A Special Week: Gretchen Walsh Achieves Greatest Short Course Performance Ever
Gretchen Walsh — Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
by David Rieder – Senior Writer, Swimming World Magazine
A Special Week: Gretchen Walsh Achieves Greatest Short Course Performance Ever
Surprised by the sheer dominance that Gretchen Walsh imposed on the world’s best sprinters at the Short Course World Championships? Then you haven’t been paying close enough attention to the 21-year-old’s trajectory over the past three years since she arrived at the University of Virginia.
Walsh was destined for greatness in Budapest — but to this extent, this flair for record-breaking fireworks? Seven gold medals could have been foreseen, perhaps more if Walsh competed in backstroke or on additional relays.
But nine individual world records in six days? Simply, that has never been done in swimming history.
The summer of 2024 was Walsh’s long-course breakout, Walsh breaking Sarah Sjostrom’s world record in the 100-meter butterfly before winning five Olympic medals in Paris. But she had dominated the college ranks long before that. Walsh has developed underwater dolphin kicks superior to any other female swimmer in the world, and short course racing allows that skill to mask any stroke flaws.
Fading in a long course 100 free? Not in short course, with half the race contested underwater. Backstroke? Walsh did not bother contesting it at the U.S. Olympic Trials, knowing her tickets to Paris would come in free and fly, but she is the fastest swimmer ever in short course yards. Her historic junior season at Virginia made Walsh the fastest swimmer ever in four short course yards events by enormous margins, including by more than a second in the 100-yard fly.
A lone college dual meet held in short-course meters in mid-October saw Walsh break three American records before taking the world record in the 100 individual medley. That was sufficient evidence that Walsh would bring her NCAA preeminence to the global level, with the differences between the 25-yard and 25-meters courses minimal. One or two extra stroke cycles would not induce the drop-off that Walsh is still working to overcome in long course.
We must acknowledge that many short-course world records do not measure up to their long course counterparts, with many elite swimmers frequently skipping the biennial Short Course World Championships. Sjostrom, for instance, has won medals at eight long-course World Championships over a decade and a half, but only at two editions of the 25-meter meet.
Many of the records Walsh broke in Budapest were long-lasting and overdue for crushing: Ranomi Kromowidjojo had set the 50 free world record in 2017. Therese Alshammar last set the 50 fly mark all the way back in 2009. The 100 IM mark, which Walsh first broke in October before lowering it twice this week, also dated to 2009.
Gretchen Walsh — Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
On the other hand, the 100 fly record at the start of the meet was 54.05, considered groundbreaking when Maggie Mac Neil dropped a half-second off the previous standard at the last Short-Course Worlds in Melbourne. Walsh made that time look silly as she got down to a previously-unthinkable time of 52.71.
This performance stacks up among the greatest in swimming history, although it would be short-sighted to rank Walsh ahead of some of the all-time long-course efforts at World Championships, like Katie Ledecky sweeping the 200, 400, 800 and 1500 free in 2015. Accomplishments in the 50-meter pool will continue to be valued above anything in short-course, barring any surprise changes to the Olympic format.
But the greatest short course performance ever? Yes. The greatest year of short course swimming ever, combining her collegiate results with this global gold rush? Indeed, and the only legitimate comparison would be all the way back in 2006.
That year, Ryan Lochte dominated his senior season at the University of Florida and then traveled to Shanghai for the Short Course World Championships. He won three individual events and swam the fastest times ever in three events (including one relay leadoff) at the NCAA Championships before matching that accomplishment in short-course meters on the global level.
Good company for Walsh to be keeping, with Lochte widely regarded as one of the top-10 performers in the sport’s history. But there are no other comparisons: in 2018, Caeleb Dressel swam the fastest time ever in five different yards events as a senior with the Gators, but he did not match those results at Worlds, with a lone individual gold and no world records. On the women’s side, there is nothing close to matching up, the closest recent resemblance belonging to long course efforts from the likes of Ledecky, Sjostrom, Missy Franklin and Katinka Hosszu.
Walsh will return to college swimming with designs on dominating another NCAA Championships and leading Virginia to an expected fifth consecutive national title. Then comes the more daunting challenge, trying to achieve a sliver of the same success in long course at the World Championships in Singapore next July. Plenty of Walsh’s key rivals who skipped Budapest will be back in the hunt, including the American who edged Walsh for Olympic gold in the 100 fly, Torri Huske.
Walsh will probably never be as good in long course as she has become in short course, but that does not matter. Even Leon Marchand remains superior in the short pool, and he just captured four individual Olympic golds in Paris. Walsh might soon reach that gold-medal podium for her long course results after spending so much time there this week in Budapest.
But her short-course talent, shown off for years on the college circuit, has now produced a global phenomenon and a very convincing argument for best ever outside of the Olympic-distance course. Whatever Walsh achieves in any format over the remainder of her career, this illustrious week will forever be a highlight.
Friends we’ve lost in 2024
Dr. Ron O’Brien – November 19, 2024
The Sport of Diving loses a Legend: Dr. Ron O’Brien dies at age 86 at home in Naples, Florida
Casey Converse – August 10, 2024
Passages: The Gift of Casey Converse; Distance Legend Passes Away at 66
Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha July 31st, 2024
Passings: ISHOF loses 1997 Gold Medallion Recipient, Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha ~ longtime ISHOF friend
Carolyn Schuler Jones – July 22, 2024
Passages: Carolyn Schuler Jones, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Dies at 81
Brent Rutemiller – June 17, 2024
David Wilkie – May 22, 2024
Great Britain and the ISHOF family lose a great one: David Wilkie loses his battle with cancer…..
Jon Urbanchek – May 9, 2024
Passages: ISHOF Honor Coach Jon Urbanchek, Iconic Olympic, Michigan Coach Dies; Legacy Will Endure
Judith McGowan – March 10, 2024
Giuseppe D’Altrui – February 22, 2024
The world of water polo loses a great: Giuseppe D’Altrui
Eddie Sinnott – February 20, 2024
Lance Larson – January 19, 2024
Passages: Lance Larson, 1980 ISHOF Honoree Controversially Denied Olympic Gold, Dies at 83
Every Child A Swimmer – A Year in Review
Every Child a Swimmer: 2024 Year in Review ~ by: Casey McGovern
The Every Child a Swimmer program is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to the life-saving skill of swimming. As a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, we work to eliminate barriers to swim education by providing scholarships for swim lessons, partnering with swim schools, and advocating for water safety legislation across the United States. Through education, awareness, and collaboration, we are creating a generation of confident swimmers, building safer communities, and saving lives.
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an incredible year filled with tremendous growth,impactful partnerships, and countless moments of hope and achievement. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our partners—individuals and organizations who share our passion for creating swimmers and saving lives.
This year, we partnered with over 300 swim schools across the country, resulting in a remarkable investment of over $500,000 in swim lessons for children. This is a significant leap from 2023, when we were able to teach 610 children to swim, equating to $150,000. These numbers are more than statistics—they represent lives changed, opportunities unlocked, and communities strengthened.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are setting our sights even higher. Our goal is to quadruple the number of children impacted. With your help, we can make this vision a reality. Every dollar donated goes directly to providing children with the essential life skill of swimming—empowering them with safety, confidence, and a brighter future.
In the year to come, we’re aiming even higher. Our goal is to quadruple the number of childrenimpacted, but we can’t do it alone.
Here’s how you can help make this vision a reality:
Donate: Every dollar goes directly to funding swim lessons for children in need.
Partner with Us: Swim schools and organizations can join our growing network to expand our each.
Spread the Word: Share our mission with your network to help build a wave of support.Every contribution—whether financial, partnership-driven, or through advocacy—gets us closer to a future where every child has access to the life-saving skill of swimming.
Why this matters… Swimming is more than a skill; It’s a bridge to safety, confidence, and opportunity. By working together, we’re creating a legacy of water safety, ensuring that more children can enjoy a brighter, safer future. Together. Let’s dive into 2025 with renewed energy and determination to create even more swimmers.
The Sport of Diving loses a Legend: Dr. Ron O’Brien dies at age 86 at home in Naples, Florida
Dr. Ron O’Brien, a legend in the sport of diving has died at the age of 86. As a Coach, no one can compare to the resume O’Brien created in the sport of diving. He was an eight-time USA Olympic Diving Coach, seven-time Head Coach, beginning in 1968, continuing through every Olympiad until his last in 1996. He was a seven-time USA World Championship Head Coach, four-time USA Pan American Games Head Coach and seven-time USA World Cup Head Coach. O’Brien has coached more Olympians than we can count, winning five gold, three silver and four bronze, but will probably be best remembered for the 1988 Olympic Games, when he coached Greg Louganis to his second double gold medal performance in the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events, making Louganis the only man to accomplish back-to-back double gold medals in Olympic diving history. All totaled in major competitions, O’Brien divers have won 196 gold, 113 silver and 106 bronze medals.
His coaching career began after a brief stint at Minnesota ~ O’Brien was then named the Head Diving Coach at his alma mater, the Ohio State University where he coached from 1963-1978. He eventually moved to Southern California in 1978, where he became Head Coach of the Mission Viejo Nadadores. It was in Mission Viejo that O’Brien won an astounding 38 Team Titles, and in 1984 the United States swept all four gold medals at the World Championships, the only time this has ever been accomplished and the first time any country has swept a major international world class event since 1952. The divers were all coached by O’Brien.
His Olympic medalists include: Jennifer Chandler (1976), Debbie Keplar Wilson (1976), Greg Louganis (1984, 1988), Michelle Mitchell(1984, 1988), Wendy Wyland (1984), Scott Donie (1992) and Mary Ellen Clark (1992, 1996).
In 1985, O’Brien headed to South Florida to coach at a brand new facility called Mission Bay in Boca Raton, where he stayed until 1990. He hit the ground running; the very next year in 1986, all 12 United States Diving individual National Titles were won by Ron O’Brien divers. O’Brien won 16 Team Titles while at Mission Bay and was soon inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) as an Honor Coach in 1988.
In 1990, The City of Fort Lauderdale, home to ISHOF, hired O’Brien as the Director of Diving and Head Diving Coach at the Hall of Fame Aquatic Complex. There, O’Brien won 20 Team Titles in all, and a majority his athletes competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, with O’Brien serving as Head Coach. Pat Jeffrey, Karen LaFace, Kent Ferguson, Scott Donie, Jenny Keim, Mary Ellen Clark, and David Pichler were all members of the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team.
In addition to coaching Olympians in Fort Lauderdale, O’Brien served as the National Technical Director for USA Diving from 1991-2004.
After the 1996 Olympic Games, O’Brien retired from actively coaching on deck. In 1996, He was named Diving Special Events Coordinator at the Hall of Fame Aquatics Complex for the City of Fort Lauderdale, where he remained until 2008. He was named High Performance Director for USA Diving in 2004, where he served for the next four years. Once retired, he created and operated “Divers to College”, an online college recruiting website, exclusively for divers and diving. He was always looking to help the “diver”.
Ron O’Brien produced a United States National Champion in 25 of his 30 years as a coach and had a National Champion for 24 consecutive years, from 1973 through his very last year in 1996. Awards started almost immediately in his career. In 1974, O’Brien was presented the Mike Malone Award, given for outstanding contributions to United States Diving. In 1976, O’Brien was given the Fred Cady Award for coaching an Olympic Champion and the James A. Rhodes Award for participation in the 1976 Olympic Games. He was awarded the Mike Peppe Memorial Award, an unprecedented 14 times, first in 1979, and the last time was his final year of coaching, in 1996. In 1993, he was given the WHOSAM Award, which is given for commitment to excellence and dedication in the sport of Diving. In 1996, he won the United States Olympic Committee’s Diving Coach of the Year, as well as the Phil Boggs Award, given for outstanding contributions to United States Diving.
In addition to ISHOF in 1988, O’Brien was inducted into The Ohio State University Hall of Fame in 1984; he was a 1996 Inductee into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame; in 2004, he was inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Most recently, O’Brien was inducted as part of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Class of 2019 as an Honor Coach, one of only six coaches to ever be inducted.
On May 23, 2015, the city of Fort Lauderdale inducted Dr. Ron O’Brien with a star embedded on Fort Lauderdale Beach on the City’s Walk of Fame as part of its sixth annual Great American Beach Party celebration. The City followed up on January 7, 2020 by proclaiming it Ron O’Brien Day in the City of Fort Lauderdale.
O’Brien was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 14, 1938. He became interested in diving and gymnastics at the Pittsburgh YMCA, where he began his athletic career. He went on to attend college at the Ohio State University, earning six varsity letters in both diving and gymnastics. He became the NCAA National Champion on the 1-meter in 1959, NCAA All-American on both the 1- and 3-meter in 1957, 1958, 1959, and the AAU National Champion on the 3-meter in 1961. In 1960, at the U.S. Diving Olympic Trials, O’Brien placed third, missing making the Olympic Team by one place. Not making the team, sent him into coaching, and created a coaching legend that may never be replicated. On May 20, 2010, Ohio State University named their diving well, the Ron O’Brien Dive Well, in his honor.
Dr. Ron O’Brien leaves behind his wife of over 60 years, Mary Jane, daughter Anne, son Tim, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
“I am grateful for the unconditional love he showed me. I was an instrument of his creation. He told me, “Greg, they will forget you and what you did, but they will always remember your records.” He is the only reason they exist. Thank you Rono, for your love.” Greg Louganis, Olympic gold medalist, 1984, 1988 4-time Olympic gold medalist.
“We have many great memories of Ron, knowing each other since Mexico 1968 Olympics and more recently with your wonderful family, when you invited the whole Italian Team to your home. You have been one of the greatest coaches in the world, working with most of the best American divers gaining many Olympic medals, but specially being a fantastic man and husband. A big hug from Klaus and Giorgio and all the Italian divers…RIP” Klaus DiBiasi (3 gold, 2 silver) and Giorgio Cagnotto (2 silver 2 bronze), Italian Olympic Divers.
“Ron was the gentleman’s coach. A class act, humble and quiet. But boy did he know just what to say at the right moment. He coached and helped so many top divers and other coaches in the sport of diving. He was beloved around the world and will be greatly missed.” Michelle Mitchell, 1984, 1988 Olympic Silver medalist
“Ron was a legendary Coach, but an even better person and friend. We will all miss him dearly.” Steve McFarland, former President USA Diving, World Aquatics Technical Diving Committee
“I didn’t know Ron that well, as I was a Michigander and Ronnie was from Ohio State, but I absolutely admired the way he worked with his divers and the person he was.” Bobby Webster, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 1960, 1964, 10-meter platform
“To be coached by Ron was such an honor. He was a class act coaching his athletes to their potential while teaching life skills through mentorship. He helped the world of diving step into excellence with grace and humbleness. Ron was motivated by coaching the entire person so we could learn the life lessons through sport to then help the next generation by paying it forward. Ron was a leader through action, a man with a plan and my dear friend in life. I am forever blessed for Ron changing my life. Heaven is so lucky to have such a gentleman in Ron O’Brien, a star in life and now, among the stars.” Mary Ellen Clark, 1992, 1996, Olympic Bronze medalist
“Ron O’Brien was the most professional diving coach I have ever known and that’s saying something. He added stature to be a diving coach; just the way he presented himself at diving competitions. He was a benefactor to the sportand he will be sorely missed.” Tom Gompf, lifelong friend, former President USA Diving, FINA Technical Diving Chairman
“Ron O’Brien was one of my oldest and dearest friends in the diving community. When I started diving at Ohio State, I lived in same rooming house as Ron. I was coached by Ron, along with Don Harper, and I attribute any success that I had in the sport to him and will continue to miss him.” Lou Vittuci, lifelong friend and 1964 Olympian, 10-meter platform
“Ron O’Brien was the ultimate coach for every diver. He dealt with all the fears young athletes had in a way that put them at ease and allowed them to build self-esteem/confidence where they were lacking. Truth be told, he was a genius when it came to reading people.” Cynthia Potter, 4-time Olympian, Olympic Diving Commentator
Ron’s achievements as a coach spanned four decades and included Olympic success by some of the most accomplished divers to ever compete in the sport. But most importantly, he was a devoted husband and father, who was humble, kind, and generous throughout his life. Ron truly was an icon of the sport of diving and will be missed profoundly by all in aquatics worldwide.” Dale Neuburger, World Aquatics Treasurer
“Ron was everything. Kind, generous, smart. An unmatched eye for detail. But his greatest quality was how much he cared about each and every one of us. And that level of caring leads to magic.” Scott Donie, 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist, 10-meter Platform
Guess who Swims? You might be surprised…
So, we all know the names, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte, and more recently Kate Douglass and Regan Smith. But have you ever stopped to think about about other sports heroes?
One of the greatest basketball players of our era, NBA Mega-Superstar, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, who was a five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 15-time NBA All-Star and NBA All-Star Game MVP, began his life and initially aspired to be a competitive swimmer. He grew up on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and only changed his plans when at 14, Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island’s only Olympic sized swimming pool, so he took up basketball.
Today, he is called “The greatest baseball player of all time”, Shohei Ohtani, star of the 2024 World Series winning Los Angeles Dodgers, started as a SWIMMER! He swam through his high school years at Hanamaki Higashi High School, in Iwate, Japan, and his Coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, claimed that the eventual American League MVP was the fastest swimmer on his team, and “could have made the Olympics.” His father was a minor league baseball player and guided Shohei into baseball instead of swimming.
So, today, at ISHOF / the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, who walks in to swim laps, but none other than, NHL Florida Panther, 2024 Stanley Cup Winning Goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky. Long-time ISHOF Staffer, Meg Keller-Marvin’s son, Matt Marvin, who happens to be a huge Florida Panthers fan, and City of Fort Lauderdale lifeguard, immediately recognized him and struck up a brief conversation, as “we”Bob” was on his way out. The one thing Marvin did say, “He’s got a gear bag with everything in it: goggles, fins, paddles, kickboard and he even wore a Speedo!”
Sounds like a SWIMMER to us! Way to go Bob-by!
Forrest Nelson to Receive the 2025 Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award
FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) willrecognize Forrest Nelson for his extensive contributions to the administration of openwater swimming with the 2025 Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler MemorialAward. The award will be presented to Nelson during the International MarathonSwimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Induction and Award Ceremony in Jersey onSaturday May 17th, 2025.
The Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award is presented annuallyby the International Swimming Hall of Fame to the individual who has contributed themost to the administration of open water swimming.
This year’s award recognizes Forrest Nelson, an open water swimming administratorfrom the United States of America. Nelson led the Catalina Channel SwimmingFederation (CCSF), an IMSHOF Honor Organization, from 2011 until 2022. Whileserving as President, the federation grew substantially. While retaining the coremembers of the CCSF Board of Directors, he recruited additional talent in anticipationof this growth. Nelson invited additional boat captains to escort the surge in applicants.The CCSF observed three times as many successful solo swimmers, and 15 times thenumber of successful relays in his ten years as president, than the previous ten years.This expansion occurred while maintaining the organization’s reputation forimplementing one of the most robust safety plans among major open waterorganizations.
Forrest Nelson and team helped evolve the organization’s registration process,observer training, and kayak support, to make applying to Catalina one of the moststraightforward and streamlined of the Triple Crown and the Oceans Seven Swims.One outcome of his leadership has been a substantial increase in the number ofinternational swimmers attempting the 20-mile stretch of open water between CatalinaIsland and Los Angeles, California.
Nelson himself is an accomplished marathon swimmer, completing the Triple Crown ofopen water swimming in 2007. He set the speed record for the 74.7 km swim aroundCatalina Island in 25 hours and 35 minutes. IMSHOF recognized Nelson as an HonorSwimmer in 2015 and he has been a faithful supporter of IMSHOF, attending nineInduction and Awards Ceremonies since 2012.
For additional information, please call Ned Denison in Ireland at (+353) 87-987-1573 or ISHOF at (+1954) 462-6536, or visit https://ishof.org
Nora Toledano Cadena to receive the 2025 Poseidon Award
FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce Nora ToledanoCadena, of México, as this year’s recipient of the 2025 Poseidon Award for her incredibleachievements in marathon swimming. The award will be presented to Toledano during theInternational Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Induction and Award Ceremonyon Saturday May 17 th , 2025, in Jersey (Channel Islands). The Poseidon Award, presentedannually by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, recognizes outstandingcontributions to marathon swimming. This award honors individuals or organizationsthat have significantly advanced the sport of Marathon swimming through theirpersonal efforts or initiatives.
This year’s award honors Nora Toledano Cadena. She is an accomplished swimmer, whoraced on the FINA circuit for eight years, was the 14th person to complete the Ocean Seven,and the first Latin American woman to achieve a two-way English Channel Swim. Nora is anaccomplished administrator. She organized the FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup twicein México, has served on the IMSHOF Executive Committee since 2022, been acommentator during two Olympics Games, and co-authored the book, A Cada Brazada: ElAzul Interminable (With Each Stroke: The Endless Blue). In her role as a coach, sheexcelled as she trained, crewed and advised more than 100 long distance swimmers fromMéxico, in addition to swimmers from another eight different nationalities (USA, Spain, Italy,Peru, Colombia, Iran, Chile and Guatemala). Fifteen of her swimmers completed the TripleCrown and two the Oceans Seven.Nora was inducted as an Honor Swimmer in the International Marathon Swimming Hall ofFame (IMSHOF) in 2006.
For additional information, please call Ned Denison in Ireland at (+353) 87-987-1573 or ISHOF at (570) 594.4367 or visit https://ishof.org
Nora Toledano Cadena recibirá el Premio Poseidón 2025FORT LAUDERDALE –
El Salón Internacional de la Fama de la Natación (ISHOF) se enorgullece de anunciar que lamexicana Nora Toledano Cadena recibirá este año el Premio Poseidón 2025 por susincreíbles logros en los maratones de natación. El premio será entregado a Toledanodurante la Ceremonia de Inducción y Entrega de Premios del Salón Internacional de laFama de los Maratones de Natación (IMSHOF) el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, en Jersey(Islas del Canal). El Premio Poseidón, otorgado anualmente por el Salón de la Famade la Natación Internacional, reconoce las contribuciones destacadas a los maratonesde natación. Este premio honra a individuos u organizaciones que han hecho avanzarsignificativamente el deporte de los maratones de natación, a través de sus esfuerzospersonales o iniciativas.
El premio de este año honra a Nora Toledano Cadena. Es una nadadora consumada, quecompitió en el circuito de la FINA durante ocho años, fue la decimocuarta persona encompletar el Ocean Seven y la primera mujer latinoamericana en conseguir nadar el Canalde la Mancha de ida y vuelta. Nora organizó la Copa del Mundo de Natación de Maratón dela FINA dos veces en México, ha formado parte del Comité Ejecutivo de la IMSHOF desde2022, ha sido comentarista durante dos Juegos Olímpicos y es coautora del libro A Cada Brazada: El Azul Interminable. En su faceta de entrenadora, destacó entrenando, comoequipo de apoyo y asesorando a más de 100 nadadores de larga distancia de México,además de nadadores de otras ocho nacionalidades diferentes (Estados Unidos, España,Italia, Perú, Colombia, Irán, Chile y Guatemala). Quince de sus nadadores completaron laTriple Corona y dos los Siete Océanos.
Nora fue incluida como Nadadora de Honor en el Salón de la Fama Internacional deMaratones de Natación (IMSHOF) en 2006.
Para más información, llame a Ned Denison en Irlanda al (+353) 87-987-1573 o al ISHOF al(570) 594.4367 o visite https://ishof.org.
Congratulations to Honoree Missy Franklin and husband Hayes Johnson ~ expecting Baby Girl #2
On Halloween, Missy Franklin and her “SuperHero family”, husband, Hayes Johnson and daughter, Cait dressed up for trick or treating, but we were the ones who were “treated” to the very special news that Missy is expecting in March 2025. Here is Missy’s Instagram post:
missyfranklin88: “We couldn’t be happier to share that we’re adding another superhero to the family!! Baby girl Johnson number two making her entrance in March🩷 Owlette (aka Cait Cait) couldn’t be more excited to be a big sis, and she will be the BEST big sister. We are absolutely over the moon and cannot believe our blessings. So thankful to be growing our family.”
“Happy Halloween from the three, soon to be FOUR, of us!!🫶🏻
Missy was inducted into ISHOF as part of the Class of 2023. You can read about her stellar career and watch her induction video here!
https://ishof.org/honoree/missy-franklin/
Congratulations Missy and family !!!
Please consider ISHOF this year in your End of Year Giving or on Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday is December 3, 2024
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is currently raising money to support our new museum, which is part of our $218 million renovation project. As you know, every dollar counts! Your generous donation will help us maintain financial stability while our multi-million-dollar iconic renovation is being completed, or you can stipulate that your tax-deductible donation be used for displays in the new Hall of Fame Museum. It’s entirely up to you!Since 1965, ISHOF has been the international showplace for swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming, including all the aquatic sports, which now include Masters, High Diving, Paralympics and Open Water. The museum, library and archives contain the world’s largest collection of aquatic memorabilia and the single largest source of aquatic books, manuscripts, and literature across the globe.
We honor, pay tibute, and celebrate the aquatic heroes of yesterday while showcasing our sports and disciplines. We also are working to ensure “Every Child A Swimmer” as we fight to eradicate drowning, the leading cause of death in children. On behalf of all of us at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, thank you for your continued support and hope you will donate in support of our efforts. We need you more now than ever!
It’s easy to give, just click on the link:
https://internationalswimminghalloffame-bloom.kindful.com
Happy Holidays from the staff of ISHOF!
Every Child A Swimmer – November post
Every Child a Swimmer: Saving Lives, Strengthening CommunitiesDrowning is a preventable tragedy that affects countless families and communities. Each year, drowning claims the lives of thousands of children, and the ripple effects are felt deeply. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4. Even more heartbreaking is the reality that for every child who drowns, another eight are hospitalized due to non-fatal drownings—incidents that can leave lasting physical and neurological impacts on families and communities for a lifetime. The statistics are stark, but change is within reach. Together, we can save lives.
At the Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) program, we’re committed to turning these tragedies intopreventable incidents by teaching life-saving swimming skills. Through 2024, we’ve awarded over $379,622 in funding to support swim lessons, reaching 1,474 children and providing them with essential water safety skills. This year, ECAS also donated $20,000 to the Clearwater for Youth program, enabling transportation for young students in grades K-2 from six local elementary schools to participate in swim lessons. At John Hopkins Middle School, we partnered with a unique program led by dedicated physical education teachers, which allowed 450 middle school students to take swim lessons during PE class.
These efforts bring us closer to a future where drowning is a rare occurrence.Our work would not be possible without partnerships. We collaborate with over 280 quality swimschools across the country, providing up to three months of swim lessons to low-income families who provide proof of financial need. By removing barriers to access, we help ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill.
Formal swim lessons have been proven to reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. Swimming isn’t just another sport—it’s a skill that saves lives and opens doors. Whether it’s confidence to enjoy the water, an introduction to competitive swimming, or a potential career in aquatics, swimming can shape futures. The child who learns to swim today might be tomorrow’s Olympian, lifeguard, or swim coach.
At ECAS, we follow each child’s progress to ensure they build water competence and confidence that will last a lifetime. Join us in this vital mission to turn drowning into a preventable tragedy—together, we can save lives and make Every Child a Swimmer. Every dollar raised funds our Learn to Swim Scholarship Program, helping more children gain life-saving skills and making a big impact one lesson at a time. Let’s work together to create safer, stronger communities for all.
#ISHOF #EveryChildASwimmer #CityofFortLauderdale #WorldAquatics #DrowningPrevention