Carol Zaleski (USA) to be Inducted as Honor Contributor as Part of ISHOF Class of 2022

Carol Zaleski will join ISHOF’s esteemed Class of 2022 as an Honor Contributor, joining 10 other aquatic greats who will be enshrined in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday night, October 15, 2022.

Zaleski has a resume that is like no other, highlighted by a lot of firsts. She was elected to the FINA Technical Swimming Committee and served as Honorary Secretary from 1988-1992. She was the first woman Chairman beginning in 1992, and she held that post through 2005.  She served as Vice-Chairman and was the leader of interpreting and formulating the rules for international swimming.  She retired as the chair of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee in May 2022, after a total of 26 years as Chairman, which is unprecedented in FINA history. She established the first worldwide Swimming Officials Seminar to provide consistency to officiating worldwide. Carol has presided over six FINA Technical Congresses (1996 through 2017), critical meetings which enacted new rules for the sport.

Carol Zaleski at FINA General Congress

Zaleski was elected President of UANA in 2003 and served as Vice President. On the World Championships level, she was Competition Director at two editions, 1991-Perth and 1994-Rome. On the Olympic level, she served as Meet Referee at two Games, 1984-Los Angeles and 1988-Seoul, and was the Competition Director at four Games, 1992-Barcelona, 1996-Atlanta, 2000-Sydney, 2004-Athens.  In addition, she was the first female referee both at a FINA World Championships and an Olympic Games.

USA Swimming’s Executive Director Ray Essick and President Carol Zaleski

Carol Zaleski has been both President of USA Swimming and President of the United States Aquatic Sports.   

“You know where you stand with her. She’s detail-oriented and always has the swimmers’ best interests in mind.”

“Carol is going to be difficult to replace (at FINA),” USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus once said. “She’s warm and polite, but when she talks, people listen.”

FINA Meeting 2013

Carol Zaleski has been a force in USA Swimming, FINA and swimming on a global level for as long as anyone can remember. The world of swimming will move on without her, but it just won’t be the same.

More About Carol Zaleski:

In Beijing in 2008, she became the first female deck referee in Olympic swimming.  “I was honored to be the first (woman) deck referee, but I prefer being in charge,” she said.

Zaleski in charge!

Make your plans now to attend October 15, 2022!  Purchase your tickets TODAY!!! (Get info on membership here.) Can’t attend the event? Donate to ISHOF to support our honorees.


This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:

International Swimming Hall of Fame 2022 Honorees

Craig Beardsley (USA) – Swimming

Natalie Coughlin (USA)  Swimming

Marilyn Bell (CAN) – Open Water Swimming

Michael Klim (AUS) – Swimming

Jon Sieben (AUS) – Swimming

Daichi Suzuki (JPN)– Swimming

Matthew Mitcham (AUS) – Diving

Ursula Carlile (AUS) – Coach

Peter Huerzeler (SUI) – ISHOF Contributor

Mirko Vicevic (YUG/MON) Water Polo

Carol Zaleski (USA) Contributor

Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees

USA Swimmer (TBA) USA Contributor (TBA)

Edith Bohm (GER) Masters Swimmer

Olga Kokorina (RUS) Masters Swimmer

Shigehisha Sekikawa (JPN) Masters Swimmer

Birte Hohlstein (GER)  Masters Artistic Swimming

Guenther Wolf (GER) Masters Water Polo

The Induction Weekend Schedule

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Official 57th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner

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    • 5:30 pm VIP Reception
    • 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner

Purchase Tickets HERE

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. 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, 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 $189 per night

Honoree Ceremony October 15, 2022 Last Day to Book: Friday, September 30, 2022

BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE