On this day in in 1905, one of the most famous women of her time, Gertrude Ederle was born
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1924 gold (4x100m freestyle relay), bronze (100m, 400m freestyle); WORLD and NATIONAL RECORDS: 29 (from 1921 to 1925 – in 1922 she set 7 world records in the course of one 500m swim); First woman to swim the English Channel, 1926 (beating all previous times by men); New Disney Film, “Young Women and the Sea” made about her life.
Gertrude Ederle was in the very first Class of Honorees inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, honored on that special day in late December, 1965. She was one of only three female swimmers selected in a class of 21 Honorees. The greatest of the greatest, the first 21 inducted into ISHOF. (The other two were Dawn Fraser (AUS) and Katherine Rawls (USA).
Gertrude Ederle’s two greatest days in swimming were at Brighton Beach in 1922 and in the English Channel in 1926, the first as an amateur, the second as a professional.
At Brighton Beach, Miss Ederle broke seven world records at various distances in the course of a single 500 meter swim. In England, she became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
Trudy’s great Channel swim was 51 years after Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the Channel, had achieved the impossible, and it completely captured the public imagination because such swimming immortals as Annette Kellerman had tried and failed, claiming the feat completely beyond the limits of a woman’s strength and endurance. Gertrude Ederle not only swam the Channel but swam it faster than any man before her.
She held 29 U.S. national and world records from 1921 until she turned professional after the 1925 season. Her amateur national championships were won at distances from 50 yards to the half mile and her great professional Channel effort was 20 miles. Olympian Ederle was tough at any distance at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Gertrude Ederle was the female counterpart of Johnny Weissmuller in that they were discussed in every household as the two greatest swimming figures of the 1920s, idols of the “Golden Age of Sport”.
Happy Birthday Trudy! We are still celebrating your fabulous life more than 125 later!
World Aquatics competition schedule for the World Aquatics Championships & Masters Championships – Singapore 2025
Written by: Torin Koos, World Aquatics Communications Manager
World Aquatics and the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee have officially unveiled the competition schedule for the World Aquatics Championships. From 11 July to 3 August 2025, Singapore will host 75 medal events, displaying the talents of athletes across six aquatic sports: swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving.
Singapore will once again shine on the global stage as it welcomes elite aquatic athletes for the World Aquatics Championships in 2025. This prestigious event will see the island nation and dynamic city-state in Southeast Asia become a hub of aquatic sports excellence.
After extensive consultation with athletes, teams, broadcasters, and key stakeholders, World Aquatics and the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee have finalised the competition dates for each sport:
Water Polo: 11-24 July 2025
Open Water Swimming: 15-20 July 2025
Artistic Swimming: 18-25 July 2025
High Diving: 25-27 July 2025
Diving: 26 July – 3 August 2025
Swimming: 27 July – 3 August 2025
Masters: 26 July – 22 August 2025
The 22nd edition of the World Aquatics Championships is set to welcome over 2,500 athletes from 210 national member federations. Exhilarating event action will primarily take place at the iconic Singapore Sports Hub. Detailed venue information will be disclosed at the “One Year to Go” media event on 12 July 2024, marking the start of the official countdown to this world-class event.
Image Source: Aerial view of the Singapore Sports Hub (Singapore Tourism Board)
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam underscored the significance of unveiling the competition schedule, emphasising how it provides clarity for athletes and nations as they prepare for the championships.
“We are thrilled to announce the competition schedule for the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025,” President Al-Musallam stated. “This announcement marks a crucial milestone in our journey to deliver a premier event that enables our athletes to compete at their highest level and ignites inspiration among the future stars of aquatic sports. With our dedicated local organisers in Singapore, we are meticulously preparing to create an exceptional environment where athletic excellence can flourish.”
Mark Chay, President of Singapore Aquatics and co-chair of the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee, noted the excitement surrounding the revealing of the competition schedule for the highly anticipated World Aquatics Championships.
“The Singapore 2025 Organising Committee has been working tirelessly to plan an extraordinary experience that captures the dynamism and vibrancy of Singapore. With the unveiling of the competition schedule, we invite fans from the global aquatics community to book their calendars and get ready to witness the very best athletes perform here. Immerse in the pulsating energy of the Championships, and get ready to make a splash with us in Singapore. We cannot wait to welcome everyone to the Lion City.”
How an American Swimmer Melted the Ice of the Cold War – ISHOF Honoree Lynne Cox
In 1987, Lynne Cox convinced Mikhail Gorbachev to let her swim across the Bering Strait between the U.S.A. and the USSR. In doing so, she demonstrated to both superpowers how close their people really were, and helped to thaw Cold War relations.
The U.S. – Soviet Border
In the middle of the Bering Strait, the border between the Diomede Islands – Soviet Big Diomede and U.S. Little Diomede – was known as the “ice curtain”. This is the only border the U.S. shares with Russia. This border is also the International Date Line so Lynne’s swim was truly a journey in to the future.
Before a shift in Soviet and U.S. policy in 1948, indigenous Inupiat tribes had been hunting, fishing, and moving between these islands for thousands of years. But as Cold War tensions rose, native people were stripped of their lands, traditions, and the friendships they had made across the border, as Big Diomede was turned into a Soviet military reservation.
About Lynne Cox
In 1971, at the age of 14, Lynne Cox swam across the Catalina Channel, and at 15 and 16, she made record-breaking swims across the English Channel, each time breaking both men’s and women’s records for swimming from England to France. In 1975, Lynne became the first woman to cross the Cook Strait, between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The next year she became the first person to swim the Strait of Magellan, and the first to swim around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. It was after these swims that she envisioned swimming across the Bering Strait, from Little Diomede, Alaska, U.S.A. to Big Diomede, Siberia, USSR. But first, Lynne had to secure special permission from the Soviet government. Over the course of 11 years, she wrote to four different Soviet leaders: Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Konstantin Chernenko, and Mikhail Gorbachev. Her only response came from the latter. Approval from President Gorbachev was received only one day before Lynne was planning to swim.
The Swim
On August 7, 1987, thirty-year-old Lynne jumped into the icy water off Alaska’s Little Diomede wearing swimsuit, cap, and goggles, and swam toward the Soviet border. In addition to making athletic history, her swim was dedicated to scientific purposes – so that a research team could examine her body’s reaction to cold water.
At the midway point, a 20-foot Soviet vessel joined her escort boats. Although the distance was only 2.7 miles, due to the strong current Lynne had to swim over five miles for two hours and six minutes to reach the Soviet Union. Her hands turned grey and her limbs stiffened in the 38-degree water. Not only was she the first person to accomplish this daring feat, she also succeeded in bringing the Soviets and Americans closer together.
The Reception
When she reached shore, Lynne was warmly greeted by about 30 Russians including regional government officials, members of the KGB, and Soviet Olympic athletes. They escorted her to a platform where a picnic had been prepared, with samovars of tea and biscuits, and presented her with flowers and a pair of handmade slippers. As Lynne answered journalists’ questions she started cooling down and was about to go into hypothermia when a Soviet doctor, Rita Zakharova, led her into a charcoal-heated tent and covered her with hot water bottles and a sleeping bag. Then, remarkably, the doctor embraced Lynne to warm her. “To have this human contact,” said Lynne in an interview with the BBC, “after so many years growing up afraid of the Soviets – and here was this person basically warming me up to get me back to life again.” As a special surprise, the Soviets invited Inupiat natives to the gathering where they sang folk songs as Lynne recovered.
The Seal Skin Slippers
When Lynne was presented with the slippers, an interpreter explained that they were made from seal skins and had been hand sewn for her by an Inupiat woman whose family had lived on Big Diomede Island, USSR, until they were removed by the Soviets and relocated to the Siberian mainland. She had gone to the trouble to learn Lynne’s shoe size and they fit perfectly. “While the slippers were warm,” Lynne says, “they were extremely slippery, making it difficult to walk on the icy rocks and snow to the warming tent.”
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Four months after her historic feat, the U.S. and the USSR reached an agreement to eliminate their short and intermediate-range missiles. During the ceremony at the White House in Washington, Gorbachev led everybody in lifting their glasses for a toast:
“Last summer it took one brave American by the name of Lynne Cox just two hours to swim from one of our countries to the other. We saw on television how sincere and friendly the meeting was between our people and the Americans when she stepped onto Soviet shore. She proved by her courage how close to each other our peoples live.
World-renowned Swimmer Lynne Cox arrives at the 2003 Glamour “Women of the Year” Awards at the American Museum of Natural History, Nov. 10, 2003 in New York City. AFP
Not only is Lynne an accomplished open water swimmer, she is a New York Times bestselling author and highly-regarded motivational speaker. She has called her Bering Strait swim- “the most significant experience of her life.”
www.lynnecox.com
ISHOF Groundbreaking – Phase One has begun!
Big things are happening at the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Fort Lauderdale!
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) broke ground on Phase One of its $218 million renovation of the ISHOF complex on the Hall of Fame peninsula that has been home to the Hall of Fame Pool/Aquatic Center and the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum, since the mid 1960’s.
The Swimming Hall of Fame was established in 1964, after the AAU awarded the City of Fort Lauderdale as its home. In 1967, the Museum first opened and in 1968, it was officially recognized by FINA as the “International” Swimming Hall of Fame, taking it global. In 1991, ISHOF expanded, featuring a uniquely wave-shaped building designed by the internationally renowned firm Arquitectonica. Through the years, age took its toll and technology advanced to the point where changes needed to be made.
The new $218 million ISHOF project will be an architecturally unique facility that will house a new Hall of Fame Museum, with fully updated modern displays and digital access to aquatics sports history, an amazing aquarium, event space, restaurants, teaching pool, theater, meeting rooms, office space, and on-site parking. It will be like no other attraction on the beach. Paired with one of the top aquatic facilities in the world, this destination will be like no other, anywhere on the planet!
The groundbreaking was attended by local and City officials, including Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Commissioner Steve Glassman, Commissioner John Herbst, and Aquatic Center Manager Laura Voet; ISHOF Board Members, Chairman Bill Kent, Mike Dooley, Mario Caprini, Steve Hasty, Matt McKean, Fundraising Chairwoman, Christine Tripp Yates; Construction Management Team, including Corey Olsen of Hensel Phelps, and many other invited guests, including John Whitehouse of Deep Blue Attractions and Rich Waltzer.
Wednesday’s ground breaking was only beginning, it marks Phase one of the ISHOF project, which will focus on infrastructure improvements, including the seawall around the peninsula and the Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue Headquarters. The Improvements for the seawall will consist of driving new sheet pile along the length of the existing seawall and a new seawall cap that will be approximately two feet higher than the existing seawall cap. The Ocean Rescue will be getting a new two-story concrete structure approximately 10,000 SF with an elevator, to be located south of the Dive Tower and west of the new south locker room building. The first floor will serve as storage for Ocean Rescue equipment (Paddleboards, Jet Skis, etc.). The second floor will include offices for the Chief & Lieutenants, a Conference Room, Showers & Locker Rooms.
After the Ground Breaking Ceremony, guests were welcomed on to the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, where they enjoyed at ride along the beautiful Intracoastal waterway, had hors d’oeuvres, as well as drinks, including a full bar, champagne or choice of beverage.
“Thanks to the inspirational leadership of the City of Fort Lauderdale, our on- of-a-kind International Swimming Hall of Fame is being reborn. The new facilities, including the aquarium, will be a new jewel in the crown of tourist destinations for all of Broward County.” Dr. Bill Kent, Chair of the Board.
Stay with us at www.ishof.org for more information on the redo and Phases 2, 3 and 4!!!! If you would like to donate to the project, click here: https://internationalswimminghalloffame-bloom.kindful.com/
#ISHOF #CityofFortLauderdale #HenselPhelps #CapitalGroup #Groundbreaking #WorldAquatics #Swimming #EveryChildASwimmer #Aquariums #AquaCal #SwimmingWorld
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Every Child A Swimmer Update ~ October 2024
Transforming Communities, Shaping a Generation of Swimmers
At the heart of the Every Child a Swimmer program is a singular, powerful mission: to equip every child with the life-saving skill of swimming and prevent childhood drowning. Our work is driven by passion, and the impact is undeniable. Over the past year, we have partnered with 282 swim schools across the country, providing over 1,800 children with access to swim lessons that they might not have otherwise had. Each of these partnerships represents more than just a number; it is a step toward creating a safer future for our children, where swimming is not just a skill but a life-saving necessity.
Our commitment to change extends beyond the pool. We’ve successfully implemented Every Child a Swimmer legislation in Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas, impacting thousands of students by integrating water safety education into schools. These legislative victories are monumental—they aren’t just policy changes, but powerful pathways to prevent future tragedies. Every child that learns to swim represents one less life at risk, and with each new law, we move closer to a world where all children are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in the water.
Nationally, our team has been active in spreading this message through our participation in key industry events like the Pool Nation Women’s Summit, the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Conference, and the United States Swim School Association. By engaging with leaders and advocates at both the state and national levels, we are working to create a ripple effect that ensures water safety education reaches every community, every family, and every child.
The impact of these initiatives is clear: we are building a future where swim skills are a standard, not a privilege. We remain hopeful that with our continued efforts, the number of drowning incidents will decline as we cultivate a generation of confident and capable swimmers. Behind every swim lesson, every legislative success, and every event is a child whose life has been impacted—each one a reminder of the life-saving power of our work.
Join Us in Building a Safer Future We invite you to be a part of this important mission. Stay connected with us on social media to follow our progress, learn more about success stories, and discover ways to get involved. Whether it’s raising awareness, participating in community events, or donating to provide a child with a learn-to-swim scholarship, your support makes a direct impact. Together, we can create a generation of swimmers, prevent future tragedies, and build safer communities.
Visit www.everychildaswimmer.org to learn more about how you can contribute, volunteer, or make a donation today.
If you missed the 2024 ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremony, never fear! You can watch the entire show on ESPN+ or HULU, the link included below!
For the second year in a row, the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Honoree Induction Ceremony has been produced by Peter Lasser, and aired LIVE on ESPN+ After the live performance, the show is available for 30 days ON DEMAND, on both, ESPN+ AND HULU.
So, if you were not able to be in Fort Lauderdale this past weekend for this fabulous ISHOF event, now, you can see what you missed! Just log into your HULU or ESPN+ account and type in INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME HONOREE CEREMONY and this is the logo that you should look for:
Once you see it, Click on it, sit back and watch two hours of the best aquatic Honorees, including Honor Swimmers: Dana Vollmer (USA), Lars Frölander (SWE), Daniel Gyurta (HUN), and for the very first time ever, ISHOF inducted a Relay Team: The Women’s 1976 USA Gold Medal 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay, made up of Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Jill Sterkel and Kim Peyton*; Honor Divers: Alexandre Despatie (CAN), Wu Minxia (CHN), and Yulia Pakhalina (RUS); Synchronized/Artistic Swimmer, Virginie Dedieu (FRA), Water Polo Players, Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA), and Vladimir Akimov* (URS); Honor Coach, Dennis Pursley (USA) and Honor Contributor, Dale Neuburger (USA). The 2024 Gold Medallion Award, ISHOF’s Highest Honor was present to Mr. Alex Blavatnik (URS/USA).
Saturday evening’s crowd was just over 300 people, from approximately 25 different countries, including dignitaries from World Aquatics, including CEO, Mr. Brent Nowicki, and Mr. Mike Unger, Senior Advisior. USA Swimming Acting CEO, Ms. Shana Ferguson was in attendance, accompanied by USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director, Ms. Elaine Calip.
ISHOF had so many returning Honorees from years past, it was absolutely heartwarming! Donna deVarona and John Naber came to Fort Lauderdale to relive their personal experiences for us from 1976 at the Montreal Olympics, where John had just won four gold medals and Donna was covering the Games for ABC to show their support for the Women’s 1976 Relay Team of Wendy Boglioli, Shirley Babahoff, Jill Sterkel and Kim Peyton, who was represented by her 92 year old Mother, Barb Peyton, and teammate, Maryanne Graham Keever. Honoree and 1976 Olympian Jim Montgomery also came to show his support for his teammates! Honor Coach Jozsef Nagy, who coached 2024 Honor Swimmer, Daniel Gyurta, flew in from Budapest, Boxi Liang, another Honor Coach, this time from the sport of Diving, came to ISHOF from Vancouver, BC to see fellow countryman, Wu Minxia, inducted, as she is considered to be the greatest diver to come out of China. The list of ISHOF Honorees continues with greats like Lenny Krayzelburg, Mary T. Meagher, Cynthia Potter, Tom Gompf, Carol Zaleski, Becky Dyroen-Lancer, Jesse Vassallo, Mark Schubert, Eddie Reese, and Tiffany Cohen.
We had several of the World Aquatics individuals that chair the different technical committees. From the Technical Swimming Committee, Craig Hunter, from Great Britain, and longtime friend and supporter of ISHOF, Chairman of the Technical Open Water Swimming Committee, Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy. Also from World Aquatics Committees, we were happy to welcome Melanie Beck (GBR), Bureau Member, Maureen Croes, Jay Thomas and of course Dale Neuburger, who was being inducted as the Honor Contributor for 2024. We cannot name them all but we thank all that attended from around the globe!
Please be sure to watch the show and let us know your thoughts! You’ll recognize a lot of other famous faces in aquatics, mostly Olympians, but more importantly, you’ll enjoy yourself! We promise!
The show is available on ESPN+ and also on Hulu ~ Click the link below!
https://www.hulu.com/watch/71121175-804f-47e9-823e-93e7f9d5c953
Join Us for the Groundbreaking of the $218 Million International Swimming Hall of Fame Revitalization Project
MEDIA ALERT: Join Us for the Groundbreaking of the $218 Million International Swimming Hall of Fame Revitalization Project
Get ready for a transformational moment in Fort Lauderdale’s aquatic legacy! The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is breaking ground on its monumental $218 million construction project, and you’re invited to witness history in the making.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Details:
– Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
– Time: 11:00 AM (Reception immediately following)
– Location: ISHOF, 1 Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (West end of the peninsula)
This isn’t just another groundbreaking—it’s the dawn of a world-class facility that will redefine aquatic sports and tourism globally. With a state-of-the-art Hall of Fame Museum, a stunning aquarium, event space, and more, this $218 million project is poised to be one of the most significant attractions in South Florida.
“Thanks to the inspirational leadership of the City of Fort Lauderdale, our one-of-a-kind International Swimming Hall of Fame is being reborn. The new facilities, including the aquarium, will be a new jewel in the crown of tourist destinations for all of Broward County,” said Dr. Bill Kent, Chair of the Board.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis added, “The reconstruction of the International Swimming Hall of Fame reaffirms Fort Lauderdale’s position as a global leader in aquatic sports and tourism. We are excited to see the transformation of this iconic location and what it will offer residents and visitors for generations to come.”
“This groundbreaking marks the beginning of something truly extraordinary for our community and visitors worldwide. We’re creating a space that honors the past while providing a cutting-edge experience that will engage people of all ages,” said Vice Mayor Steven Glassman.
Once completed, this architectural marvel will feature a cutting-edge Hall of Fame Museum with interactive exhibits, a stunning aquarium showcasing marine life, and versatile event space, restaurants, and a theater designed to entertain and engage visitors. Additionally, the facility will include on-site parking and modern amenities to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all guests.
“We’ve put the best creative minds together to interpret what the International Swimming Hall of Fame has been and what it should be in the future, at the world’s most iconic aquatic complex, the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center. We are excited to be partners with the City of Fort Lauderdale and look forward to making this dream a reality.” Mr. Mario Caprini, CEO, Capital Group.
With its unique design and unmatched offerings, ISHOF will stand out not only in Fort Lauderdale but globally positioning the city as a top destination for aquatic sports and tourism.
This is an event that will make waves!
For more information, contact:
Meg Keller-Marvin/meg@ishof.org/570.594.4367
Australian Olympian and ISHOF Honoree, Michelle Ford releases new Book: “Turning The Tide”
Australian Honor Swimmer, Michelle Ford-Eriksson MBE, who was inducted into ISHOF in 1994, has recently written a new book, Turning the Tide, with foreword by IOC President Thomas Bach. The book was written by an Olympic gold medalist whose achievement was even more remarkable in an era rife with doping and politics, and who later successfully fought for gender equality, and the athletes voice in the Olympic Movement; at the heart of the story is the ultimate achievement of winning an Olympicmedal.
Set against the politics of the Cold War, the Olympic boycotts of Moscow in 1980 and Los Angeles in 1984 and the emergence of systematic, state-sponsored doping, this was a time of great upheaval within the Olympic Movement.
Turning the Tide is a first-hand account of Michelle Ford-Eriksson’s life in the Olympic realm during one of the most turbulent times in sporting history. One of Australia’s greatest swimmers, Michelle’s story reads more like a spy novel than an athlete’s road to an Olympic gold medal. As a young athlete from the beaches of Sydney, Australia, Michelle had a dream, but to reach that dream, she had to compete against misogyny, boycotts, doping and even death threats.
The Olympic boycotts stripped thousands of young athletes of their Olympic dream. The scars are still raw for those who participated, as well as those who didn’t. The boycott reinforced that the athletes played no part in the administration of sport.
“We were voiceless,” Michelle explains in the book, looking back at her extraordinary career. “We felt we were treated as insignificant pawns by the political machinery. We wanted a seat at the table, the right to self-determination, the right to inclusion and equality. We wanted our voice, the athletes’ voice, to be heard.”
Turning the Tide is the first book written about this era from an athlete’s perspective, covering the narrative of a young teenager’s journey and the thematic discussions about East German doping and the destructive influence of sporting bureaucracy. It lays bare the struggles and battles that still haunt many young athletes.
Today, the international Olympic Committee loudly pronounces that “athletes are the centre of the Olympic Games,” but many still feel the anguish of past events, seeing history repeating itself.
With Paris 2024 upon us, and Los Angeles, and Brisbane around the corner, much has changed, but much has also stayed the same, just going by another name. Michelle’s hope is that the lessons of the past may open a discussion of this period, to allow a healing for those who lived it, and that Turning the Tide can be manifesto for change.
You can read Ford’s book, by purchasing it on AMAZON.COM
REVIEWS:
“A significant contribution to Olympic history. A must read.” Anita de Frantz, IOC Member, ex-Senior Vice President of the IOC and Chair of the Women and Sport Commission
“An important read for all athletes!” Claudia Bokel, ex-Chair, IOC Athletes’ Commission and Member IOC Executive Board
“Michelle Ford’s book, Turning the Tide, is a valuable and insightful recollection of her years as an upcoming and elite athlete. What she had to endure, and what she overcame, is definitely inspiring. Her stories are crisp, clear and accurate, and should provide food for thought or anyone interested in the value and future of sport.” John Naber, Olympic Champion, Broadcaster and Author
“Reading Turning the Tide brought back many memories of the 1980 Olympics and the boycott, and rekindled my admiration for Michelle and her colleagues who travelled to compete in Moscow. It is a great reminder to anyone that the path to success is often laden with obstacles, and I am thrilled that Michelle has pledged to use her voice to advocate for swimmers who were denied opportunities due to doping and boycotts. Let this story be a lesson that politics and drugs have no place in sport. Congratulations Michelle on another wonderful achievement! Tracy Stockwell OAM (née Caulkins), Olympic and World Champion swimmer
Even though we were involved in a different sport, Michelle Ford was a role model and inspiration tome for her achievements, dedication and resilience. They are all important traits in the Olympic journeyand this book tells a wonderful tale that I hope all young aspiring athletes and swimmers will read.Cathy Freeman OAM, Olympic and World Champion 400m athlete
About Michelle Ford-Eriksson MBEMichelle Ford-Eriksson MBE is one of Australia’s greatest swimmers, winner of the gold andbronze medals at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, dual world record holder and multipleCommonwealth Games medalist. She is a University of Southern California ‘USC’ graduatewith a Masters in Sports Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in business communication. Shehas held directorships at the Australian Sports Commission, Australian Sports Foundation, andSwimming Australia. She was a member of the first IOC Athletes Commission, Australia’s firstmember of the Commission, alongside the current IOC President, Thomas Bach, and SebastianCoe, President World Athletics.
Title: Turning the TideAuthor: Michelle Ford MBE with Craig LordISBN: 978-1-925914-92-4Subject: Memoir, Sport, Olympics, Swimming, Olympian, Gold MedalistAvailable in paperback and as an e-book from www.fairplaypublishing.com.au, Amazon, and more.
Newly Inducted 2024 ISHOF Honor Swimmer Dániel Gyurta appointed President of Hungarian Olympic Academy
Article Shared from “Inside the Games“
Friday, 4 October 2024
The 35-year-old former Olympic champion will be responsible for guiding Hungary’s new sporting talents. He will share his knowledge and experience to help develop the country’s sports. His appointment was announced by the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB).
Dániel Gyurta was a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission and studied economics alongside a long swimming career. Known as a consummate breaststroke swimmer, his greatest achievement was winning the gold medal in the 200m breaststroke at the London 2012 Olympic Games, setting a new world record in the event. He had already come close to glory at the 2008 Beijing Games, winning the silver medal.
At the 2009 World Swimming Championships, Gyurta won gold in the 200m breaststroke, beating Eric Shanteau in the final metres. He was named Hungarian Sportsman of the Year. In 2011, he successfully defended his title by winning gold again at the 2011 World Swimming Championships, becoming only the second man to defend the world title in the 200m breaststroke.
Daniel Gyurta
Gyurta is also remembered for his gestures of sportsmanship. For example, he dedicated his London 2012 Olympic gold medal to fellow swimmer Alexander Dale Oen, who had tragically died of a heart attack just months before the Games. In recognition of this tribute, Gyurta was awarded the UNESCO International Fair Play Award.
All these achievements were taken into account by the members of the Hungarian Olympic Committee when they selected him for the role.
The appointments were made following the inaugural meeting of the board on 7 September, at which other measures were taken, as reported by Hungary Today. Szabolcs Bényi was elected as the President of the Budapest Olympic Committee, András Bodnár as the President of the Ferenc Mező Sports Committee, Dr András Tállay as the head of the Medical Committee and Csaba Sós as the head of the Sports Science Committee.
The Traditions Committee was dissolved, as its functions were considered redundant to those of the Ferenc Mező Sports Committee.
Finally, the Board also discussed the eligibility of sports to be included in the Olympic programme. It was confirmed that the Hungarian American Football Association is entitled to delegate a member to the MOB General Assembly, as American Football will be included in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
**Daniel Gyurta was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, Saturday, October 5, as part of the Class of 2024. He is seen here alongside two of his two coaches Ferenc Kovacshegyi and Jozsef Nagy.
ISHOF Inducts its Class of 2023 Masters Honorees into MISHOF
On Friday, October 4, during the ISHOF Honoree weekend, the International Swimming Hall of Fame inducted its (Masters) MISHOF Class of 2023. It was a wonderful evening for the Masters community and they showed up in force as did the rest of the aquatics world. The evening was hosted by ISHOF Historian, Bruce Wigo. Most Masters Honorees from the Class of 2023 were able to attend but two were not, and they were certainly missed.
SWIMMERS:
TOM WOLF (USA)
Tom Wolf began swimming at the age of four. He had quite a career through his high school and college years, graduating high school as a two-time state champ in the 100 back, adding the 200 IM as a Senior and was a three-time All-American his Senior year. He went on to Harvard to swim for some of the greatest coaches in our sport his Freshman year, Don Gambril and Skip Kenney. As a Freshman, he established school records in the 100 and 200 yd. backstroke, and captured the 200 yd. back title in the conference championships, during his last three years at Harvard.
After a six year hiatus, he began swimming Masters in the 25-29 age group when he moved to Washington and discovered DC Masters. He has set 28 FINA Masters World Records competing in the backstroke and the I.M. events and has been in the world rankings since 1983.
Wolf has been plagued with injuries between 2005 and 2021, but he is slowly making his way back. In 2023, he added one new world record. But this year, 2024 was a new year, and a new age group, 70-74, his TENTH age group, and he has already added five new individual and seven relays records to his count. There may be no stopping Tom now!
GLEN CHRISTIANSEN (SWE)
Glen Christiansen is a former Swedish Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics, where he finished 11th in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Since then, he has had continued success as a Masters swimmer and has pursued an international career as a swimming coach. He broke 24 world records between 1986 and 2009 and has competed in eight Masters World Championships , winning a total of 26 medals.
Glen’s excellence in the pool extends to a myriad of contributions to the sport. He founded “Swimming Without Borders” which organizes swim camps for children, youths and adults of different nationalities, ages and abilities. He also started “Schwimm Schule Schweden,” a swim school for children teaching curriculum he developed and teaches throughout the world.
In 2013, Glen’s Master career was interrupted by a stroke, he experienced while conducting a Master’s swim camp in Tenerife. The stroke caused a him to fall down a flight of stairs, only to wake up three weeks later in the hospital. He was paralyzed on his left side and unable to speak, eat or drink properly, but he promised his eight-year-old son that he would one day be fit again. Of course, swimming became the measure of his recovery and just six months later he won a 2.5 km open water race.
In 2022, Glen won his first international title, the 200m butterfly at the European Championships in in Rome, Italy. New world records are coming slowly, but Glen is thankful to be alive and back into swimming.
WATER POLO PLAYER:
JOSE LUIS MARTIN GOMEZ (ESP)
In 1998, Jose Luis Martin Gomez joined the Real Canoe Masters team, but the club’s philosophy was different from his. He envisioned water polo as a catalyst for shared experiences, a platform for family and friends to bond. Gradually, he transformed this vision into reality.
Inspired by a tournament in Germany, Jose Luis conceived the Copa de España de Waterpolo Masters. The inaugural event in 2004 brought together teams from Spain, Germany, and Italy. The tournament grew exponentially, fueled by the unwavering dedication of the players and the supportive atmosphere created by their families and friends.
Their commitment extended beyond the pool. They organized extravagant events, from pirate ship adventures to Spanish country fiestas. The tournament became a celebration of life, as much as a sporting competition. His teams have been champions, runners-up “and have even finished in last place. But, always, they have had their families and friends by their side supporting them.
For the record, Jose Luis has attended 11 FINA/World Aquatics World Masters Championships for one gold, one silver and three bronzes; eight European Masters for one gold, one silver and four bronze; one World Masters Games for a gold medal; and he played in 13 German Masters competitions for seven gold, four silvers and two bronzes.
Jose Luis has been the president of the Organizing Committee of the Spain Cup from 2003 until 2018 and has been awarded special prizes of the community of Madrid — 2011 Master Athlete of the Year and 2015 Extraordinary Medal of Sports Merit.
Jose Luis exemplifies what it means to be a masters athlete, both as an athlete and as an official who promotes the sport and shows what fun, competition and travel can do for us. For his home competition, the motto is: “Family, party and water polo.”
ARTISTIC SWIMMER:
LIZZI JAKOBSEN (USA)*
Lizzi Jakobsen was one of the five original members of the team that became the Southern California Unsyncables. She convinced the others that they too could compete in Masters. Events were added for Masters in local competitions. They gave exhibitions whenever and wherever asked, generally at other local pools, backyards and cities, even one offshore at the Catalina Island beach.
Lizzi Jakobsen and the “Unsyncables” were inspired by the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, so, they decided to enter the Masters National Championships that year, where they placed 6th in the team. Adding a few members each year, the self-taught group watched local competitions and tried to emulate what they saw. They competed in nationals again in 1986, ‘88, ‘90, and ‘91. With the FINA World Masters being held in Indianapolis in 1992, they planned to enter and asked Dawn Bean, recently retired youth coach, to help them and were elated to come home with medals in four events including gold medals in the 50-59 age group team.
Lizzi was the team leader who did all the organization and paperwork to be part of U.S. Synchro along with preparing entries for competitions and determining routines. As the group grew, Lizzie continued the Board of Directors and served as treasurer for many, many years. In her age group, she became a top swimmer in all events winning solo, duet or trio and team in national championships and in many of the international meets. She won the May McEwan award in 2008. The U.S. award is given annually to someone who has made outstanding contributions to and best exemplifies the spirit of Masters synchro.
Her first international event was a competition in her old hometown of Arbus, Denmark in 1989. Then when the World Masters meet was being held in Indianapolis, they began competing in the FINA Masters World Championships. Lizzi swam events in Indianapolis (1992), Montreal (1994), Sheffield, England (1996), Munich (2000), Christchurch, New Zealand (2002), Riccione, Italy (2004), Stanford, California (2006), and Goteborg, Sweden (2010).
Lizzi passed away on April 22, 2022. Lizzi’s daughter, Ingrid and her granddaughter, came to Fort Lauderdale to receive Lizzi’s award in person.
CONTRIBUTOR:
NADINE DAY (USA) – Masters Swimming Contributor
Born in Hawaii, Nadine’s introduction to swimming was natural. Her participation in the Amateur Athletic Union program at the age of seven was the beginning of a lifetime commitment to the sport. Her success in age group swimming led to a full scholarship to Northwestern University where she earned All-American honors and competed in the 1988 Olympic Trials. A back injury her freshman year curtailed her collegiate competitive career, but the injury and healing process inspired her to become a physical therapist.
In 2001, she discovered Masters Swimming. Masters was the chance to resurrect her competitive career. Nadine has earned USMS All-Star Honors in long distance and in the pool, achieved All-American honors in all four strokes and the Individual Medley, has set Masters World Records and is a multi- time world and national champion in both the pool and open water.
But Nadine’s competitive resume pales next to her volunteer achievements within the swimming world. After attending her first United States Masters Swimming convention in 2003, Nadine put her toe in the ‘volunteer’ water by joining several committees. Since that initiation, Nadine has been a working member of the Recognition and Awards, Governance, Convention, Policy, Coaches, Compensation and Benefits, and Sports Medicine and Science Committees. She also participated in the creation of the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation. Concurrently she served her LMSC as Vice Chair, and ultimately Chair. Nadine’s progression through USMS includes election to the Board of Directors in 2005, where she served for 17 years. Her deep immersion in all things Masters Swimming led to her election in 2011 as the youngest President in the history of the organization. Upon completion of her eight-year term, Nadine expanded her focus to FINA, initially as a World Championship Deck Coach, then as a USAS/FINA Delegate to the World Congress in Barcelona and beginning in 2021, as Chairperson of the World Aquatics Masters Committee. Nadine is also involved with Pan Am Aquatics (formerly UANA) volunteering in many capacities, from Deck Coach, to conducting Masters Swim Clinics, as an Open Water and Masters Member, and as an Open Water Masters Representative.
As part of her term on the United States Aquatic Sports Board of Trustees, Nadine took over planning and running the USAS 2019 annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Her team’s execution of the convention’s weeklong meetings for over 1,000 delegates was flawless.
Through her tireless devotion to all things Masters Swimming, Nadine has been recognized with numerous awards including the Dorothy Donnelly Service Award, Ted Haartz Staff Appreciation Award, United States Aquatic Sports Women in Swimming Award, the Illinois Masters Swimming Association Coach of the Year Award, and USMS’s most prestigious honor, the Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award. With her selection to the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame, Nadine has secured a place as one of swimming’s most valuable contributors.
CLARY MUNNS (AUS)
This 80-year-old grandmother competes for the Blacktown City Masters Swimming Club in New South Wales, Australia. She has set eight long course and 25 short course Masters World Records in the backstroke, butterfly and I.M since 1988 with 13 world records in 2019 alone, yet she has only competed in one FINA Masters World Championships, back in 1988, when the championships came to Australia.
Clary Munns accumulated all her 1297 world points by breaking world records and achieving world rankings. Since 1986, Clary has been in the Top Ten, 25 times and is currently competing in the 80-84 age-group, having just turned 80.
Clary started swimming at eight years old in her homeland of Denmark, where she was self-taught in Copenhagen harbor in the summer months. Breaststroke was something that she picked up quickly, due to the need to stay afloat with the harbor not having a bottom within reach to stand on. Those first few years of swimming weren’t about competition but about enjoying the water and swimming.
At around 12, Clary moved to Svendborg and when swimming at the local pool, some older girls from the swimming club spotted her and asked her to join. She would compete occasionally and when she was about 15, swam at the Scandinavian Junior Championships in Norway. Shortly after however, Clary gave up swimming.
It wasn’t until many years later, after she had moved to Australia, that she started swimming again with Blacktown Masters as a 44-year-old in 1988. While Clary is a remarkable backstroker, she has demonstrated her versatility and skill as a state and national record holder across all strokes.
One of Clary’s first major meets with the club was at the FINA Masters World Championships in Brisbane in 1988. At the World Championships, Clary placed in the top 16 in the back and breast events (50m-200m) in the women’s 40-44 age group.
Clary’s results continued to blossom from there as she set countless records. Clary currently holds 50 long course and 53 Australian records across different age groups and 65 long course and 64 short course New South Wales State Records. Clary is also part of many long-standing State and National relay records.
Clary has been named Sport NSW’s Masters Athlete of the Year on three separate occasions, in 2009, 2015 and 2016. In 2016 and 2019, she was awarded Masters Australia’s Swimmer of the Year. In addition, Clary has been awarded the Swimmer of the Meet trophy at the Australian National Championships, in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2016, Clary won Blacktown City Council’s Sportsperson of the Year award.
Clary does not swim for accolades – she swims because of the relaxation and stress release the sport brings to her. She is always a positive presence on pool deck and is always encouraging Blacktown’s members to swim their best and to have fun.
DIVER:
TARJA LILJESTROM (FIN)
Tarja Liljeström was born in 1946 in Helsinki, Finland. Her love of diving began at a young age when she was watching clown divers in a water show jumping from springboards and platforms playfully into the pool. She began diving at the age of 11 years old and 11 years later, she represented her homeland of Finland in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, on both the 3-meter springboard and the 10-meter platform in the diving competition. In the 1980 Moscow and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, she acted as a judge in the diving competitions.
She became interested in Masters Diving in 1989, when a small group of divers from the USA and Germany participated in the First Open Finn-Masters diving competition in Helsinki. Tarja tells a great story about the event which epitomizes the World and the beauty of Masters. “To the surprise of the organizers, and everyone in attendance, the USA had an 88-year-old diver, named Viola Krahn, competing on the 1-meter springboard. Tarja said, “the younger divers at the event stood by ready on the poolside to jump into the water to save her, if something went wrong in her dive, but the amazing lady dived magnificently.”
It was then that Tarja decided that joining the Masters group after your competitive diving career ended, was a great idea. It helps maintain your health, your muscle strength, and it is great exercise for all all age-groups. As a bonus, Masters diving makes you feel younger than your physical age. Tarja also finds it inspiring, when traveling to different international Masters events, meeting up with her many old diving friends from her early competitive days.
Tarja’s international Masters career includes competing in nine FINA Masters World Championships during 1992 – 2008, where she accumulated 25 medals (9 gold, 15 silver and 1 bronze) in the 1m and 3m springboards and the platform. During this period, she participated in four age-groups: 45-49 through 60-64.
In addition, she was a member of the FINA Masters Committee (1997 – 2009) and member of the LEN Masters Committee (1994 – 2008). Tarja is a researcher for the University of Helsinki.
About MISHOF
The purpose of the MISHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness, and participation in adult aquatic programs. MISHOF recognizes the achievements of individuals who have participated in Masters programs through at least four different Masters age groups. Most must pre-qualify by an objective point system based on world records performances, world Top Ten rankings and World Championship performances. The MISHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org