatic disciplines.
This is the first addition to the Olympic swimming program since Tokyo, when the 800 freestyle was added for the men and the 1,500 free for the women to equalize the programs. The mixed medley relay also debuted in Tokyo.
The Pros and Cons of the Stroke 50s Being Added to the Olympics
The 50 stroke events join the 50 freestyle on the Olympic program. The 50 free was only added in 1988. The 50 stroke events debuted at the World Championships slate in 2001.
World Aquatics hailed the decision, noting that the IOC Executive Board was unanimous in the decision.
“Today’s decision is a testament to the continued evolution of swimming at the Olympic Games,” World Aquatics president Husain Al Musallam said in a press release. “Including these six new events enhances the programme’s balance and adds more opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills on the world’s biggest stage. We thank the IOC for their support in expanding Olympic swimming and can’t wait to watch these incredible athletes compete under the Southern California sky and stars in SoFi Stadium.”
Wednesday’s meeting affirmed the five sports that the Los Angeles 2028 committee put forth in 2023: baseball/softball, flag football, T20 cricket, lacrosse sixes and squash. It also confirmed the full slate of sports with the return of boxing, finalized last month. It also set the athlete quota at 10,500 athletes, equivalent to the Paris numbers, over 31 sports. Of those, 5,333 will be women, a majority for the first time in Olympic history. The five new sports account for 698 spots.
Two other aquatics related changes were announced:
The Olympic water polo tournaments will achieve gender parity in 2024, with the number of women’s teams increased to 12. The Paris Olympics and others before it had featured 12 men’s teams and 10 women’s squads, creating imbalanced group-play schedules.
The Youth Olympics, to be held in 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, will have the addition of the 800 freestyle for both men and women.
Other non-swimming additions include:
A mixed team event in archery for the compound bow to go with the recurve bow team event
Addition of eight more national teams in both men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball
A 4 x 100 mixed relay in track and field, to complement the 4 x 400 mixed relay that debuted in Tokyo
A reversal of the gender split for the soccer tournament, with 16 women’s teams and 12 men’s. In Paris, it had been 12 women’s and 16 men’s, though the women’s tournament is more central as a prize for the women’s soccer environment, with the men’s competition limited to Under-23 with overage players.
A mixed team event in golf
Artistic gymnastics will add a mixed team event, as will table tennis
Three events in coastal rowing, which will replace lightweight rowing
Diver Chen Ruolin (CHN) to be inducted in Singapore at ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary Celebration
CHEN RUOLIN (CHN)
FOR THE RECORD: 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (women’s 10-meter synchronized platform); 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (women’s 10-meter platform, women’s synchronized 10-meter platform); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (women’s 10-meter platform, women’s synchronized 10-meter platform); 2015 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (women’s synchronized 10-meter platform), bronze (mixed 3m & 10m Team); 2013 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (women’s synchronized 10-meter platform), silver (women’s 10-meter platform); 2011 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (women’s synchronized 10-meter platform, 10-meter platform); 2009 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (women’s synchronized 10-meter platform), silver (women’s 10-meter platform); ); 2007 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (women’s synchronized 10-meter platform), silver (women’s 10-meter platform); DIVING WORLD SERIES: gold: 48, silver: 5, bronze: 1; DIVING GRAND PRIXES: gold: 17, silver: 5, bronze: 0; DIVING WORLD CUP: gold: 8, silver: 1, bronze: 0; ASIAN GAMES: gold: 2;
Chen Ruolin won two gold medals at her first performance at an Olympic Games. In 2008, she won the 10-meter platform event and the 10-meter synchronized event. She went on to replicate her performance in London in 2012, winning gold in the same two events. The year prior, in 2011, at the FINA World Championships, she again won the same two events, the 10-meter, individual and synchronized. Chen became the first female Chinese diver who claimed gold medals in all the women’s platform events in the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup. At the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, she won her fifth Olympic gold medal, in the 10-meter synchronized event, and became only the third Chinese athlete to win five Olympic gold medals. Unfortunately, Chen had to retire in late 2012, due to a neck injury.
She is considered one of the greatest female divers in Chinese diving history. She won 100 medals in major competitions, 84 of which were gold, 14 silver and 2 bronze.
Join Chen Ruolin and the other 11 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s Diamond Anniversary in Singapore! Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Singapore in conjunction with the World Aquatics World Championships
WHEN: Monday, July 28, 2025, 1:00 PM
WHERE: Park Royal Collection, Marina Bay, Singapore
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ purchase them HERE!
Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony
ISHOF Class of 2025
Anthony Ervin (USA) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer
Federica Pellegrini (ITA) Honor Swimmer
Joseph Schooling (SIN) Honor Swimmer
Ous Mellouli (TUN) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Chen Ruolin (CHN) Honor Diver
Endre “Bandi” Molnar (HUN) Honor Water Polo Player
Andrea Fuentes (ESP) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach
Captain Husain Al Musallam (KUW) Honor Contributor
Sachin Nag* (IND) Honor Pioneer Swimmer
Guo Jingjing (CHN) Honor Diver (Class of 2016)
*deceased
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce this truly international Class of 2025. This year, ISHOF will induct 12 honorees from nine countries. In addition, ISHOF will be inducting Honorees from four new countries that we have never had Honorees inducted from before, Kuwait, India, Tunisia, and Singapore.
Swimming’s Miraculous Journey
100 freestyle start at the 1961 AAU National Championships, Yale University
by Rich Burns, MISHOF HonoreeIf you’ve paid any attention to the NCAA Swimming Championships the last few weeks, or watched the Olympic Trails last summer, you’ve been treated to extraordinary athletic competitions. While swimming has always been in a state of evolution, it seems like the last few years have produced results that no one could have predicted. As often as you’ve heard, “they can’t go any faster,” they always do. I am most amazed at the parity in the sport. The 50 free in the recent men’s NCAAs saw 19 swimmers who clocked 18+ seconds. The winner squeaked by with 17.9.Having been at this sport for 68 years, I’ve had a front-row seat for this progression. Explanations can be attributed to many factors – rule changes, training techniques, equipment advances, and technology. I find myself engaged in lots of conversations about the way swimming used to be. I recently revisited these two videos from the 1961 AAU National Championships. Watching them will, in no uncertain terms, depict the magnitude of then and now. The 100-yard freestyle features Pacific’s own Steve Clark. Steve was a senior in high school and won the race in the first swim under 47 (46.8 – no hundredths back then) despite no underwater turns, no tech suits, no goggles, crude lane lines, antiquated facilities, touching the wall on turns … you get the picture. Look at the turbulence at the end of the race. At that event with my high school team, I watched as the crowd gave Steve a 5-minute standing ovation.The 220-yard butterfly (yes, they actually finished in the middle of the pool) includes Fred Schmidt, my best friend from 5th grade, and Mike Troy, my roommate for a year at IU. Both were Olympic gold medalists, Mike in 1960 and Fred in 1964. I think you’ll agree that swimming has come a long way.
Steve Clark at the 1961 AAU National Championships, Yale University
Steve Clark winning the 100 free at the 1961 AAU National Championships, Yale University
ISHOF to Induct First Tunisian ever in Singapore, Open Water Swimmer, Ous Mellouli
On Monday, July 28, 2025 in Singapore, ISHOF will induct its very first Honoree from the country of Tunisia. Ous Mellouli, both pool and open water swimmer, will be inducted as an Open Water Swimmer. He won 66 international medals in his extraordinary career, which includes six Olympic Games, beginning in 2000 and ending at the Tokyo 2020/21 Games. At the London Games in 2012, Mellouli won a bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle in the pool and three days later he jumped into the Serpentine and won the gold medal in the 10 km, which became known as the “Mellouli Double”. In addition, Mellouli won a gold medal in the 1500m freestyle four years previously in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Ous may have finished in 12th place, but it was just seven seconds behind gold medalist, Ferry Weertman.
Oussama Mellouli Tunisia Gold Medal
Men’s Marathon 10Km Open Water Swimming – Nuoto Acque Libere
London 10/8/2012 Hide Park
London 2012 Olympic games – Olimpiadi Londra 2012
Foto Andrea Staccioli Insidefoto
Mellouli was an extremely versatile swimmer, swimming the freestyle events, ranging from 200-1500 meters to eventually the 10k, to the IM, where he swam the 200 and 400 meters. His first World Championship competition was in 2003 where he came away with a bronze in the 400m IM. His first title came the following year at the 2004 short course edition of Worlds in Indianapolis where he won the gold medal in the 400 IM and the bronze in the 200 IM. He was a consistent presence at the World Championships, both long and short course, winning bronze in the 400 IM and 400 freestyle in 2005; In 2009, he won gold in the 1500m freestyle and silver in both the 400m and 800m freestyle; At the 2010 Worlds, he took the title in 1500m free, a silver in the 400 IM and bronze in the 200 and 400m freestyle.
MELLOULI Oussama, TUN
Open Water Men 5km
15 FINA World Aquatics Championships
Day-01
Barcelona 19 July – 4 August 2013
Photo L. Salvemini/Insidefoto/Deepbluemedia.eu
Then in 2012, he began swimming Open Water, thanks to the help of coach Catherine Vogt. After surprising the Open Water world and taking the gold in the 10km in London, he competed at the 2013 World Championships, winning gold in the 5km and bronze in the 10km races. Mellouli continued swimming both in the pool and in the open water until his retirement after the Tokyo Games.
Oussama Mellouli Tunisia Gold Medal
Open Water 5 Km Men Nuoto Acque Libere fondo Uomini
Barcellona 20/7/2013 Moll de la Fusta
Barcelona 2013 15 Fina World Championships Aquatics
Foto Andrea Staccioli Insidefoto
Mellouli was the first male African swimmer to win Olympic gold in an individual event (1500-meter freestyle (2008) ~ his country’s second gold medal ever. In 2012, he was named FINA Open Water Swimming Athlete of the Year, Swimming World Magazine Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year; and was won the Swammy Award awarded by SwimSwam for Open Water Swimmer of the Year, all for 2012. At the London Olympic Games, he was Tunisia’s flag carrier in the closing ceremony and in the 2016 opening ceremony in Rio, Tunisia gave him the honor again to carry the Tunisian flag. In 2018, he was inducted into the University of Southern California Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ous Mellouli recently made a post about his upcoming ISHOF induction on social media:
“This coronation or honoring or commemorating that the health of the phrase is important. It’s a great confession that enters me again in history, but this time it wasn’t about the pursuit of the winners but with the votes of the men and the top game specialists in the world. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. The love of sports unites me and I am grateful to them that I have lived this noble honor.
In my career, I had an important share of honors and honors from presidents of Tunisia, governors, princes of Arab countries and senior officials in many countries of the world. They are all dear to me and as a token of love and appreciation that words cannot describe. But this tribute has an exceptional and special tone. I am very proud that my name and the name of my country Tunisia are organized to the list of swimming legends in the world and there are those who had a great influence on me in my beginnings and I consider them the main reason for my love and attachment to this sport like Russian Vladimir Salnikov (the first swimmer to break the 15 minute barrier in 1500 freestyle) or Australian Kieran Perkins (Barcelona 92 went, Atlanta 96) and many other swimming champions in the 90s. And I was talking to my brothers, mother, and father those days and saying to them, I wish I was like Fulan!
And in fact, there are other names worthy of this crowning and I dedicate this unique honor to them. All those people who shared my career and believed in me when I was young and I did not have enough confidence or courage in myself to dream of one day being a world champion or an Olympic champion. Every trainer I trained under his guidance and advice, every official honored and contributed to my career, every journalist followed and commented on the events of the championships I participated in in Tunisia and abroad, and the price of my efforts, and every doctor helped me overcome and resist injuries, and every friend and brother stood by my side. And help me in difficult times and share my joy in the days of victory and every lover wrote to me with thanks and congratulations, and increased in me determination and insistence. And my mother and father, and it is impossible for me to explain why or express the right of expression the giant role they played. Thank you for everything and only. And thank you all. I wish you with sincerity and sincerity that victory will be your ally and success will be your portion and everyone you love.
And the last thing to say is Thank God.”
Join Ous Mellouli and the other 11 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s Diamond Anniversary in Singapore! Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Singapore in conjunction with the World Aquatics World Championships
WHEN: Monday, July 28, 2025, 1:00 PM
WHERE: Park Royal Collection, Marina Bay, Singapore
Tickets are NOW ON SALE ~ purchase them HERE!
Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 60th Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony
ISHOF Class of 2025
Anthony Ervin (USA) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer
Federica Pellegrini (ITA) Honor Swimmer
Joseph Schooling (SIN) Honor Swimmer
Ous Mellouli (TUN) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Chen Ruolin (CHN) Honor Diver
Endre “Bandi” Molnar (HUN) Honor Water Polo Player
Andrea Fuentes (ESP) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach
Captain Husain Al Musallam (KUW) Honor Contributor
Sachin Nag* (IND) Honor Pioneer Swimmer
Guo Jingjing (CHN) Honor Diver (Class of 2016)
*deceased
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce this truly international Class of 2025. This year, ISHOF will induct 12 honorees from nine countries. In addition, ISHOF will be inducting Honorees from four new countries that we have never had Honorees inducted from before, Kuwait, India, Tunisia, and Singapore.
Announcing the 2025 ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s annual ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal (formerly the Paragon Awards 1996-2022). The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year’s recipients include Craig Hunter (GBR) for Competitive Swimming, Mitch Geller (CAN) for Diving, Ana Maria Lobo (BRA) for Artistic/Synchronized Swimming; Bret Beecher Bernard (USA) for Water Polo, Lisa Zarda (USA) for Water Safety and Mick and Sue Nelson (USA) for Recreational Swimming. This year’s awards will be held Saturday evening on September 13, 2025, in conjunction with the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree Induction ceremonies, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Make your plans now to attend the event, Saturday, September 13, 2025!
The annual awards are a spectacular event that celebrates the unsung heroes who make competitive and recreational aquatics possible. These are the people who save lives, promote water safety and further aquatic education around the world. We are proud to recognize these important individuals at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
About this year’s award recipients:
Craig Hunter (GBR) – Competitive Swimming
Craig Hunter has been involved in aquatics for Great Britain for most of his life. He has served Great Britain in many capacities including as the Olympic Swimming Team Manager, as Chef de Mission at the Commonwealth Games, for the British Olympic Association, and with the Paralympic Association.
As an experienced swimming official, Hunter became the Chair of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee, adding to the same role that he held with LEN, now European Aquatics. He has been a referee at Olympic, World and European Championships in previous years. His first Olympic appointment as a FINA judge was the 2016 Rio Games, followed by his participation as referee at the 2020/21 Tokyo Games and Paris 2024 Games, where he was Chairman of the Technical Swimming Committee. Hunter is currently serving World Aquatics as the Chairman of the Technical Swimming Committee, a position he began in July, 2022. Prior to that he was the Vice Chair of the committee, as well as serving on the committee as a member, dating back to 2017.
Mitch Geller (CAN) – Competitive Diving
Mitch Geller has a storied career in Canadian sport and international diving. For nearly three decades, he served as a transformative leader at Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC), first as National Team Head Coach and later as Chief Technical Officer. During his tenure, Mitch’s visionary leadership elevated Canadian diving to new heights, establishing it as a world-renowned powerhouse.
Under his guidance, Canada achieved remarkable success, including medals at seven consecutive Olympic Games, along with numerous world championship, world cup, Pan Am, and Commonwealth Games victories. Mitch’s legacy also includes revolutionary innovations in sport development, program expansion, and cultivating global respect for Canadian diving.
Ana Maria Lobo (BRA) – Artistic Swimming
As an athlete, Ana Maria won a bronze medal at the 1963 Pan American Games, marking the first international participation of a Brazilian team in synchronized swimming. More than a personal achievement, this journey allowed her to introduce the sport to Brazil, coaching top-level teams at Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Clube Paineiras do Morumby, and serve as the first coach of the Brazilian national team.
She later became an international judge for FINA, officiating at five editions of the Olympic Games, as well as numerous world and South American championships. Her passion for the sport also influenced her family, including her daughter and granddaughter, Cristiana and Maria Clara Lobo, both becoming Olympic athletes in the sport.
Bret Beecher Bernard (USA) – Water Polo
Bret Bernard has been involved in Aquatics most of his life, spanning almost 60 years, but water polo is his true passion. He has played on the national and international level, NCAA, World and Olympic level. He has coached at many different teams in water polo, been an international referee in two Olympic Games, 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta, and two editions of the World Championships, 1991 Perth and 1994 Roma. He has refereed too many international competitions to count, including FINA World Cups, Junior World Championships, Summer Olympic Games World Qualifying Tournaments, Goodwill Games, and the lists goes on. He has served on the FINA Technical Water Polo Committee, among others and was the first non-European AIA President.
Bernard has also been involved on numerous Championship planning and organizing site planning committees all the way up the Olympic Games. He has held the position of President, Vice President and Executive Director of United States Water Polo on a national level, and for his service to the sport he has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fames, recieved the Jimmy R. Smith Award in 2001, US Water Polo’s highest honor and in 2010, the sport named an award after him, The Bret B. Bernard Distinguished Referee Award.
Mick and Sue Nelson (USA)– Recreational Swimming
Mick and Sue Nelson have not only influenced the sustainable development of hundreds of pool projects, their “Save-A-Pool” efforts have kept aquatic facilities in danger of closing viable – increasing the opportunity for recreation swimming across the United States. They provide expert advice to anyone from individuals to working with municipalities, private businesses and even major public-private projects. The scope of projects they have been involved in are unmatched by anyone in the industry.
The Nelsons also had careers at USA Swimming for more than a decade, Sue working as a Programming Specialist providing resources and information for members, and Mick, the Club Facilities Development Director. The Nelsons have mentored so many in the industry, have held volunteer leadership positions on numerous boards and advisory councils, presented at dozens of aquatic industry conferences and consistantly nominated others for awards.
Lisa Zarda (USA) –Aquatic Safety
Lisa Zarda is the executive director for the United States Swim School Association (USSSA). Her career in association management spans over twenty-five years and includes earning the certified association executive (CAE) designation in 2010. Over the years she has held volunteer leadership positions with both the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Arizona Society of Association Executives (AzSAE). For the learn to swim industry, she has been involved in the Aquatics Coalition and Water Safety USA. In 2021 she received the Guiding Light Award from the USSSA for her dedication and leadership.
AquaCal® has been the leading swimming pool heat pump manufacturer since 1981, offering a full range of units to meet any heating need. AquaCal® can maintain anything from small above ground pools up to very large commercial facilities. (Currently heating and chilling the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Aquatic Center pools) The chillers, as well as the heat and cool units, can be used to create cold plunge pools for therapy too. Whatever your pool heating/cooling needs, AquaCal® can help!
The ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal, will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach, 999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL (954) 315-1460. In addition to the ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal, we will also be honoring the recipients of the ISHOF Specialty Awards which include theVirginia Hunt Newman Award, the Every Child A Swimmer Award and many others. They will be announced next week.
Ticket information for all events, including the 2025 ISHOF Awards and MISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies will be forthcoming very soon.
For more information call Meg Keller-Marvin at 570.594.4367
#ISHOF #Aquaticawards #AquaCal #USASwimming #Fortlauderdale #Diving #Waterpolo #Artisticswimming #EverychildAswimmer #swimlessons #WorldAquatics
ISHOF Honoree Ron O’Brien: Renaming of the MAC Dive Well The “Dr. Ron O’Brien Dive Well”
PRESS RELEASE
Mission Viejo, California – The Mission Viejo Nadadores Diving Team announces the renaming of the dive well at the Marguerite Aquatics Complex, the “Dr. Ron O’Brien Dive Well.” The City Council approved the proposal at its March 25th Meeting.
“To honor Ron and name our dive well after an 8-time Olympic Coach who had such a historical impact on the team and community is just the right thing to do,” said Michele Mitcell, Ph.D., two-time Olympic Silver Medalist and Executive Director of the Nadadores. “Ron was the genesis of our program. In 1980 six Nadador divers earned their place on the US Olympic Team (the American team did not compete in the boycotted Games). In 1984, three of his divers medaled (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) at the Games in Los Angeles. His contributions to both the sport of diving and the community cannot be overstated. With the Olympics returning in just a few short years, the timing of the dedication is ideal.”
The unveiling ceremony will take place during the opening ceremonies of the 2025 USA Dvinig Junior National Championships, July 26th at 6:00 pm at the Marguerite Aquatics Complex (27474 Casta Del Sol, Mission Viejo) with many retired Nadador divers, staff, and family in attendance.