Happy Birthday Mayumi Aoki
Mayumi Aoki (JPN)
Honor Swimmer (1989)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1972 gold (100m butterfly); WORLD RECORDS: 2 (100m butterfly); WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1973 bronze (100m butterfly); CANADIAN NATIONALS: 1970 gold (100m butterfly).
On Friday, September 1, 1972, 19 year old Mayumi Aoki became Japan’s first female Olympic gold medal winning swimmer in 40 years and only the second in history after Hall of Famer Hideko Maehata won at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
In winning her race at the Munich Games, Aoki established several other Olympic firsts. She was the first non-American to win the women’s 100 meter butterfly since it was introduced into the games with Shelly Mann’s gold medal in 1956. She was the first woman to lower the Olympic record under 1:04. Her world record of 1:03.9 had been set at the Japanese Nationals earlier in the summer. She swam a new world record of 1:03.34 in the Olympic Finals, in a cliff hanger over the German Democratic Republic’s Roswitha Beier, Hungary’s Andrea Gyarmati and America’s Deena Deardruff and Dana Shrader. All five women were under Mayumi’s old world record in one of the closest across the board finishes in Olympic history. Aoki swam a super fly split of 1:02.47 in the medley relay but it wasn’t enough to make her Japanese team a medal winner.
Aoki was A-OK in winning her first big North American race at the Canadian Nationals in 1970. She also won a bronze medal for a third place finish at the first World Championships in 1973. She was Japanese National Champion in the 200 meter butterfly as well as the 100 meter butterfly. She is currently (1989) a high school physical education teacher and a swimming coach in Japan.
Happy Birthday Alain Bernard
Alain Bernard (FRA)
Honor Swimmer (2017)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m freestyle), silver (4x100m freestyle), bronze (50m freestyle); 2012 London: gold (4×100m freestyle); 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): bronze (4×100m freestyle); 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): silver (100m freestyle), bronze (4×100m freestyle); 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): silver (4×100m freestyle), bronze (50m freestyle); 2010 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold 4×100m freestyle; 2006 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): bronze (4×100m freestyle); 2008 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (100m freestyle, 50m freestyle); 2010 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (100m freestyle), silver (4×100m freestyle); 2012 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (4×100m freestyle), silver (100m freestyle); 2004 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (4×50m freestyle); 2005 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): silver (4×50m freestyle); 2006 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): silver (4×50m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); 2007 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (100m freestyle), silver (4x50m freestyle), bronze (50m freestyle); 2008 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (4×50m freestyle); FOUR WORLD RECORDS: 50m freestyle (LC), 100m freestyle (LC & SC), 200m freestyle relay.
Born in Aubagne, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, Alain Bernard trained at a local club until the age of 16, when he switched to Club Marseille to train under coach Denis Auguin. He made slow but steady progress until 2007, a break-out year in which he set the French record in the 100m freestyle and later claimed his first European Championship title in the same event. Then, at the European Championships in March 2008, he set his first world records, winning the 50m and 100m freestyle. A month later he qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games in both events.
Alain’s experience in Beijing began with bitter disappointment, when the USA took the gold medal from the favored French team in the 4x100m freestyle relay. In addition, he also lost his world record to Eamon Sullivan who led off Australia’s relay with a phenomenal swim.
Alain reclaimed his record two days later in his 100m freestyle semi-final swim, before losing it again to Sullivan in his semi. In the final, however, it was Alain Bernard who won the gold medal, and with his victory, he became France’s first male Olympic gold medalist since Jean Boiteaux, who won the 400m freestyle at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.
The next day he won a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle event and left Beijing with three medals, each of a different metal.
The next year, Alain ushered in the shiny suit era by becoming the first swimmer to break the 47 second barrier in the 100m freestyle, breaking Sullivan’s record with a time of 46.94 seconds. Unfortunately, the suit he wore was not approved by FINA and his record was unrecognized.
Leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Alain continued to be among the world’s top sprinters and although he missed qualifying in individual events, he was a member of the French 4x100m freestyle relay that finally won the gold, after knocking on the door of greatness for most of his career. Upon returning to France at the age of 29, he announced his retirement as his country’s most decorated Olympic swimmer, owning a total of four medals (two gold, one silver and one bronze) from two Olympic Games, Beijing and London.
Today he continues to share his love of swimming in his role as ambassador and technical advisor for the French AquaSphere brand of swim equipment.
Happy Birthday Charlotte Davis
Charlotte Davis (USA) Honor Coach (2014)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES: Head Coach; 1988 OLYMPIC GAMES: Assistant Coach and Team Leader; 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: Assistant Coach and Team Leader; 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: National Team Director and Coach of two swimmers winning two Olympic gold and one Olympic Silver medal; National Team Director and Assistant Coach of 1991, 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1991, 1993, 1995 WORLD CUP: National Team Director and Assistant Coach; 1983, 1987, PAN AMERICAN GAMES: Head Coach 1995 PAN AM GAMES: National Team Director and Assistant Coach.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ept3di0E5Do%3Flist%3DPLjYWbX54Yv0Hajz_HtHecswNBl39Ybdz4
She began her love of swimming at age three. At 11, her older sisters taught her “water ballet” and she was immediately hooked. She loved the music, the creativity, the artistry and best of all, swimming upside down! She then discovered the Washington Athletic Club Synchronized Swimming Team, where she competed through high school. After high school, she moved and competed with the reigning National Champion, Santa Clara Aquamaids. It was with the Aquamaids, she became a National Team champion in 1970.
In 1971, Charlotte moved back to Seattle and formed her own synchronized swimming team. After a few years of coaching, a nine year-old swimmer who could barely swim the length of the pool, caught Charlotte’s eye. That little girl’s name was Tracie Ruiz. Soon after, another little girl, Candie Costie, stood out and decided she wanted to swim duet with Tracie.
Under Charlotte’s guidance, Tracie and Candy rose to the top very quickly, winning the Junior National Duet title at the age of 16. Five years later, in 1982, when the IOC announced the inclusion of the duet on the program for the 1984 Olympic Games, Charlotte and the girls made a pact to work hard and earn the right to represent the United States in Los Angeles. Their hard work and dedication paid off as Charlotte was named head Olympic coach and the girls went on to win the gold medal for the USA; because of the Soviet boycott, the IOC added the solo competition at the last minute. Tracie Ruiz won the gold medal in that event as well.
Charlotte Davis was instrumental in the formation of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Inc. program that began when the corporation was formed in 1979. She was hired as the organization’s first full-time National Team coach in 1984 and in 1992 was named National Team Director, a position she held until her retirement in 2000. During her tenure, the USA was the dominant force in international synchronized swimming. In addition to the gold medals in 1984 she coached the Josephson twins, Karen and Sarah, to the Olympic duet silver medal in 1988 and Tracie Ruiz to the gold in solo. In 1992 the Josephsons won the duet, while Kristen Babb won the solo gold in Barcelona. As the National Team Director and assistant Olympic coach in 1996, Charlotte also played a major role in the USA’s “perfect ten” performance in Atlanta. It was the first Olympic gold medal awarded for the team event in Olympic history.
Charlotte Davis shared her expertise by giving clinics around the world helping to make synchronized swimming one of the marquee FINA events.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=d_KhTshrlyQ%3Ffeature%3Doembed
Happy Birthday Don Schollander
Don Schollander (USA)
Honor Swimmer (1965)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1964 gold (100m, 400m freestyle; 4x100m, 4x200m freestyle relay); 1968 gold (4x200m freestyle relay), silver (200m freestyle); First swimmer in history to win 4 gold medals at one Olympics; WORLD RECORDS: 200yd, 200m freestyle; U.S. NATIONAL RECORDS: freestyle; World Athlete of the Year, 1964.
Nineteen year old Don Schollander is the world’s most honored active swimmer. No swimmer in any year has received the honor that came to Schollander in 1964. His selection as top athlete at the 1964 Olympics, plus his award as U. S. and World Athlete of the Year are proof that swimming has come of age and is long overdue on having its own Hall of Fame.
Don received 138 first-place votes and 459 points compared to 14 firsts and 134 points for runner-up Johnny Unitas. No swimmer had previously won the pool in its 34 year history and no athlete in any sport has won it by such an overwhelming margin.
Justification for Schollander’s overwhelming A.P. vote and for his selection to the first group honored in the new Swimming Hall of Fame is his record of 4 gold medals, 4 Olympic and 3 world records in his four Olympic freestyle swimming events. No other swimmer has ever done so well in the Olympic Games.
Don was the first man in the world to break 2 minutes for the 200 meter freestyle, on July 7, 1963; but his most amazing performance was his 1:41.7 for 200 yards last April. Try to imagine a man with such great talent that he can race and beat a four man relay team, not just any four man relay, but a world record relay team. This is what Don Schollander did at Yale, give or take 50 years. His 1:41.7, 200 yd. freestyle time at the 1965 Indoor U. S. Nationals in April was 7/10 seconds faster than the world record set by Yale’s 200 yd. freestyle relay team in 1917. It is a dramatic illustration of the improvement in swimming times, training and techniques in less than 50 years.
In preparing for the 1964 Olympic Trials and Games, Don’s coach, George Haines, (he has had several great coaches in his young career), felt he could win any freestyle event for which he trained. The middle distances are his forte but Haines felt it would be difficult and dangerous, if not foolhardy , to prime Don for both the 100 meter sprint and 1500 meter distance races at the same time. The coach, showing complete confidence in his swimmer plus a flare for the dramatic, and a rise to the challenge, picked the 100. Although Don is not a sprinter, he has an almost perfect stroke and the 100 meter distance was long enough for this good stroking to pay off in a come-from-behind victory. Certainly it proved a point for good swimming. Don owned the 400 meter race, perhaps his best distance, and swam on two of the U.S.A.’s three gold medal world record breaking relays, something he might not have been able to do had he primed for the 1500. All signs were “go” and all gambles paid off. No swimmer before Schollander has ever won four gold medals in one Olympics, yet Don might have won five had he been on still another relay. On the other hand, 1964 was the first Olympics that offered three relays and only the second Olympics offering more than one men’s relay. Immortality is still a combination of timing and talent.
There are now more races for more and faster swimmers in the booming sport of swimming than ever before. This, just as Schollander’s early selection for the Swimming Hall of Fame, is a sign of the times in this fastest-growing Olympic sport.
Chinese Great Wu Minxia to be inducted as part of Class of 2024
Wu Minxia is the considered the greatest diver in Chinese history, and that’s pretty impressive considering the Chinese produce the greatest divers in the world. Wu was part of the Class of 2023, but was unable to attend due to her commitment in the planning of the Asian Games, which were held at the same time as last year’s induction. We are excited to announce that Wu will be with us this year to be officially inducted on October 5, 2024.
The winner of seven Olympic medals, five of them gold, 14 World Championship medals, eight of those gold, Wu is the most decorated female athlete in the history of diving. As well as collecting four consecutive Olympic 3-meter synchronized springboard titles in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 with three different partners, she also won the 3-meter springboard individual gold in London, 2012.
She began her competitive career at the 2001 World Championships, with partner ISHOF Honoree, Guo Jingjing, winning the 3-meter synchronized event. She and Jingjing went on to win three more titles, with the exception of 2005 when Jingjing partnered with Li Ting. Wu competed in Athens at the 2004 Games, winning gold again with Jingjing in the synchro event, in addition to winning silver in the 3-meter individual event, behind partner Jingjing. At the 2008 Games, she and Jingjing again won the 3-meter synchro event, but Wu took bronze this time in the 3-meter individual event.
Wu and Partner Guo Jingjing
After the 2008 Games, partner Jingjing retired and Wu then partnered with He Zi. This new partnership allowed her to retain the 3-meter synchronized title at the 2011 World Championships. She also won her only World Championship individual title in the 3-meter springboard that same year, 2011. At the 2012 Olympics, Wu’s third Games, she won gold in the 3-meter synchro event along with He, becoming the first woman to win a gold medal in three consecutive Olympic Games. In addition, Wu won a second gold in the individual 3-meter springboard event. By winning the 3-meter synchronized springboard event at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships, with her (third) new partner Shi Tingmao, Wu became the first person to win seven gold medals in the event. They (Wu and Shi) also won gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games and then, finally the 2016 Olympic Games, making her a four-time Olympic gold medalist in the event.
Wu and Partner Shi Tingmao
No one has won more gold medals in the 3-meter synchronized springboard diving event than Wu Minxia.
Come join Wu and this year’s spectacular class of 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN)
Honor Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
ISHOF 59th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
October 4-5, 2024 – Complete schedule will be forthcoming soon.
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here:
https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111.
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
Additional Hotel Option:
Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $199 per night
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE AND TICKETS.
Only 2 Days left to NAME THE ISHOF NEWSLETTER!!!! Could you be THE WINNER???
A
ISHOF Newsletter Contest
ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT !!!!!
The International Swimming Hall of Fame is looking for a new
name for its monthly newsletter and we’ve decided to have a
contest and give all our favorite swimmers, aquatic athletes, and
fans a shot at naming it.
If your choice is selected, you will win two tickets to the 2024
ISHOF Induction Ceremonies or a $100 gift card to the ISHOF Gift
Shop.
The contest is now open and ends April 26th. You may enter your
responses in the comment section of this post or send an email to rob@ishof.org
We will select a winner to be announced on May 1 via ISHOF
socials.
Announcing the 2024 ISHOF Aquatic Awards by AquaCal
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s annual ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented byAquaCal (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 Jay Thomas (USA) for Competitive Swimming; Pedro and Cristiana Pinciroli (BRA) for Water Polo; Sheilagh Boudia (USA) for Diving; Sandra Roberts (CAN) for Artistic/Synchronized Swimming; Chrisand Jenny McCuiston (USA) for Water Safety and Beth Root (USA) for Recreational Swimming. This year’s awards will be held Friday evening on October 4, 2024, as the kickoff to the ISHOF Honoree Induction weekend, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Make your plans now to attend the weekend, October 4-5, 2024!
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:
Jay Thomas (USA) – Competitive Swimming
A long time official currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jay Thomas began his career as a swim parent in Fort Lauderdale, and has continued his career officiating for USA Swimming, the NCAA, and FINA, now World Aquatics. Thomas grew through the ranks of USA Swimming, serving FINA, and World Aquatics in a variety of positions and is currently serving as Secretary of the Technical Swimming Committee (July 2022-present). In addition, he just finished his term as Chairman of the Swimming Committee, for Pan-Am Aquatics (January 2020- Dec 31, 2023). He is a former LSC Officials Chair, National Times Chair and Records Chair. Thomas has been a Head Referee for NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving National Championships. He was a two-term USA Swimming Board of Director and has been the Chairman of the “Our Kids” Initiative, for the last 13 years, a program founded by Pat Lunsford.
Thomas served as a deck official at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and will do so again this summer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He has served at eight FINA World Championships and three Pan American Games.
He is a retired Commander in the United States Naval Reserve and a retired pilot for American Airlines. He has two daughters, Barbara, and Morgan, who both swam for the Florida Gold Coast, where Jay began his officiating days, right at our very own Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.
Sheilagh Boudia (USA) – Competitive Diving
In every sport, there is usually one parent or volunteer that is the glue that holds everything together. And for many years, for USA Diving, beginning in the early 2000’s that glue was named Sheilagh Boudia, Mother of four-time Olympic medalist (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), David Boudia.
Sheilagh started out as a parent volunteer, but it turned out she could do anything. “She could fix any problem during any event”, said former 2017 Paragon Award Winner, Linda Paul. Everyone came to rely on her. During the National Championships, the NCAA was using the computer program, “Diving Meets” as the scoring system. She learned it, ran it, could troubleshoot it and when the creator and founder, suddenly passed away, she took over the running of it. She became so good as a volunteer, the company, Diving Meets, eventually hired Boudia to work for them as an employee, where she remains today.
2016 Paragon Award Winner and Head Diving Coach at the University of Michigan, Cokey Smith Huffman, who has worked with Mrs. Boudia for years says, “Sheilagh worked tirelessly and dedicated herself to making diving and Diving Meets successful. It was always about diving and what was best for the divers”. “Wherever someone was needed, we always called Sheilagh, because we knew we could rely on her to troubleshoot any problem and once it was in her hands, we no longer needed to worry about it,” says Steve McFarland, former President of USA Diving. Her husband, Jim Boudia was always in the background to lend a helping hand to her as well.
“Not only could you be confident in Sheilagh, she was always selfless; she never put herself, or her son first. She has an incredible integrity about her. She would even get up from the table when her son David was diving so as not to appear to show any conflict of interest,” said another former USA Diving staffer.
Sandra Roberts (CAN) – Artistic Swimming
Sandra Roberts’ contributions to artistic swimming is immeasurable. She began as an athlete, continued in her role as a coach, judge, and finally, administrator.
Roberts has judged at the Canadian National Synchronized Swimming Championships for 37 years from 1968 to 2005. She became an international judge in 1978 and received her initial FINA accreditation in 1985. In 1988, she received the FINA ‘A’ rating, and later became a ‘judge’s judge’ when she began evaluating judges in addition to offering judging clinics all over the world. Sandra’s international resume is quite extensive: four Swiss Opens, five Pan American Games, one Commonwealth Games, nine World Cups, nine World Championships, four Olympic Qualifiers, four Olympic Games, as well as more than 30 other international competitions.
After approximately 50 years of involvement with artistic swimming, Sandra retired at the end of the 2004/05 season.
Pedro and Cris Pinciroli (BRA) – Water Polo
Pedro Pinciroli is a businessman, former Olympic water polo athlete and worked as an executive in media. Currently he is president of the group iFob – Innovative Family Office- and develops business opportunities in the financial and real estate sectors. In the media, he was CEO and Board Member of the Superior Council of Grupo Folha, a conglomerate which publishes the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.
Pedro participated in two editions of the Olympic Games as a water polo player (1964, Tokyo and 1968, Mexico City) that left profound marks on his mind and body, creating a frame of reference that dominates the way in which he thinks and acts.
In the Olympic Games of Mexico (1968) he was ranked among the top scorers, and he was chosen by the coaches as a highlight of water polo in the Olympics. He was Captain of the Brazilian national team from 1968 to 1976.
He was considered in 1965 by FINA as Featured Player of the Americas and was mentioned by the International Association of Coach, as a player who could join any team in the world.
Pedro conceived and led the process of adoption of the Piva Law- sanctioned by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on July 16, 2001, which states that 2% of the gross revenues of all federal lotteries in the country are transferred to the Brazilian Olympic Committee and to the Brazilian Paralympics Committee – along with the Minister Saul Ramos, Senator Pedro Piva and President of the COB, Carlos Arthur Nuzman.
Cristiana was captain of the Brazilian National Water Polo team. She played professionally in Italy and at the end of her sports career, was considered among the top players in the world. Her first moment of transition was from sport to the business world.
She enjoyed 25 years as an executive at a leading Brazilian bank. There, she leveraged her experiences and strengths in sport and successfully led teams in realizing their full potential. Her second moment of transition was in 2019, when she left the bank and became an author. She wrote the award-winning book – “Sport: A Stage for Life” – launched both in English and Portuguese.
Cris is an expert in high performance and happiness. She works with organizations and athletes to nurture human potential in a journey of success and well-being.
Beth Root (USA)– Recreational Swimming
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) is a global drowning prevention event launched by the World Waterpark Association in 2010. The program is supported by leading aquatics and safety organizations around the world and takes place at all types of aquatic facilities from huge waterparks to public pools and swim schools. WLSL serves as a platform to help communities build awareness about the fundamental importance of teaching children to swim. As we at ISHOF know, swimming is a life-saving skill for children, and a vital tool to prevent drowning, and is the number one cause of death for U.S. children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause for ages 5-14.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL) was the brainchild of Mrs. Beth Root. The World Waterpark Association wanted an idea to drive media attention to support National Water Safety Month. Root came up with the World’s Largest Swim Lesson (WLSL), and the World Waterpark Association (WWA) championed it. Root managed all program elements, from logos and marketing materials to a social media program, and “how-to guides” for all participating facilities and more. And it was all done on a pro-bono basis. 14 years later, the WLSL is still going strong and larger than ever!
Beth Root is a former competitive swimmer and lifeguard, who began her career in waterparks. She is now the principal at Buzzonic, a Kansas City, Mo. based marketing strategy and integration agency that she founded. Since 1986, she’s attended every WWA convention with husband, WWA President and 2005 Paragon Award winner, in Recreational Swimming, Rick Root.
Chris and Jenny McCuiston (USA) –Aquatic Safety
Chris and Jenny McCuiston founded Goldfish Swim School in their hometown of Birmingham, Michigan in 2006. Recognizing the demand for swim lessons in the area, Jenny, an Olympic Trials qualifier, with a degree in early childhood development, and Chris, a finance major from Michigan State University, set out to create a child-focused facility to help children become safer and more confident in and around the water.
Prior to opening Goldfish, the high school sweethearts traveled the country for swim school research, inspiration, and direction. Utilizing the knowledge gained through their travels, along with Jenny’s extensive knowledge of swimming and teaching, and Chris’ strong financial and business background, every aspect and detail of the swim school was carefully thought out. Upon opening, Goldfish Swim School quickly grew popular for its innovative approach to teaching, along with the child-friendly décor, 90-degree pool, and dedication to providing a golden experience. The couple, along with Chris’ brother Andrew, built on this success by expanding their business as a franchise.
Today there are more than 165 Goldfish Swim Schools open or in development throughout North America, teaching water safety to more than 200,000 children each week. In addition to being hands-on with the Goldfish Franchise, the couple are also dedicated parents to four young boys.
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 Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Spa, 321 Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL (954) 467-1111. The ISHOF Aquatic Awards are typically held on the evening before the ISHOF Honoree Induction, and are the kickoff to the weekend celebration. In addition to the ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal, we will also be honoring the recipients of the ISHOF Specialty Awards which include the Buck Dawson Author’s Award, the Every Child A Swimmer Award and many others. They will be announced next week.
Ticket information for all events, including the 2024 ISHOF 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 #Honoreeinduction #WorldAquatics #USA #Canada #Brazil #Westinfortlauderdalebeachresort
Dr. Bill Kent becomes an MLC Honorary Life Member
The Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation (MLC) proudly announces that the Chairman of the Board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the spiritual mission of “Every Child A Swimmer”, Dr. Bill Kent (USA), became an Honorary Life Member.
Dr Bill Kent was born on September 1, 1942, nine months after America entered World War II and learned swimming at the age of 10. He has accomplished everything (family, business, volunteerism). He holds a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Global Business. He worked in General Electric Company, Chester Products, Team Horner Group in numerous roles from the bottom to the top. “Team Horner” is a group of companies focused on different functions within the swimming pool and spa business worldwide. His export company, HornerXpress Worldwide, has customers in 105 countries. As a Chairman of the Board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), he inspires and blesses the fields of swimming and water safety by sailing the “Mecca of Aquatics” to new and safer horizons. To cope with the burden of drowning, he leads the spiritual mission of “Every Child A Swimmer”, changed the state legislation and implemented a water safety program for public awareness in hospitals. He is a frequent speaker and article contributor to national and international conferences and papers in topics like business leadership, company culture and philanthropy. He has founded the Bill Kent Family Foundation, and served the National Swimming Pool Foundation and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance in numerous leading roles. For his contributions he was honored countless times. Lifetime Achievements Award (Florida Swimming Pool Association, 2023); Service and Commitment Award (ISHOF, 2021); Outstanding Public Leadership Award (Florida Tax Watch, 2021); Philanthropist of the Year” (Florida Swimming Pool Association, 2020); recognition as one of “the 10 most impactful people” (Swimming World Magazine, 2017); Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (American Psychological Association National, 2014, 2015); Honorary Dean (University of Pools and Spas continuing education program: 2000); Presidential Honor Award (ISHOF & Kalos Kagathos Foundation, 1995); Florida Pool & Spa Association Hall of Fame Award 1987; Treasure Coast Chapter Special Support Award 1987; U.S. Department of Energy Award 1985; San Juan Pools Special Achievement Award 1984; TEC Innovation Award 1993 Florida Man of the Year Award 1976. He believes in working, growing and winning together and that the best is yet to come!
Dr. Kent, commented about his recognition: “It is an honor to receive this recognition; the International Swimming Hall of Fame is also honored, since my role there is what has caused this personal honor. We support your mission to advance drowning prevention through lifesaving sport within the Mediterranean basin totally!”
The MLC President, Giorgio Quintavalle and the MLC Secretary General, Dr Stathis Avramidis, said on this occasion: “Dr Kent is an extraordinary individual. He has a unique talend to take the best out of everyone who is blessed to be associated or work with him. He is wise, generous, visionary, passionate, tireless, humble and innovative. He loves everything that has to do with swimming and water safety. His morality, values, work and voluntry ethics make the world a better and safer place!”
The award presentation will take place at a special ceremony during the first Mediterranean Lifesaving Championships in Rome, Italy on 24-27, July, 2024.
Scott “Scotty” Lazeroff (male) and Izzi Mroz (female) crowned the first ever HIGH DIVE LIVE! champion!
Divers with ISHOF Executive Committee Member Mike Dooley
Over the weekend, eleven of the world’s best high divers gave the City of Fort Lauderdale an unforgettable show, full of inspiring athleticism, jaw dropping airtime, and fierce competition. High Dive Global partnered together with the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) to present the very first ever, HIGH DIVE LIVE!
The event offered general admission tickets, as well as VIP tickets, which included an open bar, tour of the tallest diving tower in the western hemisphere, virtual reality high dive experience and a meet and greet with the incredible athletes.
Each day the show began and ended with a bang as seven divers flew simultaneously in tight formation demonstrating a perfect mass dive. Shortly thereafter, local junior and masters divers demonstrated their skills, and the prerequisites for high diving. The main event was a friendlycompetition between 11 of the worlds best high divers. After the first round, the standings were so tight, that the top three athletes were called back to perform a second dive to decide the winner.
On Day one, the finalists were Scott “Scotty” Lazeroff, USA, who is an Olympic trials finalist and placed 16th at his first World Championships earlier this year, James Lichtenstein, USA, and Kivanc Gur, of Turkey, with Scotty ultimately being crowned the first ever HIGH DIVE LIVE! champion! Day 2 the finalists were Izzi Mroz, USA, who dove for Virginia Tech and transitioned into high diving less than a year ago, Scott Lazeroff, USA and Matt Cooper, USA with Izzi Mroz, USA, becoming the first ever woman to be crowned HIGH DIVE LIVE! champion.
ISHOF Chairman of the Board, Bill Kent and Ellie Smart / ISHOF Exec. Comm. Members Mike (Bonnie) DooleyMatt (Barrie Lipton)
After the competition athletes headed up to the VIP area where audience members had a chance to take photos with the athletes and ask any questions they had about high diving. The Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Dean Trantalis, and District 2 City Commissioner and ISHOF Board Member, Steve Glassman stopped by to view some of the excitement taking place in our fabulous city! And you couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day weather-wise!
Mayor Dean Trantalis, City of Fort Lauderdale
#ISHOF #CityofFortLauderdale #HighDiveLive! #USADiving #mayordeanftl #VisitLauderdale #FortLauderdaleAquaticCenter #TeamHorner
Just when you thought Katie Ledecky couldn’t get any COOLER….
Photo Credit: Peter H. Bick
Check out this video of Law and Order SVU’s Marisa Hargitay on Katie Ledecky:
https://www.facebook.com/nbcolympics/videos/1112533819797917
Are you ready for the Paris Games??? We know we are!
2024 Paris Summer Olympics Competition Schedule
DateEventTime (ET)July 27Women’s 100m Butterfly – HeatsWomen’s 400m Freestyle – HeatsMen’s 100m Breaststroke – HeatsMen’s 400m Freestyle – HeatsWomen’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay – HeatsMen’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay – Heats5a-7aWomen’s 100m Butterfly – SemifinalsMen’s 400m Freestyle – FinalWomen’s 400m Freestyle – FinalMen’s 100m Breaststroke – SemifinalsWomen’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay – FinalMen’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay – Final2:30p-4:30pJuly 28Men’s 200m Freestyle – HeatsMen’s 400m Medley – HeatsWomen’s 100m Breaststroke – HeatsMen’s 100m Backstroke – HeatsWomen’s 200m Freestyle – Heats5a-7aMen’s 400m Medley – FinalWomen’s 100m Butterfly – FinalMen’s 200m Freestyle – SemifinalsWomen’s 100m Breaststroke – SemifinalsMen’s 100m Backstroke – SemifinalsMen’s 100m Breaststroke – FinalWomen’s 200m Freestyle – Semifinals2:30p-4:30pJuly 29Women’s 400m Medley – HeatsWomen’s 100m Backstroke – HeatsMen’s 800m Freestyle – Heats5a-7aWomen’s 400m Medley – FinalMen’s 200m Freestyle – FinalWomen’s 100m Backstroke – SemifinalsMen’s 100m Backstroke – FinalWomen’s 100m Breaststroke – FinalWomen’s 200m Freestyle – Final2:30p-4:30pJuly 30Men’s 200m Butterfly – HeatsMen’s 100m Freestyle – HeatsWomen’s 1500m Freestyle – HeatsWomen’s 100m Freestyle – HeatsMen’s 200m Breaststroke – HeatsMen’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – Heats5a-7aMen’s 100m Freestyle – SemifinalsMen’s 200m Butterfly – SemifinalsWomen’s 100m Backstroke – FinalMen’s 800m Freestyle – FinalWomen’s 100m Freestyle – SemifinalsMen’s 200m Breaststroke – SemifinalsMen’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – Final2:30p-4:30pJuly 31Women’s 200m Breaststroke – HeatsMen’s 200m Backstroke – HeatsWomen’s 200m Butterfly – Heats5a-7aWomen’s 100m Freestyle – FinalMen’s 200m Butterfly – FinalMen’s 200m Breaststroke – FinalWomen’s 1500m Freestyle – FinalMen’s 200m Backstroke – SemifinalsWomen’s 200m Breaststroke – SemifinalsWomen’s 200m Butterfly – SemifinalsMen’s 100m Freestyle – Final2:30p-4:30pAugust 1Women’s 200m Backstroke – HeatsMen’s 50m Freestyle – HeatsMen’s 200m Medley – HeatsWomen’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – Heats5a-7aWomen’s 200m Butterfly – FinalMen’s 200m Backstroke – FinalWomen’s 200m Backstroke – SemifinalsWomen’s 200m Breaststroke – FinalMen’s 200m Medley – SemifinalsMen’s 50m Freestyle – SemifinalsWomen’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – Final2:30p-4:30pAugust 2Men’s 100m Butterfly – HeatsWomen’s 200m Medley – HeatsWomen’s 800m Freestyle – Heats4x100m Mixed Medley – Heats5a-7aMen’s 50m Freestyle – FinalWomen’s 200m Backstroke – FinalMen’s 200m Medley – FinalMen’s 100m Butterfly – SemifinalsWomen’s 200m Medley – Semifinals2:30p-4:30pAugust 3Women’s 50m Freestyle – HeatsMen’s 1500m Freestyle – HeatsMen’s 4x100m Medley Relay – HeatsWomen’s 4x100m Medley Relay – Heats5a-7aMen’s 100m Butterfly – FinalWomen’s 50m Freestyle – SemifinalsWomen’s 200m Medley – FinalWomen’s 800m Freestyle – Final4x100m Mixed Medley – Final2:30p-4:30pAugust 4Women’s 50m Freestyle – FinalMen’s 1500m Freestyle – FinalMen’s 4x100m Medley Relay – FinalWomen’s 4x100m Medley Relay – Final12:30p-2:30pAugust 8Women’s 10km Open Water1:30a-4:30aAugust 9Men’s 10km Open Water1:30a-4:30a
Venues
La Défense Arena will be transformed for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The home of the French rugby union club, Racing 92, will make room for roughly 660,000 gallons of water in the form of an Olympic-size swimming pool thanks to its modular, multipurpose design.