Swimming World Presents ‘Takeoff to Tokyo: The 2000 Olympics’ “Sydney 6″‘
Takeoff to Tokyo:The 2000 Olympics’ “Sydney 6”
By John Lohn
With the 32nd Olympiad slated for next summer in Japan, Swimming World will tip its cap to history. Through its “Takeoff to Tokyo” series, the magazine will examine some of the most significant moments in Olympic lore.
In another hemisphere, as winter gave way to spring, a unique era dawned. Nearly two decades ago, there was belief a group of fresh-faced boys could emerge as mainstays for United States Swimming. As they raced over eight days at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, experts could not help but ask: “Is something special happening here?”
History has proven, time and again, that not all rising talents realize their touted potential. So, strictly from a mathematical perspective, the odds were against these six teenage guys to do what they did.
It’s not that teenagers are unusual on the global scene. Rather, for several to emerge on a simultaneous path—and then continue to grow their careers—is what sets the Sydney Six aside as a distinct group. More, their individual stories included unique arcs.
There was Michael Phelps and the beginning of his climb to the top of Mount Olympus. There was the precocious sprinter in Anthony Ervin, who later in his career would write an epic comeback tale. While Maine-raised Ian Crocker emerged from an unusual locale, Aaron Peirsol was next in a long line of Southern California talents to make his name known. For Klete Keller, an under-the-radar approach became the norm. Then there was Erik Vendt, whose training tenacity and grinder personality served him well.
The scenario that unfolded for Michael Phelps, Anthony Ervin, Ian Crocker, Aaron Peirsol, Klete Keller and Erik Vendt could very well remain unmatched.
To read more about each swimmer of the Sydney 6,check out the November issue of Swimming World, out now!
Fitting Remembrance Day tribute to Olympic champion and Australian War hero Cecil Healy
by IAN HANSON – OCEANIA CORRESPONDENT
10 November 2019
In his first Remembrance Day tribute in Canberra today, Australian Governor-General David Hurley AC DSC, has paid tribute to legendary Olympic swimming gold medallist Cecil Healy – who remains the only Australian Olympic gold medallist to lose his life in the line of duty.
And sadly a man whose extraordinary deeds are still lost on many Australians.
General Hurley, himself a former senior Army officer who spent more than four decades in the military, delivered a moving and fitting commemorative address, honouring Healy, who had won gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm.
CECIL HEALY: Olympic gold medallist and War Hero Photos Courtesy:Healy Family Collection.
And who is also remembered for one of the most selfless acts of sportsmanship in Olympic history.
Healy, aged 33, lost his life serving with the Australian Imperial Forces during the Great War of 1914-18, a man who went on to enlist as an infantry platoon commander “despite his reservations about the causes and justification for the war” said General Hurley.
“Cecil Healy had no love of the military,” said General Hurley “No desire to fight. But he recognised that his values and his freedom was threatened.
“Reluctantly, he chose to serve, fully understanding the risk contained in that decision. In that, he is an example to us today….and we shall be forever grateful to the thousands of men and women, like Cecil, who we remember today.”
It was three years after his Olympic glory that Healy enlisted in the AIF on September 15, 1915 and after service as a quartermaster sergeant in the Army Service Corps in Egypt and France the champion Manly lifesaver and Olympic gold medallist transferred to the infantry officer school at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he swam, rowed, boxed and played rugby.
On June 1, 1918 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 19th (Sportsman’s) Battalion but was killed in his first action in the battle for Mont St Quentin, The Somme, on August 29 – just 74 days before the World War I Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918 and commemorated today.
DUKE KAHANAMOKU: Olympic champion and father of surfing. Photo Courtesy: Kahanamoku Collection.
And General Hurley’s due praise for Healy [Video of the speech at ABC] continued when he described as “the greatest act of sportsmanship in Olympic history” for Healy’s brave decision, when before the semi-finals of the 100m freestyle at the Stockholm Games, the US team, including race favourite Duke Kahanamoku had failed to arrive, he led a protest not to swim without Duke.
After a stand-off brought the Olympic swimming events to a stand-still, officials eventually agreed to wait for the Americans and it was Kahanamoku who went on to win the gold in 1:03.4 from Healy (1:04.6) with a second American Ken Huszagh taking the bronzed in 1:05.6.
The dramatic circumstance forged a friendship between Cecil and Duke that saw the Hawaiian “Father of Surfing” come to Sydney in 1915.
Healy helped organise Kahanamoku’s history-making visit, an adventure that inspired generations of surfboard riders – introducing the pastime to Freshwater Beach – where his surfboard remains in the club’s Hall of Champions (and it is fitting that in 2020, the sport of surfing will make its Olympic debut in Tokyo).
In his 2019 book “Cecil Healy – A Biography” 1960 Rome 100m freestyle gold medallist John Devitt, with co-author Larry Writer, wrote “Healy refused to swim in the 100-metres final unless the Duke, the favourite, was allowed to compete. The great Hawaiian had missed his semi-final after a misunderstanding over the starting time. Healy’s gesture cost him victory but earned him a place in sport’s pantheon of true champions.”
Devitt, another true champion who had long seen Healy as his hero, with their lives travelling down such similar paths in sport and in life and it had been a life long ambition of Devitt’s to travel to The Somme to visit Healy’s grave and honour his fellow Olympic champion with a detailed biography of his life.
STOCKHOLM OLYMPIC 4x200m freestyle relay gold medallists Les Boardman, Malcolm Champion (NZL), Cecil Healy and Harold Hardwick Photo Courtesy: Healy Family Collection.
At the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Devitt had been part of the Australian gold medal-winning 4x200m freestyle relay team with Jon Henricks, Murray Rose and Kevin O’Halloran – 44 years after Healy had won the same gold medal with Leslie Boardman, Malcolm Champion (NZL) and Harold Hardwick in Stockholm.
(Ironically it was another 44 year gap between Olympic gold medal victories, when Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim, Todd Pearson and Bill Kirby also won gold in the 4x200m freestyle).
Such was Devitt’s feelings for his hero, when Manly Council chose to honour Devitt (like Healy a long time Manly Swimming Swimming Club member) by naming their new eight-lane indoor pool after the 1956 and 1960 Olympic champion.
But Devitt convinced the powers-that-be to change the name to the Devitt-Healy pool.
Devitt, also a former Australian Olympic Committee executive, was one of the men instrumental in getting the Olympics to Sydney in 2000.
He told Robert Patterson of the Manly Daily that it was important to him to have Healy’s name next to his as a “tangible memento.”
ROME OLYMPIC 100m freestyle champion John Devitt. Photo Courtesy: John Devitt.
Former Manly Mayor Jean Hay had originally planned to name the pool after Mr Devitt, but after talks with him, she asked the Northern Beaches Council to change it. Ms Hay, a long time supporter of the Olympics and sport, said she had known Mr Devitt since she was 12 and said he was deserving of the recognition.
“I regard myself as having had a similar life (to Cecil Healy),” said Devitt, “We have enjoyed a great escalator, we have been successful but when the discussion came up I thought Cecil should have been recognised…and I said our names should be associated.”
Patterson wrote that the humble act by Mr Devitt was fitting, given Mr Healy’s reputation as one of Australia’s most honourable sportsmen for his unselfish act in 1912 that would have certainly seen him win that individual Olympic gold.
As an elite young swimmer, as a resident of Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches, where Healy once lived, and as a noted swimming historian, Devitt became engrossed in the Healy legend, writing the labour of love on his hero’s life.
THE GRAVE of fallen Olympian Cecil Healy in The Somme. Photo Courtesy: Healy Family.
And again today a further fitting tribute to Cecil Healy by General Hurley, some 101 years after the death of a true Australian champion.
Cecil Healy and John Devitt are both honorees in the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale.
CECIL HEALY: A BIOGRAPHY is published by Stoke Hill Press. For more information about the book, or to arrange an interview with John Devitt or Larry Writer, please contact publisher Geoff Armstrong on the numbers listed above or via the Stoke Hill Press website: www.stokehillpress.com
Passages: Water Polo Legend István Szívós Passes Away at 71
by BRUCE WIGO
11 November 2019, 01:33pm
István Szívós, Jr, Water Polo Legend, Has Died
April 24, 1948 – November 10, 2019
István Szívós, Jr. – whose father was a two-time Olympic champion (in 1952 and 1956) and whose son, Marton, was a world champion and 2012 Olympian – has died in Budapest. Szívós took part in four Olympic Games and won four Olympic medals from 1968-1980. In addition to his Montreal title, he won silver medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and bronze medals at the 1968 Mexico City and 1980 Moscow Summer Games. In addition, he was a world and two-time European champion. He appeared in the national team at the age of eighteen in 1966 and played a total of 308 times until 1980. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame 1996, one year earlier than his father István Szívós, Sr., who won Olympic gold medals in water polo. The real water polo family of the Szívós family, István Szívós’s father, the older István Szívós was also an Olympic champion, while his son Márton Szivós won the gold of the World Championship.
Photo Courtesy: International Swimming Hall of Fame
István Szívós, Jr. was born on April 24, 1948 in Budapest. He was introduced the water polo at an early age and joined the Ferencváros Gymnastics Club (FTC) at the age of 12. His career was interesting. Because of his great size and extremely long arms, he would grow to a height of 6’8” with a wing span of 7 feet, he ushered in a new era in water polo that focused on the importance of the center forward position. Whether he caused the game to be tactically focused on the center position or he was the first star of the center oriented game is debatable, but according to Hall of Fame coach Dénes Kemény, the two are together.
It is no coincidence that Szívós played for the two clubs that dominated water polo in Hungary (FTC, OSC) during his career. In 1964, at the age of just 16, Szívós celebrated his first Cup championship, but in 1968, after playing in the Mexico City Olympic Games, he switched from playing for FTC to the Orvosegyetem Sport Club (OSC). The switch was not about money or any disagreement with FTC, it was because he wanted to be a dentist and it was customary at the time to play for a club associated with the university a player attended. Because of hostility on the part of FTC fans he sat out the first time the teams met after the change, but was encouraged by a friend who told him it was good “that they loved him so much “ He played for OSC for the remainder of his career and led them to several Hungarian and European Club titles.
Kemény said István Szívós is a role model because he continued his education as an Olympic and world champion, as a top athlete, and from the moment he received his diploma, he worked his entire life as a dentist without ever leaving the sport.
From 1974 he was an assistant professor at the SOTE Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Department, from 1986 to 2010 he was an assistant professor. In addition to his work, he graduated from the College of Physical Education (now University) in 1981. From 1980 to 1981 he was the technical director of the Medicor OSC, and from 1983 to 1990 coached the FTC’s water polo team, and from 1986 to 1990 he was the leader of the youth and junior varsity teams.
In 1992 he was elected to the presidency of the Hungarian Water Polo Association, and in 2002 he became president of the Water Polo Department of the Central Sports School (KSI). He was selected as the Hungarian water polo player of the year three times (1969, 1970, 1971). In 1994 he was awarded the Civil Section of the Central Cross of the Republic of Hungary. In 1996 his handprint and signature were placed on the Wall of Hungarian Sports Stars. In 2000, he became a member of the Hungarian water polo team of the century, most of them from the 1976 Montreal championship team. In 2016, he received the László Papp Budapest Sports Award.
István Szívós
Born April 24, 1948 in Budapest
Nationality: Hungarian
Clubs as players: Ferencváros (1960-1968), OSC (1968-1980)
Best player results: Olympic champion (1976), Olympic silver medalist (1972), 2x Olympic bronze medalist (1968, 1980), world champion (1973), 2x world champion silver medalist (1975, 1978), 2x European champion (1974, 1977), Europe silver medalist (1970), world cup winner (1979), 9x Hungarian champion (1965, 1968-1974, 1978), 5x Hungarian Cup winner (1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1974), 2x BEK winner (1973, 1978) )
Clubs as coach: Ferencváros (1983-1990), youth, youth selection (1986-1990)
Best results as coach: 2x Hungarian Champion (1988, 1990), 2x Hungarian Cup Winner (1989, 1990), European Youth Champion (1989)
Awards: 3x Hungarian water polo player of the year (1969-1971), Hungarian Republic Medal of the Cross (1994), International Swimming Hall of Fame (1996), member of the Hungarian water polo team of the century (2000), László Papp Budapest-Sports Award (2016) Ferenc Csík Award (2018)
Bernard Freyberg: Swimmer Recognized As One Of British Military’s Greatest Heroes
By Bruce Wigo
Bernard Freyberg, a New Zealander who distinguished himself both in swimming and in war, used his expertise in swimming to perform one of the most heroic acts of World War I.
Challenges. Everyone experiences them. They are, after all, an important part of life. But people react very differently to the challenges with which they are confronted.
Some people do everything they possibly can to avoid having to respond to life’s challenges. They try to blend in with the scenery, making themselves as inconspicuous as possible in the hope that no one will see them and force them to react. Other folks take a sort of neutral approach: they don’t go seeking challenges, but when confronted by them, respond as best they can.
But there’s another, much smaller group of people who actively seek out challenges, who choose to do battle against other individuals, institutions, the natural elements or simply the state of civilization. These people look for challenges by which to test themselves.
Such a man was Bernard Freyberg.
To read more about Bernard Freyberg and his feats of heroism in the water,check out the November issue of Swimming World, out now!
Swimming World Presents “Simone Manuel: Making a Difference”
Simone Manuel: Making a Difference
By David Rieder
Through a constant drive for bettering herself, Simone Manuel has crafted a career for which she may eventually be remembered as the greatest American sprinter ever. But she has forever changed the sport, her impact reaching far beyond any medal she has won.
Because of her platform on the sport’s biggest stage, Manuel has opened up swimming to the African-American community on a level never before seen in the United States. Manuel cannot forget the many instances of parents approaching her to say that their son or daughter wanted to join swim lessons because they watched Manuel in the Olympics, and there were even instances of older people joining swim lessons because she had inspired them.
“I think it’s really cool that me swimming up the pool just a couple of times on TV can inspire people to get in the pool and learn how to swim or dream about things that they never thought they possibly could achieve,” she said.
Manuel grew up in a world where African-American swimmers were the exception, and above all else, that’s the change she wants to see in swimming.
“When I was 12 years old, I came home from swim practice, and I asked my mom why there weren’t many people that looked like me in the sport of swimming,” Manuel said. “We did some research, and we looked up African-American swimmers. Obviously, I knew of Cullen Jones and Maritza Correia, but I learned about Sabir Muhammad and Tanica Jamison and so many others who didn’t quite get the recognition that they deserved in the sport.”
To read more about Simone Manuel’s impact and her attitude toward Tokyo 2020,check out the November issue of Swimming World, available now!
Olympic Legend Dawn Fraser Named 42nd Swimming Australia Life Member
by IAN HANSON – OCEANIA CORRESPONDENT
24 October 2019, 11:44pm
Dawn Fraser Life Member Of Swimming Australia
Olympic swimming legend and national treasure Dawn Fraser AC, MBE has become the 42nd Life Member of Swimming Australia at its 110th Annual General Meeting this week.
And a spritely 82-year-old Dawn was able to share the news immediately with her daughter Dawn-Lorraine and grandson Jackson on speaker phone.
“After 60 odd years I think it is an absolute thrill and when (Swimming president) John Bertrand rang me yesterday fortunately my daughter and grandson were in the car and they were so excited, and I was excited too,” said Dawn, still actively involved as an ambassador and mentor with the sport she loves.
“I think it is a wonderful thing that has been done for me and I am so proud I am an Australian swimmer.
“I (still) love seeing all the young kids coming through and I am mentoring a few of them, including a few Para athletes.
“I really get enjoyment from seeing them improve their times and they enjoy swimming as much as I used to.”
Photo Courtesy: Australian Women’s Weekly.
Regarded as one the finest female sprint swimmers in the world, Fraser won four gold and four silver Olympic medals across the course of her brilliant career which spanned more than a decade throughout the 50s and 60s.
Having held 39 world records – 27 of them individual – the lovable larrikin was the first swimmer to win the same event at three consecutive Olympic Games, claiming gold in the 100m freestyle in 1956, 1960 and 1964.
In 1964 she was fittingly named the Australian of the Year and in 1965 was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF).
In subsequent years, Fraser was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998.
As part of the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours she was elevated to a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) – the highest honour one can receive.
She has also amassed worldwide accolades, with the International Olympic Committee naming her the World’s Greatest Living Female Water Sports Champion in 1999.
Photo Courtesy: Dawn Fraser Collection.
Tokyo revisited in 2020
And the Life Membership comes on the eve of the 2020 Tokyo Games – 56 years after her greatest triumph at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics where she created history with her third individual Olympic gold – and the Games that saw her incur the wraith of the then Australian Swimming Union which resulted in a 10 year ban for “alleged misconduct,” which included the now infamous “stolen flag” incident.
Fraser carried the Australian flag in the Closing Ceremony and was then presented with the stolen flag by the Japanese Emperor only to face the music of the ASU on her return to Australia.
Photo Courtesy: Dawn Fraser Collection
A ban that was eventually lifted after three years and before the 1968 Mexico Games – after she fought the ASU in court – but now some 50 years on and Dawn Fraser has rightly been recognised for her feats in the pool and the glory she has brought to Australia – a true blue Aussie that all Australians can relate to.
Life after swimming would see her very public life blossom between pubs, politics and pools and in 1978 she stepped behind the bar of her beloved Riverview Hotel in Balmain, the pub she ran for five years and then later followed a term as the Local Member for Balmain in the NSW State Parliament – never afraid to voice her opinions.
Dawn remains the lovable larrikin
Fraser remains the loveable larrikin of Australian public life and loves nothing more than to walk onto pool deck, talking to the swimmers and posing for photos – still as popular and as notable as Ian Thorpe and Cate Campbell – and sharing a beer or a wine to toast their feats.
Bertrand said his board was thrilled to recognise one of Australia’s most decorated athletes with Life Membership.
“As a Board, endorsing Dawn as a Life Member of Swimming Australia was one of the easiest decisions we’ve made, and I can’t think of a more deserving recipient,” Bertrand said.
“I don’t throw around the word ‘legend’ very often, but Dawn is a legend of our sport and the epitome of the word.
“Her achievements in the pool will forever be proudly etched in Australia’s history. What she accomplished is nothing short of astounding and since her retirement, she has continued to give so much to our sport – you won’t find a more passionate person about swimming than our ‘Dawnie’.”
Current Nunawading Head Coach and Olympian, Scott Talbot, the son of the late Jan Cameron OAM and legendary former head coach and 2004 Life Member Don Talbot, was also on hand at the AGM to accept his mother’s Life Membership.
Photo Courtesy: Dawn Fraser Collection
Cameron (pictured fourth from the bottom of the 1964 team) was a team mate of Fraser’s (bottom of photo in sunglasses) and was posthumously awarded Life Membership in 2018 along with former legendary Australian Olympic coach and Learn-to-Swim advocate Laurie Lawrence.
Life Membership is a prestigious level of recognition for swimmers, coaches, administrators, officials and volunteers. To view all Life Members of Swimming Australia, click here.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame Supports Legislation to Make Every Child A Swimmer
21 October 2019, 10:19am
Tackling the national epidemic of childhood drowning head on, the International Swimming Hall of Fame- under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Bill Kent, will be a driving force behind Florida legislation to require swim lessons for all children before they are admitted into Kindergarten.
The proposed legislation requires each district school board and the governing authority of each private school to require that each child who is entitled to admittance to kindergarten, or is entitled to any other initial entrance into a public or private school in this state, present a certification of a school-entry health examination performed within 1 year before enrollment in school. The school-entry health examination must require each child to have an understanding of water safety and have completed swimming lessons.
Each district school board and the governing authority of each private school, may establish a policy that permits a student up to 30 school days to present a certification of a school-entry health examination. Children and youths who are experiencing homelessness and children who are known to have other defined issues shall be given a temporary exemption for 30 school days. Any district school board that establishes such a policy shall include provisions in its local school health services plan to assist students in obtaining the school-entry health examinations. However, a child shall be exempted from the requirement of a school-entry health examination upon written request of the parent stating objections to the examination on religious grounds.
“WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE A SWIMMER!” – Bill Kent – Chairman of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
Whereas, the health and safety of our citizens are of vital concern;and Whereas, the knowledge of water safety significantly reduces the probability of drowning;and Whereas, the ability to swim is the primary means to decrease the likelihood of drowning;and Whereas, swimming is a more available form of exercise for good health and longevity everywhere in the state;and Whereas, swimming is a safe form of exercise at all stages of one’s life;and Whereas, physical education is a required curriculum
NOW, THEREFORE be it recommended that every child should demonstrate basic ability to swim before entering school at the primary level.
10 REASONS WHY EVERY CHILD SHOULD LEARN TO SWIM
As a part of the recreational sports spectrum, the ability to swim is a basic right for all citizens.
During their grade school careers, our school systems provide each student the opportunity to learn various forms of sport; no other sport can save a person’s life throughout their entire life.
The time to learn to swim is early in each person’s life since child drowning is an ever-present threat. Bodies of water are literally everywhere so this life-skill is a necessity, just like wearing seat belts while traveling in a car!
Throughout every person’s life, there will be frequent occasions where water in some for will be nearby. Accidents of this type happen daily. Swimming is a life-skill that once learned, is never forgotten.
Florida is a great state, with a green and growing economy and population. Giving her children this basic life skill is a responsibility, not an option.
Florida has bodies of water everywhere; in addition, there are more than one million backyard pools in Florida. While there are all types of regulations requiring barriers to entry, none of them are foolproof.
The only secure way of minimizing accidental drownings in the 0-4 age group is by preventative measures, not mechanical devices or barriers which can provide a false sense of security.
It would be rare for an accidental drowning to occur when the child or adult -already knows how to swim and has competent water safety knowledge.
Aquatic exercise for people of all ages and abilities generally is not an option unless the person has basic swim skills.
Swimming is a fun, healthy form of exercise and is a family-style form of sharing happiness together!
DEFINITION OF SWIMMING: “To be as comfortable and to move as easily in deep water as on land.
Sign this Petition to support legislation in the State of Florida with the goal of Florida setting the standard for other states to follow.
ISHOF HONOR DIVER PATTY ELSENER HOMAN PASSES AWAY, JUST SHY OF 90
ISHOF Honor Diver and 1948 Olympic Medalist, Patty
Elsener Homan passed away on September 29, 2019. She was just 27 days shy of turning 90.
Elsener was the greatest diver to emerge from San
Mateo county. She developed her diving
skills under the guidance of Clyde DeVine.
Patty went on to the Phil Patterson Dive Team that practiced at the
Fairmont Hotel Pool in downtown San Francisco, where she flourished for the
next five years. Her one-hour daily
commute saw her travel on a bicycle, followed by train ride, street car and
finally a cable car.
At Patterson’s, she dove with and was also
regularly coached by ISHOF Honorees,
Vicki Manalo Draves and Ann Curtis Cuneo as
well as national diving champion, Helen Crienkovich.
Elsener captured three straight U.S. Indoor Springboard
Championships 1945-47. She capped her stellar career by winning silver and bronze
medals in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. She took bronze on the 3-meter
spring board, just narrowly defeated by friend and teammates, Vicki Draves and
Zoe-Ann Olsen, making it an American sweep.
On the 10-meter platform, Patty took silver, again, just behind
Draves.
The interesting thing about Elsener was she had a fear of heights. She said “And the diving platforms in those
days for the high dive were no fun. You
had to climb a ladder straight up to get to the board. No landings or contoured steps like they have
now. And if you had acrophobia (fear of
heights) like I did, it was hard just getting to the boards for the high
dives.” She added, “I climbed with my
eyes closed.”
After the 1948 Olympic Games, the U.S. Diving Team
did some exhibitions in Frankfurt and Paris.
Patty received scholarship offers to join the diving teams of Stanford,
USC and Purdue. She settled on Purdue,
where she met and married Earl Homan.
They settled down to family life in San Bruno, California, and had three
children.
Elsener was inducted into the San Mateo County Sports
Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
SIMONE MANUEL,CALEB DRESSEL ANNOUNCED AS FINALISTS FOR 2019 TEAM USA AWARDS
by ANDY ROSS
14 October 2019
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee today announced the 30 finalists for the 2019 Team USA Awards. Four swimmers were announced as finalists for four of the six awards: Female Olympic Athlete of the Year (Simone Manuel), Male Olympic Athlete of the Year (Caeleb Dressel), Female Paralympic Athlete of the Year (Leanne Smith), and Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year (Robert Griswold).
The six award winners will be announced during the 2019 Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of the Year, held on Nov. 19 at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. NBC will provide coverage of the awards show from 3-4 p.m. ET on Dec. 22.
Online fan voting at TeamUSA.org/Awards accounts for 50 percent of the final tally, while members of the Olympic and Paralympic community – including an esteemed panel of Olympic and Paralympic journalists – account for the other 50 percent.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee helped contribute to this report.
Simone Manuel
Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant
Simone Manuel captured the most medals by a woman at a single long course world championship with seven podium finishes, winning gold in the 50-meter freestyle and 100 freestyle – becoming the first American woman to win both events and setting an American record in the 100 freestyle in the process – and earning medals in all five relays in which she competed, with gold in the 4×100 mixed freestyle and 4×100 medley, and silver in the 4×100 freestyle, 4×200 freestyle and 4×100 mixed medley.
Caeleb Dressel
Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant
He earned eight medals – including six golds and two silvers – at the 2019 long course world championships, becoming the first swimmer in history to win eight medals at the event and earning Male Swimmer of the Meet after breaking the world record in the 100-meter butterfly; and led the U.S. men with nine medals – including six golds and three silvers – at the 2018 short course world championships, setting American records in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
Leanne Smith
In her world championship debut, Leanne Smith won three gold medals and set three Pan American records, after additionally earning three medals at the world series event in Glasgow, Scotland, and winning five national titles.
Robert Griswold
Photo Courtesy: Linda Griswold
Robert Griswold took home four medals – including two golds and two silvers – at the 2019 world championships, highlighted by Pan American records in the SM8 200-meter individual medley and the S8 400 freestyle, in addition to setting a world record earlier in the year in the S8 50 backstroke.
GOLDEN GOOGLE NOMINEES ANNOUNCED BY USA SWIMMING
Following standout performances throughout 2019, including the FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, the United States’ top swimmers will be honored at USA Swimming’s 16th annual Golden Goggle Awards, slated for Sunday, November 24 at the JW Marriott at LA Live in Los Angeles, California. The Golden Goggle nominees were announced.
Leading a decorated group of nominees is Olympic and world champion Caeleb Dressel (Green Cove Springs, Fla./Bolles School Sharks/Florida) with five individual nominations following an outstanding 2019 FINA World Championships. Fellow Olympic and world champion Katie Ledecky (Bethesda, M.d./Stanford Swimming/Alto Swim Club) and world champion Regan Smith (Lakeville, Minn./Riptide Swim Team) are tied for the most individual female nominations at three.
2018 GOLDEN GOGGLES COVERAGE
Full nominee bios and event details can be found at here.
The United States’ top swimmers and coaches are nominated in eight categories for the 16th annual Golden Goggle Awards. This year’s event will allow swimming stars and attendees to mingle with celebrities, outstanding athletes, business leaders and entertainment icons under the bright lights of LA Live, right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
Dressel’s five individual nominations include four of the five nods for Male Race of the Year, highlighting his dominating performances in the 50-meter freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m butterfly (semifinal) at the World Championships. He is also the lone nominee for Male Athlete of the Year. Dressel was the first swimmer in history to win eight world championships medals, while his six gold medals tied for the third-most by a male swimmer at a single world championships competition since 1973. He was also a member of the Mixed and Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay teams earning Relay Performance of the Year nominations.
Ledecky and Smith are nominated for Female Athlete of the Year and Female Race of the Year. Ledecky also earned a nomination for the Perseverance Award, while Smith, at just 17 years old, earned a nomination for Breakout Performer of the Year.
Golden Goggle Awards nominations are based on the year’s top accomplishments by U.S. swimmers, focusing primarily on the 2019 FINA World Championships, where Americans topped the medal table in Gwangju with 30 total medals (14 gold, nine silver and seven bronze) across pool and open water competition. The complete list of 2019 Golden Goggle Awards nominees by category is below.
Online fan voting is now open and will continue through Friday, Nov. 15. A percentage of the fan vote will count towards the final ballot.
Proceeds from the Golden Goggle Awards benefit the USA Swimming Foundation, whose mission is to save lives and build champions – in the pool and in life. In addition to its Make a Splash initiative, a national, child-focused water safety campaign that stresses the importance of learning to swim, the USA Swimming Foundation supports the U.S. National Team and its development efforts aimed at strengthening the future of USA Swimming’s programs and services.
2019 Golden Goggle Nominees
Breakout Performer of the Year
Hali Flickinger
Jay Litherland
Hannah Moore
Regan Smith
Perseverance Award
Nathan Adrian
Katie Ledecky
Ashley Twichell
Coach of the Year
Jack Bauerle
Ray Looze
Greg Meehan
Mike Parratto
Gregg Troy
Relay Performance of the Year
Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay (2019 FINA World Championships)
Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay (2019 FINA World Championships)
Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay (2019 FINA World Championships)
Female Race of the Year
Simone Manuel – 100m Freestyle (2019 FINA World Championships)
Katie Ledecky – 800m Freestyle (2019 FINA World Championships)
Olivia Smoliga – 50m Backstroke (2019 FINA World Championships)
Regan Smith – 200m Backstroke semifinals (2019 FINA World Championships)
Lilly King – 100m Breaststroke (2019 FINA World Championships)
Male Race of the Year
Caeleb Dressel – 50m Freestyle (2019 FINA World Championships)
Caeleb Dressel – 100m Freestyle (2019 FINA World Championships)
Caeleb Dressel – 50m Butterfly (2019 FINA World Championships)
Caeleb Dressel – 100m Butterfly semifinals (2019 FINA World Championships)
Jay Litherland – 400m IM (2019 FINA World
Female Athlete of the Year
Lilly King
Katie Ledecky
Simone Manuel
Regan Smith
Male Athlete of the Year
Caeleb Dressel