2023 ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal (formerly Paragon Awards) Ceremony will be Celebrated Friday, September 29th in Fort Lauderdale
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s annual ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal( formerly the Paragon Awards). The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal 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.
Make your plans now to attend the weekend, September 29-October 1, 2023!
The annual Awards are a spectacular event that celebrate 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 so proud to recognize these important people at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
About This Year’s Award Recipients:
Mike Unger (USA) – Competitive Swimming
There is probably no one more knowledgeable about swimming than Mike Unger. After spending 28 years at United States Swimming, he was hired as a Senior Advisor at World Aquatics (formerly FINA), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Over the past year and a half, Unger has helped lead World Aquatics efforts at all major aquatic events such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Mike served as USA Swimming’s Chief Operating Officer for the last 18 years of his tenure there. He also served as the organization’s Assistant Executive Director, National Events Director, Marketing Director, National Team Coordinator, and also spent time as the interim Executive Director in April 2017 following the death of longtime Executive Director Chuck Wielgus.
In his role as COO, Unger oversaw all major events, including the U.S. Olympic Trials, the Golden Goggle Awards, the Pan Pacific Championships, and the Duel in The Pool.
In addition to his major roles at USA Swimming, Unger has also worked “on loan” for NBC Sports and Olympics as a co-producer and associate producer at numerous events, including the past seven Olympic Games with friend and on-air talent, ISHOF Honoree Rowdy Gaines. Unger’s work on the Olympic swimming coverage earned him three Emmy awards and five nominations.
Ellie Smart (USA) – Diving
Ellie Smart is the Chief Executive Officer of the International High Diving Institute (IHDI), which was founded to develop the sport of high diving by providing training opportunities, hosting events, and creating a community for athletes, coaches, and fans. The IDHI supports junior and senior development in addition to technical and freestyle disciplines of high diving. The International High Diving Institute partnered with the Utah Olympic Park to construct the United States’ first high diving training platform. Ellie has been the CEO of the IHDI for over two years now. Ellie and a few others are also working to get the sport of high diving included into the Olympic program, hopefully by 2028.
In addition to being the acting CEO of the IHDI, Smart is also a high diver herself. She has made her debut on the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series circuit in 2017 and earned a permanent place in the women’s line-up for the 2019 season with a third place at the FINA World Cup.
Maria José Bilbao Bruñel (ESP) – Artistic Swimming
Maria José Bilbao Bruñel has been involved with synchronized swimming for most of her life. She began as an athlete in her home country of Spain and retired after a successful career. She then began to coach, which eventually led to judging. She was the founding member of her club, CN. Kallipolos in 1968.
She began as a Catalan judge, graduated to national judge and then became an international judge in 1998. She was appointed as a member to the FINA Artistic Swimming Technical Committee, 2009-2022. She was named a FINA Assessor in 2013, and a FINA Referee in 2014. She has been involved in most every type of Artistic competition there is, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
She was FINA Evaluator in 2019 at the World Championships, in 2020 at the Olympic Games, in 2022 at the World Championships in Budapest and in 2022 at COMEN in France as well as many other national and international competitions. Brunel is currently the President of the FINA Innovation Committee, in charge of drawing up the 2022-2025 regulations.
Mark Koganov (AZB) – Water Polo
Photo Courtesy: World Aquatics
Mark Koganov began his career in the sport of water polo as an athlete between the years of 1982-1990 and as a member of National team of Azerbaijan.
He later became a water polo referee, and between 1998 and today, he has officiated in approximately 300 international games, more than 1500 collegiate games in different conferences, including officiating in six NCAA Finals, for both men and women.
Koganov has held numerous aquatic positions, including Water Polo Competitions Director, Aquatic Competitions Manager and has held administrative positions in the sport.
He is currently the Vice President of Azerbaijan Swimming Federation, a position he has held since 2012. He is also a LEN TWPC Member, a position he began serving in 2016 and he was the Vice Chairman of the FINA Technical Water Polo Committee, 2017 – 2022.
Koganov has refereed LEN Champions League, Super Cup Finals, and Championship Finals. He has been a neutral referee for the Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Sofia Forte – Recreational Swimming
Sofia Forte is a P.E. Middle School Teacher at John Hopkins Middle School in St. Petersburg, Florida. As the P.E. teacher, Forte chooses the curriculum for her middle-schoolers. Since they are lucky enough to have E.H. McLin Pool across the street from the school, swimming is always at the top of her list! Sofia knows that drowning is the number #1 cause of deaths in children in the state, not to mention, she sees her kids get healthier by the time the semester is over.
But it isn’t always easy. Sofia pushes her school to work in conjunction with the City of St. Petersburg, who makes its certified lifeguards available as instructors. And the State of Florida helped by passing legislation supporting the work of the “Every Child A Swimmer” program. Children are tested on the first day, then placed in the appropriate level – beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Each child will get a minimum of eight lessons over a two-week period. “Most kids can’t swim on the first day,” said Forte, who has been the driving force behind the program for eight years now. “We want them to be able to save themselves.”
“It is part of our state curriculum, but it is not pushed. Not at all,” Forte added.
Forte and her kids are lucky that they can walk to and from Campbell Park. “If a school has the ability to do it, there’s everything to gain and nothing to lose.”
But you can bet without Sofia Forte spearheading this, this program would not be happening!
Cullen Jones – Water Safety
It is hard to believe that two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones was once afraid of the water. But in fact, as a child, he almost drowned when he was just five. Luckily, his mother enrolled him in a swim program and the rest, as they say is history.
Jones has been an advocate of learn to swim programs for children since he was a member of the USA National team. Cullen will often tell his own story to children to make himself more relatable to anyone learning how to swim. He is a member of multiple initiatives, including being an ambassador for USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash program aimed at promoting water safety on a national level. He is also a member of the Goldfish Swim School. In addition, Cullen is an ambassador for African American swimmers, showing children that black kids can swim too, shattering the stereotype, especially when he became the first African American to break a World Record in swimming, and there was also that time he won two Olympic gold medals.
Cullen makes his way around the country offering opportunities for kids from all walks of life to learn to swim.
More children ages 1-4 die from drowning which is more than any other cause of death. 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings occur each year; that’s 11 drownings occurring each day in the U.S. alone; 70% of African American children, 60% of Latino children and 40% of Caucasian children have little or no swimming ability. Cullen wants to combat these statistics and will continue to fight until maybe one day, its common place for every child to learn to swim, just as easily as it is to read.
The ISHOF Aquatic Awards will be held Friday, September 29, 2023 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL (954) 525-4000. Ticket information will be forthcoming.
For more information call Meg Keller-Marvin at 570.594.4367
#ISHOF #Aquaticawards #USASwimming #Fortlauderdale #Diving #Waterpolo #Artisticswimming #EverychildAswimmer #swimlessons #Honoreeinduction #WorldAqutics #USA #Spain #Azerbaijan #Marriottharborbeach
Legendary Coach Frank Keefe Dies at 85; Leaves Lasting Legacy At Numerous Stops
by MATTHEW DE GEORGE – SENIOR WRITER
05 May 2023, 12:05pm
Legendary Coach Frank Keefe Dies; Leaves Lasting Legacy At Numerous Stops
Legendary swim coach Frank Keefe, who led Yale for more than 30 years and coached a slew of Olympians, has died. Yale confirmed his passing in a statement on Friday. He was 85.
Keefe leaves a long legacy of coaching. He spent a decade at Suburban Swim Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, a regional powerhouse club that continues to churn out collegians. Among his earliest pupils were Olympic medalists Carl Robie and Tim McKee.
The main part of Keefe’s career was spent at Yale, coaching the men’s team from 1978-2010 and the women’s team from 1980-2010. So respected was his work that the Ivy League women’s swimming championship trophy was named the Frank Keefe Trophy while he was still coaching. He combined to win 485 dual meets with the Bulldogs. He won the men’s Ivy League championship in 1991-92 and led the women’s team to five crowns, including undefeated seasons in 1992-93 and 1996-97.
“We have lost a legend,” said current Yale head swim coach Jim Henry in a university statement. “He was an outstanding teacher, coach, ambassador, father and friend who meant so much to so many. Frank loved his swimmers and loved Yale.”
“Frank dedicated his career to the growth and evolution of competitive swimming,” Yale Director of Athletics Victoria M. “Vicky” Chun said. “We were lucky to have him lead Yale Swimming for over three decades, and his legacy will continue to live on through our program.”
In 2009, Keefe was given the American Swimming Coaches Association Award of Excellence. He also won the 2022 USA Swimming Award.
Though he had long-standing ties to Connecticut as an East Haven native, Keefe’s first forays into coaching came outside of Philadelphia. He swam at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania and at Villanova University, graduating in 1960.
He began coaching at Philadelphia Country Club, which led to working at Monsignor Bonner High School (Robie’s alma mater), Saint Joseph’s Prep and Saint Joseph’s University. Robie would go on to win gold in the 200 butterfly at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, an early advertisement of Keefe’s guidance.
Keefe joined Suburban in 1966, a centrally located hub for swimming the greater Philadelphia area founded in 1950 by fellow coaching legend Peter Daland. Keefe produced his first major success at the 1972 Olympics with double silver medalist McKee. He would branch out by 1976 to start Foxcatcher Swim Club, at the John DuPont estate pool that Suburban had access.
By 1978, though, Keefe was drawn back to his roots in Connecticut, becoming the Robert J.H. Kiputh Director of Swimming. (He had already mentored nine Olympians at that point.) He was on the staff of the U.S. Olympic swim team in 1984 (as assistant coach), 1988 (as head manager) and 2000. Keefe was the head coach for the U.S. teams at the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games and an assistant on the squad at the 1979 World Championships. At Yale, Keefe also founded Omni Swim Club in New Haven, which he directed for 20 years.
After his retirement from Yale in 2010, he remained very active around the pool. He returned to the Philadelphia area with his wife Kathleen, who died in 2014 after 54 years of marriage. He served as a volunteer assistant coach at Villanova, Swarthmore College, La Salle University and Shipley School and as an interim director of aquatics at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, in an echo of the work he did uniting coaches and programs in the Philadelphia area in the 1960s.
Keefe helped create USA Swimming in the late 1970s, separating it from the Amateur Athletic Union and gaining control of sanctioning swimming events in the United States. Keefe was the AAU’s National Time Standards Chairman from 1974-79. He was ASCA’s vice president from 1976-78 and its president from 1978-80. He served on the Olympic International Organizing Committee from 1973-88.
Keefe is a member of the Villanova Athletic Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Aquatics Hall of Fame and the American Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the latter enshrinement occurring as part of its fourth class in 2005.
Happy Birthday Brooke Bennett !
Brooke Bennett (USA)
Honor Swimmer (2010)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (800m freestyle); 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (400m, 800m freestyle); 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: bronze (800m freestyle); 1998 WORLD CHAMPI-ONSHIPS: gold (800m freestyle), silver (400m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay); 2000 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (25m): silver (800m freestyle); 1995 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (400m freestyle), silver (800m free-style); 1995 Pan PacificChampionships: gold (400m, 1500m freestyle); 1997 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (800m, 1500m freestyle), silver (400m freestyle); 1999 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (400m, 800m freestyle); 13 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2-400m freestyle, 2-500y freestyle, 3-800m freestyle, 2-1000y freestyle, 2-1500m freestyle, 2-1650y freestyle.
Growing up in Plant City, Florida on a farm surrounded by a menagerie of animals, Brooke loved the water and swam a length of the family pool at the age of two. By age six she was a local swim club champ.
Swimming for the Brandon Blue Wave, she took to the distance freestyle events and at age fourteen, she won the bronze medal in the 800 meter freestyle at the 1994 Rome World Championships. A bit cocky and eager to win, she used the 1995 PanAmerican Games gold-medal win in the 400m freestyle as a stepping stone to win the 1996 Olym-pic 800 meter freestyle gold medal which she repeated in 2000 win the 1996 Olym-pic 800 meter freestyle gold medal which she repeated in 2000 at the Sydney Games. Following in the footsteps of her rival but friend, Janet Evans, it was only the second back-to-back 800m freestyle win in Olympic history just as Janet had done in 1988 and 1992. With a time of 8:19.67, she broke Janet’s 12 year old Olympic record in the process.
Brooke Bennett had become one of the world’s greatest female distance swimmers. She also won the 400m freestyle gold medal in Sydney and the 800m freestyle gold at the 1998 World Championships. Three of her 13 U.S. National Championships were in the 800m freestyle. All totaled she had three Olympic gold medals from two Olympic Games; a gold, silver and bronze medals from two World Champion-ships; gold and silver medals from one Pan American Games and a silver medal from one World Championships short course.
She was the 1995 USOC Sports Woman of the Year for Swimming. Serious operations on both her shoulders in 2001 limited her participation in ensuing years.
Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, Summer McIntosh, Bobby Finke Lead Loaded Field for Atlanta Classic (Psych Sheet)
Caeleb Dressel — Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
by SWIMMING WORLD EDITORIAL STAFF
04 May 2023, 05:47pm
Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, Summer McIntosh, Bobby Finke Lead Loaded Field for Atlanta Classic (Psych Sheet)
This year’s edition of the Atlanta Classic will feature as strong a field as any non-championship meet on U.S. soil outside of TYR Pro Swim Series. For the first time in almost 11 months, Caeleb Dressel is scheduled to compete, and he will be joined by the entire squad of U.S. Olympians also training at the University of Florida, including Katie Ledecky, Bobby Finke, Kieran Smith, Emma Weyant, Natalie Hinds and Jake Mitchell.
Also in attendance will be Canadian stars Josh Liendo (also a Florida trainee) and Summer McIntosh. McIntosh will be racing for the first time since setting world records in the 400 freestyle and 400 IM last month.
Click here to view the full psych sheet.
Over the course of the three-day meet (running Friday through Sunday), Dressel is entered in the 200 free, 100 butterfly, 200 fly, 50 free, 200 IM and 100 free, although it’s unclear if he will end up racing all of those events. In the fly and sprint free events, Dressel will face off with fellow Gator Liendo, the World Championships bronze medalist in the 100 free and 100 fly plus the NCAA champion in the 100-yard free.
On the women’s side, Ledecky is set to swim the 200 free, 400 free and 800 free, while McIntosh is set for several off-events. Instead of mid-distance free, IM and 200 fly, McIntosh has the 100 and 200 breaststroke, 100 and 200 backstroke, 50 free and 100 fly. Her absence from the 400 IM denies a chance to race against Weyant, the Olympic silver medalist and Worlds bronze medalist in the race.
Finke is entered in the 200 free, 400 IM, 200 fly, 400 free, 800 free and 1500 free, and Smith has the 200 free, 400 IM, 100 back, 400 free, 200 IM and 100 free. Also listed on the psych sheet are college standouts from throughout the southeast, with the Georgia Bulldogs joining their Florida rivals.
While the Canadian standouts have already secured their qualification spots for this summer’s World Championships, the Americans are targeting U.S. Nationals in late June, a five-day event in Indianapolis.
Today we celebrate the birthdate of Kim Welshons, Synchronized Swimmer
Kim Welshons (USA)
Honor Synchronized / Artistic Swimmer (1988)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: PAN AMERICAN GAMES: 1963 gold (team); AAU SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 13 (solo, duet, team and figures); AAU JUNIOR NATIONALS: 3; INTERNATIONAL SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING TITLES: 14 (solo, duet, team, figures); All American Team Member 5 times.
At a time when synchronized swimming had not yet received Olympic and World Championship recognition, Kim Welshons was the most honored swimmer of the sport. The titles she received including a Pan American Games gold medal, fourteen international and thirteen national titles, are indeed indicative of world Championship status. Kim was instrumental in advancing international awareness and participation within the competitive arena of synchronized swimming.
In Brazil, as a member of the U.S. synchronized swimming team in 1963, at the age of 12, Kim became, and currently remains, the youngest person to ever receive a gold medal in the Pan American Games. Other competitive travels took her to a 1970 win in Copenhagen as well as to 40 states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, South America, Yugoslavia and Puerto Rico.
In 1966, at the request of President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, Kim delivered a command performance in Mexico City at a reception held in honor of the Mexican President and Mrs. Diaz Ordaz. Later that same year, Mrs. Johnson again requested Kim to display her talents for President Johnson, California governor and Mrs. Edmund G. Brown and a host of other celebrities at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. On New Year’s 1971, Kim was featured in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade as the World Synchronized Swimming Champion.
Although Kim retired in 1970, she has continued to contribute to synchronized swimming and to the scientific advancement and media recognition of all amateur sports She coached the Mexican National Team for two years, served as technical spokesperson and provided color commentary for the major television networks for eight years and has published numerous articles on the sport. Not only was Kim a multi-champion as a member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids, but she was an outstanding international representative for synchronized swimming and U.S. women in sports.
Throwback Thursday! ISHOF’s first Honoree Ceremonies ~ 1965 ~ How many Honorees can you name?
MISHOF Honoree Maurine Kornfeld Embraces Joy of Swimming at 101 – Still Setting Records
by DAN D’ADDONA — SWIMMING WORLD MANAGING EDITOR
01 May 2023,
Maurine Kornfeld got into swimming because she enjoyed the water.
She joined Masters Swimming in her 60s and is still going strong – four decades later.
Kornfeld, now 101, broke the Masters World Record in the 50 freestyle for the 100-104 age group during the weekend at the 2023 United States Masters Swimming (USMS) Spring Championships in Irvine, California.
Upon setting the record, she had this to say:
“I just love swimming. If it is not fun, why bother?” Kornfeld said.
That was the extent of talking about her own exploits. For years, Kornfeld has broken records, but quietly tried to deflect the attention she receives as she continues to swim well.
“It’s truly amazing,” Rose Bowl Aquatics coach Michael Tulin said. “Every time she gets in the water, she creates a buzz. When the announcers give her the credit she is due. Everyone pays attention and watches. It’s truly amazing. It is always remarkable. Every time she gets in the water, she creates a buzz. When the announcers give her the credit she is due. Everyone pays attention and watches. Having her on our team has been absolutely wonderful. She has done a lot for the spirit of the team.”
After retiring from her career as a social worker, Kornfeld started swimming with the Masters team at the Glendale, California YMCA, where she learned the ropes and some of the vocabulary. She not only took to Masters, but also took all the Red Cross courses for Water Safety Instructor, Advanced Lifesaving and Adapted Aquatics. She made her Masters debut in the 65 – 69 age group, and set her first Masters World Record at the age of 90. She now swims for Rose Bowl Aquatics.
At the 2017 FINA Masters World Championships in Budapest, Kornfeld was the oldest female swimmer at the meet and amazed the city when she set a new World Record in the 95-99 age group in the 800m freestyle.
Kornfeld, who grew up in Great Falls, Montana, was an International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Masters Honoree in 2018.
This week, Kornfeld broke the 100-104 record in the 50 free, getting to the wall in 1:27.45. Kornfeld also went a 3:30.70 in the 100 backstroke to win.
“Obviously we are all inspired. We all want to grow up and be like her,” teammate Cheryl Simmons said. “Everyone wanted a photo with her and I felt like her body guard. It is also a pleasure to spend time with her and see how positive she is. She always deflects the focus off of her. Everyone thinks they are her special friend. She knows everyone and everyone’s kids names and asks about them, makes them feel special. She makes everyone feel like this.”
That caring, soft-spoken kindness is part of her legacy.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/-NQTHVBBhR8
“Aside from the physicality of what she can do, mentally, she is so strong and so powerful. She has a great memory and is a joy to be around,” Tulin said. “It is hard to articulate. She is just soft spoken and so gracious about everything she does. She is always fun to be around.”
But don’t be fooled. She is competitive.
“She tries to make it sound like she is there just for fun. She is not just doing it. She is competitive and trying to get better,” Simmons said. “She has that competitive drive. Even at 101 she has questions and looking to get better and stronger. She always wants to improve – like all of us.”
Should Russian Athletes Be Allowed at the Paris Olympics?
Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov won two individual medals at the Tokyo Olympics — Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
by DAVID RIEDER – SENIOR WRITER, SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE
01 May 2023
Should Russian Athletes Be Allowed at the Paris Olympics?
The Russia question is looming. Over the next 14 months, swimming will be at the center of a global dilemma, the issue of whether Russian and Belarussian athletes will be cleared to return to international competition in time for the 2024 Olympics. Most sports have instituted blanket bans over Russian athletes and teams since their country’s invasion of Ukraine early last year, but the continuing countdown to the Paris Games is bringing the issue front and center.
In swimming, the Russian men were a major force at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago. Competing under the banner of “Russian Olympic Committee” with the country’s flag banned (thank to a previous systematic doping scandal), Evgeny Rylov swept the backstroke events, and Kliment Kolesnikov got on the podium in both of his individual races, completing a 1-2 finish in the 100 back. The Russian team took silver in the 800 freestyle relay.
Russian teenager Evgeniia Chikunova is the new world-record holder in the women’s 200 breaststroke — Photo Courtesy: Photo Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
If they returned to international racing in time for the Olympics, Rylov and Kolesnikov would certainly become medal contenders, and the same is true for Evgeniia Chikunova. Fourth in the 200 breaststroke in Tokyo by just four hundredths, the 18-year-old Chikunova smashed the world record in the event last week with a time of 2:17.55, more than two seconds faster than Tatjana Schoenmaker’s previous mark.
Will they be in Paris? The International Olympic Committee and World Aquatics have already initiated the process of bringing Russian athletes back into fold. In line with IOC guidelines, swimming’s governing body approved a task force last month to explore potential pathways, although the current timeline is unclear. IOC President Thomas Bach has referenced his organization’s “unifying mission,” which would mandate Russian participation.
Those policies have come under fire from Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and countries such as the United States and even host nation France have expressed opposition to Russian inclusion. Ukrainian distance swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk would surely be upset at the notion of competing against Russians after his father has previously fought on the front-lines defending his country from the invasion.
The debate is playing out already: the Ukrainian judo federation has announced plans to boycott next week’s World Championships since Russian and Belarussian athletes are entered to compete as neutral athletes. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian national canoe and kayak competition held last week in Uman was marred by a Russian rocket attack on the city. At least 10 people were killed, and Lyudmila Luzan, a two-time Olympic medalist at the Tokyo Games, was so shaken that she withdrew from the final day of competition.
Still, the situation is tricky to reconcile since the majority of Russian swimmers have no involvement with their nation’s war. Why should they be punished for their government’s actions? Members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team could surely sympathize, having been excluded from the Moscow Games because of boycott. That boycott accomplished little politically and hurt only athletes representing America and western allies, none of whom had any involvement in or connection to the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Then again, Russia is the aggressor in this war, violating international peace and a country’s sovereignty without being first attacked or otherwise provoked. When that happens, a country loses international privileges, and rightfully so.
Evgeny Rylov — Photo Courtesy: Photo Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
However, there is no gray area regarding Rylov’s status. IOC recommendations released in late March stated: “Athletes who actively support the war cannot compete.” In March 2022, Rylov appeared at a pro-war rally alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, the instigator of the entire conflict. The 26-year-old embraced and promoted an unjustified war. Simply, he has no place in international competition or the Olympics. End of story.
The IOC also recommended that “teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport cannot be considered.” That would seem to disqualify Russian swimmers from racing relay events in international swimming competition. Again, rightfully so. Relays are the ultimate national-pride-focused events, and an aggressor country in a wrongful war does not deserve that opportunity.
It’s individual swimmers that have not directly supported the war, most notably Kolesnikov and Chikunova, for whom the right answer is ambiguous. They didn’t have anything to do with the war, but then again, neither did South African athletes banned from international competition for three decades because of the country’s policy of apartheid. Jonty Skinner broke the world record in the 100 freestyle in 1976, but he never had the chance to represent his country at the Olympics.
In Russia and many other countries, national sport federations receive significant government funding and are practically extensions of the government (while the U.S. government, by contrast, is much less connected to representative sports organizations). That structure makes it harder to defend Russian inclusion.
Moreover, the context of the war matters. Russian troops first entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022 — four days after the Winter Olympics concluded. The timing was no accident. Putin knew that his country’s act of war would be met with immediate international condemnation and that Russian athletes would no longer be welcome in international competition.
Nothing has changed since. The war is just as despicable as it was 14 months ago, so why should the world’s sporting leaders be striving to accommodate athletes who very much represent the Russian government?
Imagine a scenario just like the upcoming judo championships, where Ukraine decides to boycott the Olympics attended by Russian and Belarussian competitors with the full support of the IOC. That would be simply embarrassing.
And finally, consider the situation that Ukrainian athletes find themselves in. Romanchuk, the country’s only Olympic swimming medalist since 2004, has spent time training in Germany, but his compatriots have not been so lucky. The war has completely changed the realities of their lives. The threat of violence is real and constant, and even electricity use is limited throughout the country. Daily life is on edge, and sometimes, like at the recent canoe/kayak competition, athletics take a back seat to real tragedy.
If a Ukrainian swimmer worked for years to overcome the horrors of the ongoing conflict and reach the Olympic level, only to find competition included someone from the country threatening their homes and lives, that would be devastating. That alone should be enough to validate keeping Russian representatives out of Paris.
The opinion of the article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of ISHOF.
USMS Spring Championships: Jenny Thompson, Laura Val, Maurine Kornfeld Claim Double Wins on Final Day
Jenny Thompson. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
by DAN D’ADDONA — SWIMMING WORLD MANAGING EDITOR
30 April 2023, 05:03pm
The United States Masters Swimming (USMS) Spring Championships concluded on Sunday from Irvine, California.
It was a meet full of victories, records, and most importantly, a record-setting list of competitors – more than 2,500.
The final session included the 400 IM, 50 free, 200 butterfly, mixed 200 medley relay, 100 backstroke, 200 free and 50 breast – all in short-course yards.
Maurine Kornfeld broke the 100-104 record in the 50 free, getting to the wall in 1:27.45. Kornfeld also went a 3:30.70 in the 100 backstroke to win.
Twelve-time Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson won the 50-54 age group in the 50 free, going a 23.75 to break the age group record. Thompson also won the 100 backstroke in her age group at 58.87 in another record.
Meanwhile, former NCAA record holder Ally Howe won the 25-29 age group in the 100 backstroke in a 52.69 – the same event she set the NCAA record in at Stanford. It was an age group record and her 25.25 split in the backstroke broke the 50 backstroke record.
Laura Val, who has claimed more than 100 masters world records, won the 70-74 age group in the 100 backstroke (1:08.05). She also won the 200 free (2:12.26) in an age group record.
Some familiar faces earned wins, starting with the first event of the day. Former U.S. national teamer Becca Mann claimed victory in the 25-29 400 IM (4:30.19). She then turned in a second-place finish in the 200 fly.
Former Cal star Felicia Lee won the 30-34 age group in the 100 backstroke (55.59).
Gabrielle Rose own the 45-49 age group in the 50 breaststroke (28.54), continuing her strong performance this week.
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In the men’s meet, Vladimir Morozov won the 30-34 age group in the 50 freestyle (19.53).
In the 40-44 age group Mario Marshall (21.18) edged teammate Anthony Ervin (21.40) in the 50 free.
Rick Colella added another USMS win and record to his collection to close his stellar meet. He was first to the wall in the 200 butterfly for the 70-74 age group (2:17.30).
Former Stanford star Grant Shoults won the 25-29 age group in the 200 free (1:36.96).
John Stafford, father of NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford, won his second event of the meet with a 2:16.03 swim in the 200 free in the 75-79 age group.
Former Swimming World staffer Jeff Commings won the 45-49 age group in the 100 backstroke (54.00).
USMS Records Set on Sunday, April 30
Maurine Kornfeld, Rose Bowl Masters: Women’s 100-104 50 freestyle (1:27.45)
Jenny Thompson, Palmetto Masters: Women’s 50-54 50 freestyle (23.75)
Zachary Fong, New York Athletic Club: Men’s 25-29 200 butterfly (1:44.67)
Rick Colella, Puget Sound Masters: Men’s 70-74 200 butterfly (2:17.30)
Arizona Masters Swim Club: Mixed 75+ 200 medley relay (2:43.23)
Ally Howe, New York Athletic Club: Women’s 25-29 50 backstroke (25.25)
Peter Moore, Novaquatics Masters: Men’s 50-54 50 backstroke (24.43)
Ally Howe, New York Athletic Club: Women’s 25-29 100 backstroke (52.69)
Jenny Thompson, Palmetto Masters: Women’s 50-54 100 backstroke (58.87)
Jenna Campbell, Colorado Masters Swimming: Women’s 25-29 200 freestyle (1:47.88)
Laura Val, Tamalpais Aquatic Masters: Women’s 70-74 200 freestyle (2:12.26)
Gabrielle Rose, Santa Barbara Masters: Women’s 45-49 50 breaststroke (28.54)
Note: All records are subject to change pending verification.
Caeleb Dressel Set for Return to Competition at Next Week’s Atlanta Classic; First Meet in 11 Months
Caeleb Dressel — Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
by DAVID RIEDER – SENIOR WRITER
01 May 2023, 04:28pm
Caeleb Dressel Set for Return to Competition at Next Week’s Atlanta Classic; First Meet in 11 Months
For the first time since his withdrawal midway through last year’s World Championships, Caeleb Dressel is entered in a swim meet. Dressel is scheduled to race at the Atlanta Classic, which will take place May 12-14 at the McAuley Aquatic Pavilion in Atlanta. Swim Atlanta head coach Chris Davis confirmed to Swimming World that Dressel is entered, and with meet entries due Monday at 11:59 p.m., a psych sheet is likely forthcoming.
Dressel pulled out of Worlds after the 100 freestyle prelims with undisclosed health concerns, and 24 hours later, USA Swimming announced he was out for the meet. In a statement, USA Swimming said, “After conferring with Caeleb, his coaches and the medical staff, a decision has been made to withdraw him from the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Our priority is and will always be the health of our athletes and we will continue give Caeleb the assistance he needs to recover quickly.”
The 26-year-old, who swam for the University of Florida from 2014 through 2018 and still lives and trains in Gainesville, has been mostly quiet in the months since, but he posted about his status in early September on Instagram. In that post, he revealed that he had not competed since World Championships, and he hinted that the reasons for his hiatus were related to mental health. He said, “I know I can have swimming and happiness. I had them both at one point in my life and I’m working on it. If you need a break, take one.”
Prior to departing Budapest, Dressel won gold medals in the 400 free relay and 50 butterfly. At last year’s Olympics, he captured five gold medals, with individual wins in the 100 free, 100 fly and 50 free accompanying two relay victories. It’s unclear if he will attempt to qualify for his fourth consecutive World Championships this year, with the U.S. selection meet set for late June in Indianapolis.