Classic Throwback Thursday: Six World Record Holders in one Car ~ L to R: Ludy Langer, Charlotte Boyle, Johnny Weissmuller, Norman Ross, Robert L. Pearson, Ethelda Bleibtrey, 1923
All six in this photo are Honorees with the exception of Robert L. Pearson. Read their bios below to learn each of their fascinating stories. The photo was taken in 1923, Johnny was the only one who would go on to swim in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. The others had competed in the 1920 Games.
Ludy Langer
Honor Swimmer (1988)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1920 silver (400m freestyle); WORLD RECORDS: 2 (440yd, 500m freestyle); U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 from 1915-1921.
Ludy Langer won a silver medal in the 400 meter freestyle at Antwerp in 1920. He set two world records in the 440 yard and 500 meter freestyle and won eight U.S. National Championships from 1915 through 1921. He held the world record in the quarter mile for five years until he lost it to Hall of Famer Norman Ross, the same Ross who touched him out for the 400 meter gold at Antwerp. Langer was just hitting his stride with a victory in Hawaii over the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, when World War I interrupted his career. He returned to win his last two Nationals in 1921.
Charlotte Boyle (USA)
Honor Pioneer Swimmer (1988)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: WORLD RECORDS: 2 (200m, 220 yd freestyle); U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 (50yd to 5 mile long distance). Competed in 1910’s and 1920’s. First great freestyle swimmer of the dominant New York Women’s Swimming Association.
Charlotte Boyle set two world records and won eight U.S. National Championships on both sides of the 1920 Olympics. Charlotte Boyle was the first great freestyler of the dominant New York Women’s Swimming Association and coach L. de B. Handley, the first U.S. scientific swimming coach. Her style and glamour added to a large dose of talent, helped to popularize competitive women’s swimming. She concluded her career with a story book marriage and a long life of service, teaching thousands to swim. Her own competitive career included winning nationals from 50 yards to the five mile national long distance. Her world records were in the 200 meter and 220 yard middle distance events.
Johnny Weissmuller (USA)
Honor Swimmer (1965)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1924 gold (100m, 400m freestyle; 4x200m freestyle relay), bronze (water polo); 1928 gold (100m freestyle; 4x200m freestyle relay); WORLD RECORDS: 51; U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 52; Played Tarzan in 16 movies.
Johnny Weissmuller holds no current world swimming records and by today’s Olympic standards, you might say he never swam very fast, but you can’t get anyone who ever saw him swim say that there ever was a greater swimmer. This was the verdict of 250 sportswriters at A.P.’s mid-century poll and it is still the verdict 15 years later.
He was the swim great of the 1920’s Golden Age of Sports, yet because of the movies and TV, he is as much a part of the scene in the 1960s as he was in the 1920s when his name was coupled with sports immortals such as Babe Ruth, Bill Tilden, Bobby Jones, Jack Dempsey and Red Grange. He is the only one of this group more famous today than in the “Golden Age.”
Weissmuller set many world records and won 5 gold medals in two Olympics (1924 and 1928). He never lost a race in 10 years of amateur swimming in distances from 50 yards to 1/2 mile. Johnny’s 51 seconds 100 yard freestyle record set June 5, 1927, in the University of Michigan Union Pool stood for 17 years until it was broken by Alan Ford at Yale in 1944. The 100 yd. distance is swum more often than any other, yet in 17 years, only one man ever swam it faster. That man was Johnny Weissmuller, who later, as a professional in the Billy Rose World’s Fair Aquacade swam 48.5 at the New York Athletic Club while training Walter Spence to win the nationals. For those who think swimmers must be teenage bobby-soxers, it might be of interest to note that Spence was 35 at the time and Weissmuller was 36.
His record of 52 national championship gold medals should stand forever. He is famous for his chest high crawl stroke seen by millions in Olympic swim stadiums, on movie screens and on TV, but he also held world records in the backstroke and never lost a race in that stroke. “I got bored,” says Johnny, “so I swam on my back where I could spend more time looking around.” Weissmuller set 51 world records in his ten years as an amateur but many more times he broke world records and never turned in the record applications. Every time he swam, the crowd expected a new record, so Johnny learned pace. He learned how to shave his records a tenth of a second at a time. If he missed, his 350 lb. coach Bill Bachrach would say “rest a few minutes, Johnny, and we’ll swim again.” Bachrach would promise his protégé a dinner if he broke the record and Johnny always seemed to be hungry. Many a world mark was set with only a couple of visiting coaches or a few guests of the Illinois Athletic Club to watch.
Every old-timer in swimming has a favorite Johnny Weissmuller story. To them all, he was the world’s greatest swimmer, yet ironically the producer who signed him to play Tarzan didn’t know Johnny could swim. “Many think I turned pro to go into the movies,” Johnny says, “but this is not true. I was working for a bathing suit company for $500 a week for five years, which was not bad money then (or now). I was in Los Angeles and they asked me if I would like to screen test for Tarzan. I told them ‘no thanks’ but they said I could go to the MGM lot and meet Greta Garbo and have lunch with Clark Gable. Any kid would want to do that so I said ‘okay’. I had to climb a tree and then run past the camera carrying a girl. There were 150 actors trying for the part, so after lunch, I took off for Oregon on my next stop for the swim suit outfit. Somebody called me on the phone and said ‘Johnny, you got it.’ ‘Got what?’ ‘You’re Tarzan.’ ‘What happened to those other 150 guys?’ ‘They picked you.’”
“So the producer asked me my name and he said it would never go. ‘We’ll have to shorten it,’ he said. ‘Weissmuller is to long. It will never go on a marquee.’ The director butted in. ‘Don’t you ever read the papers?’ he asked the producer. ‘This guy is the world’s greatest swimmer.’ The producer said he only read the trade papers, but okay, I could keep my name and he told the writers, ‘put a lot of swimming in the movie, because this guy can swim.’”
“So you see why I owe everything to swimming,” Weissmuller says. “It not only made my name, it saved my name. Without swimming, I’d be a nobody. Who ever heard of Jon Weis, marquee or no marquee.”
Besides swimming, Johnny Weissmuller played on two U.S. Olympic water polo teams. “Water polo’s a rough game,” Johnny says. “We never could beat those Yugoslavians. They never blow a whistle over there. Anyhow, that’s where I learned to duck. It came in handy when Cheetah started throwing coconuts.”
Norman Ross (USA)
Honor Swimmer (1967)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1920 gold (400m, 1500m freestyle; 4x200m freestyle relay), 4th (100m freestyle); WORLD RECORDS: 13; U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 18
Not to be outdone by either Cann or Furuhashi, Norman Ross was decorated by General Pershing in world War I., served as aide to Gen. Doolittle in World War II.
In swimming, this great hulk of a man (6 ft. 2 in.–210 lbs.) held 13 FINA world records, won 18 U.S. National championships, held a total of 72 world, national and central U.S. records. He was the first non “trudgen” middle distance freestyler, using a scissor kick, 2 minors and a major as he turned to breathe (very similar to Roy Saari’s kick 40 years later). Ross dominated both the 1919 Allied War Games with 5 firsts and the 1920 Olympics where he won 3 gold medals in the 400 meter freestyle, 1500 meter freestyle and as part of the USA’s 800 meter freestyle relay. He worked out on the end of a rope in a canvas tank on shipboard.
As with most great swimmers of his era, Norman Ross wrangled a trip to Hawaii, but unlike the others, he returned with a Hawaiian Princess as his bride.
Ross certainly qualifies as one of the world’s all-time great swimmers, but it is as a showman and leader of swimmers that he is best remembered. A master of “psyching” other swimmers, he also psyched the Olympic officials by calling a strike which the Olympic athletes won for a better ship home than the “cattle boat we went over on.”
A few years later, after he had briefly coached the Detroit Athletic Club, Ross was back in Chicago and decided to try the Wrigley Marathon from Catalina Island to the California mainland. He was training in Lake Michigan and took a short training swim from the Lee Street Beach in neighboring Evanston to the first beach on Chicago’s north side. Naturally all sunbathers were watching the head bobbing in the waves way out on the lake. Norman Ross, never one to disappoint a crowd swam into where he could stand in the water chest deep. “Is this Milwaukee?” he boomed. “No,” said the sunbathers, “It’s Chicago.” “Nuts!” said Ross, slapping the water, “I must have missed my turn!”, after which he dove back in and began swimming north.
After retirement from swimming, Norman Ross went into the music business and broke more records as this country’s first classical disc jockey.
Receiving the award is Norman Ross, Jr., who, like his late father, is a familiar voice on Chicago radio and television.
Ethelda Bleibtrey (USA)
Honor Swimmer (1967)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1920 gold (100m, 300m freestyle; 4x100m freestyle relay); WORLD RECORDS: freestyle, backstroke; NATIONAL AAU CHAMPIONSHIPS: between 1920 and 1922 won every national championship from 50yd to 1 mile; turned professional in 1922 after an undefeated amateur career.
Ethelda Bleibtrey was the USA’s first female Olympic swimming champion and the only person ever to win all the women’s swimming events at any Olympic Games. She took up competitive swimming for the first time in 1918, won the nationals within a year, and was the best in the world by the end of the second year (1920 Olympics).
Miss Bleibtrey won 3 gold medals in the Games at Antwerp and says only fate kept her from being swimming’s first 4 gold medal winner in one Olympic Game, an honor Hall of Famer Don Schollander accomplished 44 years later in Tokyo. “At that time,” she says, “I was the world record holder in backstroke but they didn’t have women’s backstroke, only freestyle in those Olympics.”
For her world and Olympic records in the 100 and 300 meter freestyle and anchor leg of the winning U.S. 400 freestyle relay, Ethelda was congratulated by King Albert of Belgium. She later surfed with the Prince of Wales in Hawaii, dated oarsman Jack Kelly in Atlantic City, and triumphantly toured the Panama Canal, Australia and New Zealand. The invitation down under came when she was the first girl ever to beat Hall of Famer Fanny Durack, the long-time Australian multi-world record holder on Fanny’s U.S. tour in 1919.
Miss Bleibtrey had several other firsts for which she got citations but no medals. Her first citation was for “nude swimming” at Manhattan Beach. She removed her stockings before going in to swim. This was considered nudity in 1919. Resulting publicity and public opinion swinging in her favor not only emancipated Ethelda from jail, but women’s swimming from stockings. On her trip to Australia with Charlotte Boyle the misses Bleibtrey and Boyle were the second and third famous women to bob their hair — something Irene Castle had just introduced. Charlotte’s parents told them not to come home until it grew out (citation #2), for which they were reprieved when the ship landed and the Boyle’s decided it didn’t look as bad as they had feared. Citation #3 got Ethelda arrested in Central Park and paddy-wagonned down to the New York police station for a night in jail but it also got New York its first big swimming pool in Central Park after Mayor Jimmy Walker intervened.
It happened like this: “The New York Daily News” wanted the City to open up its Central Park reservoir for swimming and arranged to have Ethelda arrested while diving in. For this they paid her $1,000.00, money she sorely needed after an abortive attempt to turn pro with a tank tour of the Keith Circuit. Her tank leaked — all over the theater — and Keith’s sued her instead of continuing her promised 14 week tour.
Ethelda Bleibtrey, who started swimming because of polio, and took it up seriously to keep her friend Charlotte Boyle company, turned pro in 1922 after winning every national AAU championship from 50 yards to long distance (1920-1922) in an undefeated amateur career. She also started the U.S. Olympians Association with Jack Kelly, Sr., and later became a successful coach and swimming teacher in New York and Atlantic City. She is currently a practicing nurse in North Palm Beach, Florida — not as young but just as interesting. The sparkle remains in her eyes as she tells how they swam their 1920 Olympic races “in mud and not water,” in a tidal estuary; and how she participated in the first athletic sit-in when Hall of Famer Norman Ross organized the Olympic team to sit it out on the beach in Europe until the U.S. Olympic Committee sent better accommodations for the voyage home. “I have my memories,” says Ethelda, “and I guess some of those other people remember too. I owe a great deal to swimming and to Charlotte Boyle, who got me in swimming and L. deB. Handley, who coached me to the top.”
Happy Birthday Nathalie Schneyder!
Nathalie Schneyder (USA)
Honor Synchronized / Artistic Swimmer (2013)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (team); 1991 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: gold (team); 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: gold (team); 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 FINA WORLD CUP: gold (team); 1991 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (team); 1988, 1992 SWISS OPEN: gold (team); 1991 ROME OPEN: gold (team); 1993 CHINA OPEN: silver (duet); 1994 FRENCH OPEN: gold (team); 1992 U.S. NATIONALS: gold (team), 4th (solo); 1993 U.S. NATIONALS: silver (team), bronze (duet), 5th (solo); 1994 U.S. NATIONALS: silver (team), 4th (duet) 6th (solo); 1995 U.S. NATIONALS: silver (team), bronze (solo).
When Nathalie fell into the swimming pool at the age of four and almost drowned, her mother decided she needed swimming lessons to keep her safe. Within four years, she was competing in synchro as a member of the Walnut Creek Synchronized Swimming Team.
Like in any sport, a number of coaches helped her along the way. Linda Kreiger started her synchronized swimming career; Betty Hazel coached her when she was twelve; Joan Marie Vanaski was her junior team coach who taught her to dance; Hall of Famer Gail Johnson Pucci brought her from the junior team to the club’s “A” team, developing her creativity; Lynn Virglio provided most of the 3,000 to 6,000 yards training before they started synchro training each day; Karen Babb worked tirelessly to get her figures up to par; and Chris Carver, National Team Coach gave her the final touch. But it was Hall of Fame coach Gail Emery who served as her club coach and developed her into the Olympic champion she would become.
As member of the United States National Team for nine years, she and her team rarely missed the top of the podium, winning five FINA World Cups and two FINA World Championships. Winning the 1994 French Open Team Championship in front of her family was special to Nathalie, because her mom and dad had both emigrated from France to the USA. At the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Nathalie reached every athlete’ s dream when she helped the USA win the gold medal with a perfect score of “10 “ in the freestyle event. This was the first and only perfect score of “10” in Olympic synchronized swimming history until Russia received the same award in Beijing for their freestyle routine. But for all of her accomplishments in the pool, she is also famous for the perfect pose with teammate Margo Thien that appeared in “Life Magazines” Celebration of the Olympic Body.
Since retiring from the sport, she has coached, been a consultant and choreographed for teams in China, Great Britain, Argentina and the Netherlands, as well as the U.S. Junior National Team and helped Stanford to their first synchronized swimming Collegiate National Championship.
ISHOF Paragon Awards to become ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal
In 1996, the International Swimming Hall of Fame first began looking for a sponsor to partner with for a new annual award we were creating that would celebrate the unsung heroes who make competitive and recreational aquatics possible. The individuals that we would honor, would be the people who save lives, promote water safety and further aquatic education around the world. The idea would be to recognize these important people who are often overlooked, during the ISHOF Honoree Induction Weekend. Paragon was a wonderful partner for many, many years. We could not have asked for a greater relationship, but after 28 years we are parting ways with Paragon / Pentair as the Title sponsor. Paragon / Pentair will stay involved with ISHOF, but in a smaller capacity.
ISHOF has decided to change the name of the event to the “ISHOF Aquatic Awards”, presented by whoever sponsor we choose. This way if it changes year to year, it will be a much easier name change.
So, for the very first time, for the year 2023, ISHOF is proud to present the ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal.
Mike Dooley, President of Team Horner and AquaCal had this to say about AquaCal’s new partnership with ISHOF: “For decades, the International Swimming Hall of Fame has had a program called “Every Child a Swimmer”, which existed largely in obscurity. Created by champions, the program itself was in need of champions to fulfill its “Spiritual Mission” of teaching children to swim. AquaCal, a subsidiary of The Team Horner Group, in collaboration with the Professional Swimming Pool Industry, The Bill Kent Family Foundation, the World of Aquatics professionals, and State Government Officials, is working to support the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s “Spiritual Mission” of teaching every child to be a swimmer. “In addition to our efforts with the Every Child A Swimmer mission, we are extremely proud to be newly partnered with ISHOF in recognizing this stellar group of individuals who are the recipients of the 2023 ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal. “
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 International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s annual ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal. The ISHOF Aquatic Awards are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year’s recipients are Mike Unger for Competitive Swimming; Mark Koganov for Water Polo; Ellie Smart for Diving; Maria Jóse Bilbao Bruñel for Artistic/Synchronized Swimming; Cullen Jones for Water Safety and Sofia Forte for Recreational Swimming. This year’s awards will be held Friday evening September 29, 2023 during the ISHOF Honoree Induction weekend, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
To make hotel reservations,
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar.¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night, BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE
($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169-$189 per night
Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023 ~ Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2023
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
Make your plans now to attend the weekend, September 29-30, 2023!
Happy Birthday Adrian Moorhouse
Adrian Moorhouse (GBR)
Honor Swimmer (1999)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES: 4th (100m breaststroke); 1988 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m breaststroke); 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: 8th (100m breaststroke); ONE WORLD RECORD: 100m breaststroke: 1991 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: silver (100m breaststroke); 1982 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: gold (100m breaststroke), silver (4x100m medley relay), bronze (200m breaststroke); 1986 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: gold (200m breaststroke), silver (100m breaststroke, 4x100m medley relay); 1990 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: gold (100m breaststroke), silver (4x100m medley relay); 1981 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: silver (200m breaststroke); 1983 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (200m breaststroke), silver (100m breaststroke); 1985 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m breaststroke); 1987 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m breaststroke), silver (4x100m medley relay), bronze (200m breaststroke); 1989 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m breaststroke); 1991 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: silver (100m breaststroke); ONE U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP: short course (100y breaststroke); Awarded MBE.
Not since David Wilkie in the 1970’s had Great Britain seen a breaststroker like Adrian Moorhouse. Duncan Goodhew had won the Olympic gold medal in Moscow in 1980, but Moorhouse was equally great in the 100m and 200m races. He was destined to become the world’s best.
It all began in Leeds at age 4 when Moorhouse started swimming. However by age 9, he developed bronchial asthma and the doctor’s antidote was “keep swimming and do more of it”. That’s why under the tutelage of Coach Terry Denison at the Leeds Central Swimming Club, Adrian swam his way into the record books.
The 1982 Commonwealth Games at Brisbane were his first major international championships – gold in the 100m breaststroke in front of the Queen, silver in the 4×100 medley relay and bronze in the 200-meter. He won the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke the next year at the European Championships. In 1984 two months before the Olympics, Moorhouse was diagnosed with the German measles and told he had had them for the past three months, explaining the tiredness he had been experiencing. He never really recovered for Los Angeles, finishing a disappointing 4th in the 100m breaststroke. This was a time to heal and with the help of Denison, a time to re-evaluate his life goals.
At the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Moorhouse was back on track winning the 200m breaststroke and taking silver medals in the 100m breast and 4x100m medley relay. At the 1986 Madrid World Championships, he touched first in the 100m event but was disqualified due to a rule infraction. First in the World, but he didn’t win the prize. He continued: 1987, gold in the 100m breaststroke and medley relay at the European Championships in Strasbourg. It was on to Seoul and the 1988 Olympic Games.
In Seoul, he defeated Karoly Guttler (HUN) and Dimitri Volkov (URS) to win the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:02.04. He had previously set the world record in 1989 with a time of 1:01.49 breaking Steve Lundquist’s (USA) 5 year old record and equaling it another 2 times on separate occasions. Moorhouse wanted to continue after the Games. At the 1989 European Championships he won gold in the 100m breast and silver two years later in 1991 for a total of 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in a decade of European Championship swimming.
Adrian competed in his third Olympic Games in 1992 earning an 8th place finish in the 100m breaststroke behind Nelson Diebel (USA).
Spanning a phenomenal 14 year swimming career against such greats as Steve Lundquist (USA), Victor Davis (CAN), Karoly Guttler (HUN) and Mike Barrowman (USA), Adrian set the 100m breaststroke record three times. In all he competed in three Olympic Games and won 3 golds, 4 silver and 1 bronze medal in Commonwealth Games competition. He will be remembered as one of the world’s great breaststroke swimmers.
Share your memories of Fort Lauderdale and your favorite meet at the Hall of Fame Pool
As swimming fans and swimmers, we all have stories: Our first trip to Fort Lauderdale, whether it was to swim at a YMCA National Championship, visit during Christmas at the College Coaches Swim Forum or make a trek to Fort Lauderdale for Spring Break, or visiting the ISHOF Museum the memories are countless. We would love for you to share your #HallofFameMemories with us. Email meg@ishof.org and include your story and your name and we’ll share selected ones with our “swimming family.” We will post our favorites once a week. The best story at the end of the Summer will get a Hall of Fame T-Shirt.
To learn more about the history of Fort Lauderdale’s Casino Pool and Hall of Fame Pool/Aquatic Center, Click here:
Our wonderful friend and ISHOF Honor Swimmer Libby Lenton Trickett welcomes baby #4, a boy!!!!
After three beautiful little girls, Poppy, Eddie and Bronte, Libby gave birth to a beautiful healthy boy on May 17th at 9:09 a.m.
Libby posted via her Instagram page:
“The final little piece to our family puzzle (for reals this time! )
Alfred Sunny Trickett arrived at 9.09am on the 17th of May via an elective caesarean birth, weighing 3.5kg and 52cm long.
Every birth I’ve had has been extraordinary and this one was no different. Calm, full of joy and laughter, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to meet our baby boy.
Alfie has no idea what he’s in for with his 3big sisters and the girls are absolutely smitten. 
”
Libby came halfway around the world to Fort Lauderdale for her induction in 2017 with her husband Luke, her Mother, as babysitter and helper and daughters, Poppy and Eddie, as a newborn.
Congratulations Libby, Luke, Poppy, Eddie, Bronte and welcome to the world Alfred Sunny Trickett!!!!
I can’t remember meeting a lovelier person. Rebecca Adlington was inducted that year too. Between the two of the them, they might have been the sweetest girls ever!
Look who stopped by yesterday! Honoree Michelle Cameron Coulter ~ Honor Synchronized Swimmer from Canada with her husband Allan!
The lovely Michelle Cameron Coulter and her husband, Allan, stopped by the ISHOF Museum yesterday to say hello. Michelle was thrilled to be back, 23 years after her induction! “I only had three children the last time I was here!” We actually found a photo to fit that description at her 2000 induction.
Michelle, Allan and their three children at her 2000 Induction
Michelle and Allan spent a good while going through her “ISHOF file”. Since we spent so much time packing up the museum last year, especially the library, there has been much debate on whether or not we should keep the actual paper articles from the past. Everything now is digitized and it is all available online, so why would we need an article from 1975 or 1947 or even 1936, that is yellowing? Well, Michelle inadvertingly helped answer that questions yesterday. People love going through old things, articles, photos, magazines, they like to touch them, I think; the feel of them, somehow it is different than looking on a computer screen. (Which is how I felt when packing up the library, so we decided to save it all and packed it away.)
Michelle and Allan looking through her old articles, programs, and photos, in her “Honoree file”
We are so glad that the Coulters stopped by to say hello. Even though a lot of our things are packed away waiting for the new museum construction to begin, when an Honoree stops by, it is so wonderful, it makes us remember the reason we are here and why we do what we do every day.
Please read Michelle’s Honoree story below:
Michelle Cameron (CAN)
Honor Synchronized / Artistic Swimmer (2000)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 1988 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (duet); 1986 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (duet, team); 1987 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: silver (team).
Coach Debbie Muir knew exactly what she was doing when she paired Hall of Fame Honoree Carolyn Waldo with this upcoming star just after the 1984 Olympic Games. Waldo had just won the Olympic synchronized swimming solo silver medal in Los Angeles. The young rising partner-to-be had been on the National Team only three years, but the union was to be the best match of the era. Waldo and her new partner, Michelle Cameron, never lost a major international event for the next four years, an Olympic quadrennium.
Michelle started as a youngster extremely fearful of the water, failing her first swimming level four times. From a family of 10 children (5 girls, 5 boys), she learned to survive and by the time she was 13 years old, she started synchronized swimming in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta. Michelle Caulkins became her first coach, but in 1981 Debbie Muir became her mentor at the Calgary Aquabelles Club. After teaming up with Carolyn Waldo in late 1984, Michelle never looked back.
The duet of Cameron and Waldo won every major duet international competition they entered: 1985 Rome and Spanish Opens, 1985 FINA World Cup, 1986 Spanish Open, 1986 Commonwealth Games, 1986 World Championships, 1987 Pan Pacific Championships and the 1987 FINA World Cup.
The 1988 Olympic Games at Seoul were the highlight of her career. Michelle and Carolyn swam to the music of “Spartacus” for their Olympic duet. With their dramatic, technically difficult beginning, slow artistic middle and fast-paced, catchy ending, they beat the USA’s Josephson twins by .433 points to win the gold medal. For Michelle it capped a 13 year career which saw her win 8 national titles in duet and team.
Known as “Mick” or “Mish” by her friends and family, Michelle is known for her adventurousness and spontaneity. In duet synchronized swimming where athletes must synchronize their movements, perform with technical accuracy and be artistic in their approach, they must be equal in performance and ability. Cameron and Waldo were equals when they won their Olympic gold medals and international competitions That’s why they’re Hall of Fame Honorees.
After retirement from competition, Michelle participated in many causes and charities. In 1996, she continued in the Olympic spirit as Canada’s Athlete Services Officer at the Atlanta Games. She has been involved with Special Olympics, children’s charities, drug awareness programs and missions of preventative health and nutritional support to children in need all over the world. She has been on the Board of Directors for Rogers Broadcasting, the Canadian Coaching Association, the Canadian Sports Council, the Canadian Athletes Association and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. As a performance development and motivational speaker, Michelle and her husband, Alan Coulter (two-time Olympic volleyball team member and captain) raise three children. One of her most prestigious awards has been the Order of Canada presented in 1989.
Throwback Thursday Video – 2023 Honoree Michael Phelps as a young teen before he owned any Olympic medals…..
Heather Petri, Sixth Female Water Polo Player to be inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame
Heather Petri is a four-time Olympian, winning one gold (2012), two silver (2000, 2008) and a bronze medal (2004) as part of the USA Women’s National Water Polo Team. She is only one of four women to be a four-time Olympian and one of two, who has won four Olympic medals. Heather is only the sixth woman ever to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in the sport of water polo, behind teammates Brenda Villa and Maureen O’Toole, Australians Debbie Watson and Bridgette Gusterson, and Karin Kuipers of the Netherlands.
As an Olympian, she helped Team USA win the gold medal in the 2012 London Games, the silver medal in 2000- the first-year women were allowed to compete in water polo in the Olympic Games, then in 2008, Beijing; and finally, the bronze in 2004, in the Athens Games.
Petri was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2018, and prior to that, into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013, the same year she had her cap retired by the Cal women’s water polo program, where she played collegiate water polo from 1997–2001. Petri also was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team in 2016.
Petri represented the USA at the other events as well, winning three World Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2009, three gold in the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Finals in 2009, 2011 and 2013 and two Pan American gold medals in 2007 and 2011.
Heather also played professional water in Europe for several seasons and she is currently the Women’s water polo coach at her alma mater, Cal.
Come join Heather and this year’s spectacular class of 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://www.ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
International Swimming Hall of Fame 2023 Honorees
Bob Bowman (USA)……………..…….…….….….…Honor Coach
Chris Carver (USA)………..……………..…….………Honor Coach
Cesar Cielo (BRA)…………..….…….…..….……Honor Swimmer
Kirsty Coventry (ZMB)…………..…….……..….Honor Swimmer
Missy Franklin (USA)…………..…..……..……… Honor Swimmer
Natalia Ischenko (RUS)…….…Honor Synchronized Swimmer
Kosuke Kitajima (JPN)……….……………….……Honor Swimmer
Heather Petri (USA)……..………..…… Honor Water Polo Player
Michael Phelps (USA)………………..….…………Honor Swimmer
Wu Minxia (CHN)……………………..…….………..……Honor Diver
Sam Ramsamy (RSA)…………….………….…..Honor Contributor
Stephane Lecat (FRA).………..…Honor Open Water Swimmer
Trischa Zorn (USA).………..………Honor Paralympic Swimmer
ISHOF 58th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
September 29-30, 2023 – Complete schedule will be forthcoming soon.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50527236
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
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 – $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023: Last Day to Book: Friday, August 31, 2023
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE AND TICKETS
World Aquatics updates and clarification on the Paris 2024 Rules and Qualification
Written by:FINA Communication Department
In a historic milestone for aquatic sports, men will be eligible to compete in the Olympics’ artistic swimming competitions for the first time at the Paris 2024 Games.
Following IOC approval, World Aquatics today announces updates and clarifications to the rules and Olympic Qualification System for aquatic sports at Paris 2024 Games. Key among these was the inclusion of male athletes in artistic swimming.
The change means that, for the first time, both men and women will be eligible to compete in all the aquatic sports included in the Olympic Games programme. Rules enabling the participation of men in team events will also apply to World Aquatics World Championships and Junior World Championships.
Artistic Swimming
Image Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
On 3 October this year, during the Technical Congress, World Aquatics Rule AS 6.2.1 was modified for artistic swimming. The modified rule specifies the following:
For Olympic Games, team routines shall consist of eight (8) competitors. The total number of competitors entered by each Federation (unless otherwise specified) may not exceed nine (9) competitors, one as reserve. The total number of competitors may include a maximum of two (2) male competitors.
Mixed team entries in artistic swimming first featured in an international competition in 1998 and a dedicated mixed event has been featured in World Aquatics competitions since 2015.
“Aquatics sports are universal, and men have proven themselves to be excellent artistic swimmers. I look forward to seeing this new dimension of artistic swimming being shared with the world in Paris. The inclusion of men in artistic swimming is a great credit to all those who have worked for many years to make this happen,” said World Aquatics President Captain Husain Al-Musallam.
Diving
Image Source: World Aquatics/Antoine Saito
The Olympic Qualification System for diving has been clarified. References to phases one, two and three have been deleted or replaced to account for calendaring, with the prospect of Continental Championships taking place before the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2022 (to be held in July 2023). The three pathways to qualification, via the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2022, the Continental Championships and the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 remain.
Open Water Swimming
Image Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
In open water swimming, a clarification has also been issued for those National Olympic Committees (NOCs) wishing to enter pool athletes in the Marathon Swimming event. These athletes must have achieved an Olympic Qualification Time in either the 800m or 1500m freestyle (for both genders). These athletes must also have swum in either the 800m or 1500m freestyle at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 prior to competing in the Marathon Swimming event there. All entries must comply with team limits whereby no more than two athletes per event of the same gender are from the same NOC.
Swimming
Image Source: Al Bello/Getty Images
For the Olympic Qualification System for swimming at Paris 2024, a clarification has also been made. As previously indicated, three (3) NOCs per relay event will qualify for the corresponding relay event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 based on the final results achieved by their respective World Aquatics member federations at the World Aquatics Championships 2022 in Fukuoka.
The remaining 13 teams for each relay event will qualify on the basis of the fastest times from the preliminaries and finals performances of both the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2022 and the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024.
Aquatics Sports at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Image Source: Getty Images
As was the case at Tokyo 2020, aquatics sports at Paris 2024 will offer the most medal opportunities for athletes at the Olympic Games.
Swimming will take place at Paris La Défense Arena, where a temporary pool will be used to enable as many as 17,000 spectators per session to experience the racing, as well as the water polo finals.
Diving, artistic swimming and the preliminary water polo games will take place at the new Aquatics Centre, one of only two sports venues being built for the Olympic Games and due to open in 2023. The Aquatics Centre will ensure a long-term boost to aquatic sports in Seine-Saint-Denis, the area to the North and West of Paris that will also be home to the Olympic Village. Seine-Saint-Denis is currently the French department that is least well-served in terms of swimming pool provision.
Open water swimming will take place in the Seine, the river running through the heart of Paris and providing an iconic experience for athletes, spectators and worldwide audiences alike.