ISHOF Hosts Friday Night Specialty Awards in addition to ISHOF Aquatic Awards
In addition to the ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presnted by AquaCal, ISHOF also presented their annual (ISHOF) Specialty Awards. The ISHOF Specialty Awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year there were a host of amazing recipients in addition to the Aquatic Awards recipients.
The 2023 Buck Dawson Authors Award –Tom Gompf and Elaine K. Howley
The 2023 Buck Dawson Authors Award went to Tom Gompf for his life story, “A Life Aloft”, and Elaine Howley, who helped write it for him.
Tom Gompf: A Life Aloft is a memoir from 1964 Olympic bronze medalist and 2002 ISHOF Honoree Thomas Gompf. The book tells of Gompf’s life as a world-class diver and lifelong champion of the sport while also reflecting on his experiences as a wartime and commercial pilot. Gompf won the bronze medal in the 10-meter platform diving event at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Gompf later became head diving coach at the University of Miami, where simultaneously, he enjoyed a 30-year career as a commercial pilot, a job which came in handy as he traveled the world as a member of FINA, the international organization that governs aquatic sports, now called World Aquatics.
Elaine K. Howley. A Life Aloft was co-written with Elaine K. Howley, an award-winning freelance journalist and editor based in Boston, Massachusetts. A southern New Jersey native, Howley holds a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a Master’s degree in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College in Boston. Howley, a lifelong swimmer herself, previously served as Publications Manager for United States Masters Swimming and Managing Editor of SWIMMER Magazine.
About Buck Dawson: Dawson was a veteran of WWII who served as assistant and publicist for Generals Gavin and Ridgeway in the 82nd Airborne. From the time he was chosen to lead ISHOF in 1962, until his death in 2008, Buck traveled the world armed with Hall of Fame brochures, books, and bumper stickers. He was always spreading the word, and always willing to talk and teach swimming and swimming history to anyone who would listen. He wrote hundreds of articles and was the author of eight books, ranging in subjects from bathing beauties to war, but especially swimming.
2023 International Swimming Hall of Fame Service Award — Laura Voet
Laura Voet has done so much for ISHOF and the Hall of Fame Aquatic Center, beyond her regular job and just for people in general, we felt this award was long over due. So, the ISHOF staff gave Laura the 2023 ISHOF Service Award. The ISHOF Service Award is given to an individual who has selflessly volunteered their time, energy, and resources to advance the interests and work of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Laura Voet has easily given over 30 years of her time, energy, ideas and skills to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). She came to Fort Lauderdale in 1990, as a graduate of both the University of Indiana and Buck Dawson’s Camp Ak-O-Mak. The Oregonian soon made Fort Lauderdale her home, and she began working at the ISHOF museum, eventually moved over to the Aquatic Center where she became an Assistant Manager along side future husband, Mark Voet and Manager, Stu Marvin, where the three of them ran the greatest aquatic events in the United States. In 2004, Laura was named manager of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, now the Aquatic Center, and after years of planning, the beautiful new upgraded Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center will always be Laura Voet’s legacy. No one knows the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center inside and out like Laura Voet does. She was there every single day, and every step of the way during the construction process, both learning and documenting it for the future. And for all her many kindnesses, talents and knowledge, ISHOF will always be eternally grateful.
2023 Judge G. Harold Martin Award — Norman Taplin
Norman Taplin was named the recipient of the 2023 Judge G. Harold Martin Award. The G. Harold Martin Award is presented to someone for their long and exceptional leadership, insight, and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making “Every Child A Swimmer”.
ISHOF Chairman of the Board, Bill Kent met Norman Taplin through a friend in early 2020 when Kent started the campaign to pass the Every Child A Swimmer (ECAS) legislation in Florida. Taplin is a lobbyist in the insurance industry, based in Palm Beach County, with offices and personnel in 15 states. He immediately introduced Kent to two Florida Senators who were key in getting the ECAS bill into the committee process. Kent says, “It wouldn’t have gotten through on that side of the legislature without Norm opening the door.” After the Florida bill passed, Kent asked if he could help in other states. Taplin proactively introduced the ECAS team to key people in both Georgia and Arkansas where legislation was recently passed in both states. On May 4, 2023, the ECAS team travelled to Atlanta to witness the signing of the Legislation, and on May 24, 2023, they went to Little Rock to do the same. Norm is already helping the ECAS group start similar campaigns in several other key states for passage in 2024.
About G. Harold Martin: Back in 1908, G. Harold Martin almost drowned in the Ohio River. Over the next two decades he almost drowned two more times. From these experiences evolved a mission to make “Every Child A Swimmer.” His civic involvement led to the building of Fort Lauderdale’s first municipal pool in 1927. Kiwanian sponsored free swim lessons at the pool, and eventually influenced the decision by ISHOF to be located in Fort Lauderdale. An active Kiwanian his entire adult life, he was instrumental in making the Key Club an integral club within Kiwanis International and the adoption of Every Child A Swimmer as a Kiwanian project.
2023 Virginia Hunt Newman International Award — Amanda Gawthrope
Amanda Gawthrope is the recipient of the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award for 2023.
Infant aquatics has been Amanda Gawthrope’s life calling and she has taught thousands of parents and babies, as well as young children all over the world since the late 1990’s. First, through Birthlight, a training scheme for teachers, parents and children based in Cambridge, England and then under her own initiative. Teaching ‘swimming better’ has been and still is her life and passion.She has done much for the development of infant aquatics since the early 1990’s. Amanda’s philosophy and inspiration started growing more rapidly after attending the World Aquatic Babies and Children (WABC) conference in Buenos Aires (2001) where she met many wonderful, professional and inspirational teachers from around the world.
Amanda has spent many years teaching children and their parents ‘swimming better’ in different countries, particularly Russia and China. While in those two countries, she also devoted part of her time to coaching children with disabilities; a group that often gets overlooked in countries like these. Amanda has always had an affection for special babies and toddlers.
She has been vocal and practical in the need to develop compromises that lead to ‘child-led swimming’ rather than focus on a baby sensory approach that avoids the challenges of submersion. Playful parent submersion and teaching by imitation appealing to infants’ sense of humor have been unique strengths in Amanda’s teaching throughout her life. Amanda believes “A lack of compromise risks pushing parents to water survival skills, which is a great loss to everyone and misrepresents gentle/happy infant aquatics”, which was the message of Virginia Hunt Newman.
2023 John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award — Gail Dummer
Gail Dummer is the 2023 recipient of the John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award. The annual award, honoring individuals or organizations who have made significant and substantial contributions to the field of adaptive aquatics.
Gail has been engaged in sustained efforts to positively influence inclusion of swimmers with disabilities in competitive swimming throughout her career as teacher, coach, administrator, volunteer, researcher and swimmer.
Of special note are the three USOC grant-funded disability swimming camps she wrote and directed that were designed to facilitate the following changes: She encouraged the organizations to work together as swimmers first, and disability second. She involved USA Swimming in helping with the selection of athletes and the disabled sports organizations in selecting one coach and one coach-in-training to promote athletes in leadership roles. She made the USOTC to conduct swimming research using swimmers with disabilities as subjects. She was able to transfer the Paralympic selection process of athletes and coaches to USA Swimming and to pull a panel of disability experts and officials together to develop officiating guidelines in order to mainstream swimmers with a disability in USA Swimming meets.
Ms. Dummer has spent her career devoted to the advancement of athletes with disabilities and promoting activities that enable both the disabled and the able bodied the opportunity to learn how to train and coach these unique athletes.
2023 Al Schoenfield Media Award — John Lohn
John Lohn is the 2023 recipient of the Al Schoenfield Media Award for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of aquatic sports through journalism. This award is presented by ISHOF in memory of Al Schoenfield.
John Lohn is the Editor-in-Chief of Swimming World Magazine and its website, www.swimmingworldmagazine.com. He has covered the sport of swimming at the international level for more than 20 years, reporting from events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, United States Nationals and NCAA Championships. He has written five books on swimming, including Below the Surface, a 2021 publication which examines the history and top moments in the sport.
Lohn has written about every aspect within the pool, from historical figures to the background of competitive swimming. He takes a fascinating, in-depth look at the history of competitive swimming and the people and moments that have defined the sport in five books:
Below the Surface: The History of Competitive Swimming (2021); The 100 Greatest Swimmers in History (2018); The Most Memorable Moments in Olympic Swimming (2014); They Ruled the Pool: The 100 Greatest Swimmers in History (2013); Historical Dictionary of Competitive Swimming (2010);
Al Schoenfield was the Editor and Publisher of Swimming World Magazine (1960-1977) and served on various international committees of swimming, including the FINA Technical Swimming Committee (1980-1984). Schoenfield’s life was a commitment to swimming and he participated in its administrative structure and spread its stories through his magazines and promotions. Al died in 2005, but his legacy will forever endure to all who have benefited from his lifetime of service to swimming
2023 ISHOF Lifetime Achievement Award – Brent Rutemiller
Brent Rutemiller was initially a part of the Swimming World Magazine family as the creator of the Aquazoids, an educational animated series that has been printed in more than 150 countries, Rutemiller eventually joined Swimming World as its head of advertising. Over time, his influence grew, to the point where he ascended to publisher.
In his role as publisher, Rutemiller led a charge against doping in the sport, and fronted SwimmingWorld’s decision to strip several East German athletes of their world and regional swimmer of the year accolades. He also served as writer for the magazine, tackling critical issues such as doping, governance and mental health. His work was cited globally by television stations, newspapers, magazines and online outlets.
Before podcasts became popular, Rutemiller created The Morning Swim Show, an online TV series which interviewed some of the top names in the sport. More, Rutemiller oversaw the merger of Swimming World with the International Swimming Hall of Fame, as he recognized the importance of joining the two best-known entities in the sport. With Rutemiller at the helm, the Hall of Fame embarked on the development of a new museum and, in cooperation with the city of Fort Lauderdale, the construction of a new aquatics facility.
2023 Duraflex Diving Award Award – Melanie Beck (GBR)
Melanie Beck’s influence in diving is felt both in her country of Great Britian and inAquatics worldwide. Her administrative work for British Swimming enabled and supportedthe sport of Diving to develop from a minority sport in GBR to the second most successfulOlympic discipline. Under her guidance and leadership five Olympic medals were achievedin Tokyo and Rio, a rise of 500% from the London Games with the discipline now sitting justbehind China in the world rankings.
On the International stage Melanie has played a major role in managing and providingguidance alongside the local organising committees at three Olympic Games as well elevenWorld Championships and is currently event planning the Olympics in Paris 2024 and hertwelfth World Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2024 and Singapore in 2025.She has served FINA in many capacities, including in 2007 she was named the ManagingDirector of the FINA Diving World Series. In 2009 Melanie was appointed to the FINA Technical Diving Committee and Convener ofthe Events Sub-Committee. In 2022 she was appointed Secretary of the World AquaticsTechnical Diving Committee and will hold this position until 2025.
HIGH DIVING In 2015 Melanie was asked to serve as the Honorary Secretary of the newlyformed Technical High Diving Committee. High Diving became the sixth star of FINA andwas included into the World Championships in Barcelona. Melanie played a key role in thiscomplex transition for the new discipline and its athletes. As a member of the FINA HighDiving Commission, she continued to influence and provide the technical expertise until2022. Her influence has been worldwide. She has travelled to all five continents promoting,debating, teaching, and educating existing world-class judges and new judges commencingtheir careers. She travels across the international circuit event managing, judging,refereeing, evaluating but most of all enjoying passionately the sport she loves.
2023 Sammy Lee World Diver Award- Micki King (USA)
Micki King thrilled the world by winning the 1972 Olympic 3-meter Diving gold medal afterhaving lost the event in the Mexico City Olympic Games four years earlier due to a divingmishap that resulted in a broken arm. Amazingly, Micki completed that event with the brokenarm before it was determined she needed the arm to be placed in a cast. Appropriately, SportsIllustrated Magazine declared,” The Queen of Diving is King”. Micki’s contribution to the World of Diving and the USA was as bright as her Olympic goldmedal. Determined to give back to the sport she loved and to the United States Air Force whosupported her Olympic quest, her list of accomplishments is truly amazing.She was appointed to a Presidential Committee to study how Olympic sport can be bettermanaged which eventually led to the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act of 1978. She wasappointed Chairman of the first Athletes Advisory Committee to the United States OlympicCommittee. Micki was twice elected to the United States Olympian Organization as VicePresident and served in that position for eight years.
As a United States Air Force officer, Micki was assigned to the USAF Academy to develop theintroduction of women cadets to the academy, as well as coach the diving team. She becamethe first woman to coach a man to an NCAA Diving Championship and was the first woman tobe appointed as an Air Force ROTC Detachment Commander. Micki was assigned to theUniversity of Kentucky, and after she retired from the USAF as a Cornel, she served as anAssistant Athletic Director for several years at Kentucky.
She was one of the first women that worked in broadcasting and was the diving commentatorfor ABC, in 1976, at the Montreal Olympic Games. Micki was voted President of USA Diving in 1990, was named manager of the United States Olympic Diving Team in 1988 (Seoul) and again in 1996 (Atlanta). She was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1978 and the United States Olympic Committee Hall of Fame in 1992 and tonight she becomes the first female recipient of the Sammy Lee World Diver Award.
ISHOF hosts the Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal on Friday evening, September 29th and they are a huge success!
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) hosted the annual ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal (formerly the Paragon Awards) on Friday evening, September 29, in Fort Lauderdale, at the Marriott Harbor Harbor Beach Resort and Spa. The event was one of the largest Aquatic Award events to date. The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics.
The annual Awards 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. ISHOF is always, along with its new sponsor, AquaCal, was proud to recognize these important individuals on Friday evening in Fort Lauderdale.
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 last almost two years, 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 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.
Ellie has recently become a resident of the City of Fort Lauderdale and trains at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center.
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 (AZE) – Water Polo
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 (USA) – 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 (USA) – 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.
#ISHOF #Aquaticawards #USASwimmingFoundation #Fortlauderdale #Diving #Waterpolo #MakeASplash #Artisticswimming #EverychildAswimmer #swimlessons #Honoreeinduction #WorldAqutics #USA #Spain #Azerbaijan #Marriottharborbeach
Fort Lauderdale approves $190M overhaul of International Swimming Hall of Fame
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved a public-private partnership (P3) development deal that would lead to the $190 million redevelopment and expansion of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
The vote on Sept. 19 approved the lease and development deal with Hall of Fame Partners, managed by Mario Caprini of Capital Group P3 Developments of Florida in Boca Raton, for the ISHOF at 501 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. is also a partner in the project. The process started in 2020 when the developer submitted an unsolicited P3 proposal to the city.
“The new and improved ISHOF will be a significant complement to our world class Aquatic Center and Dive Tower,” Mayor Dean Trantalis stated.
The aquatic center and dive tower recently underwent a $47 million renovation. The P3 project would feature two buildings on either side of these aquatic center.
The developer anticipates starting the first of three phases of construction in late 2023 and opening the first building in 2025. The Hall of Fame will be relocated to a temporary facility during a portion of the construction.
A new east building will be constructed with a welcome center, ISHOF museum, a café, a surf simulator machine, about 27,000 square feet of office space, and a roof deck. In addition, the new west building would have a museum gift shop, a café, a teaching pool, a parking garage, exhibit spaces, VIP suites, a grandstand to watch diving, an event center, and a rooftop restaurant.
Each building would rise five stories, and the new space would total nearly 331,000 square feet.
“As the swimming and diving capital of the world, Fort Lauderdale is deserving of a crown jewel that can be enjoyed by the best swimmers in the world, our local community, and visitors throughout the year,” stated ISHOF Chairman of the Board Bill Kent.
The ISHOF is slated to induct Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, on Sept. 30.
The estimated costs of the project are $190 million and the city would pay $9.5 million to $11 million per year toward those costs. However, the city’s costs are expected to be offset by revenue generated by the project through the lease with the developer, according to a staff memo. The city would receive half of the revenue from the project.
According to an economic analysis of the project by Business Flare Analytics, the project would have a $292 million economic impact during construction and support 750 jobs upon completion. It would also place a property that was exempt from property taxes on the tax rolls, generating $14 million in property tax revenue for the city, county and school board over 30 years.
The developer is working with Washington, D.C.-based MACQ Holdings, Miami-based architect Arquitectonica and Fort Lauderdale attorneys Jennifer Bales Drake of Becker and Stephanie Toothaker.
Toothaker said the developer has letters of intent in place for almost all of the subtenant spaces in the building, including the restaurants and workspace. She said a three-star Michelin restaurant is interested in the rooftop restaurant on the west building. The site plan will be finalized by the city later.
“This will be a place people will want to go and spend the afternoon,” Toothaker said. “It just elevates our beach.”
Column: Latest International Swimming Hall of Fame Class Celebrates Greatness; 13 Honorees Inducted
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
30 September 2023, 06:33pm
Latest International Swimming Hall of Fame Class Celebrates Greatness
There was always going to be something special about the first class of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The year was 1965, and like any initial induction, the athletes enshrined accounted for a Who’s-Who of the sport. Just a few: Johnny Weissmuller. Dawn Fraser. Duke Kahanamoku. Robert Kiphuth. Gertrude Ederle.
In the five-plus decades since, ISHOF has continued to celebrate the greats of aquatic sports. The yearly induction ceremony in Fort Lauderdale is a special event, one which honors individual excellence, but also recognizes history and offers inspiration for the future. Really, that combination is the essence of all Halls of Fame.
On Saturday night, ISHOF’s latest class – its 58th – was feted at the Parker Playhouse. Those in attendance applauded vociferously and rose to their feet for several standing ovations. For the first time, the event was broadcast by ESPN+, enabling fans, family, and friends to witness the event from around the world.
By definition, any Hall of Fame class is grand. It’s a pinnacle accomplishment in a career, and enshrinement isn’t doled out like a pizza-shop coupon. ISHOF conducts an exhaustive, year-round process is utilized to select each year’s honorees. Eventually, that year’s group of legends is revealed, and they are brought to Southern Florida to receive their due – and place in aquatics history.
As it should be, there is something special about this 2023 class. The career accolades of the 13 individuals recognized would stand strong against any other year. The five swimmers totaled 51 career Olympic medals. But the class, too, has range – athletes from the artistic, Paralympic, diving, governance and water polo worlds all having reached spectacular heights. Arguments can be made that Trischa Zorn (Paralympics) and Natalia Ishchenko (artistic swimming) are the best in history from their respective domains.
Here is a look at the full class of inductees:
Bob Bowman (USA) / Honor CoachChris Carver (USA) / Honor CoachCesar Cielo (BRA) / Honor SwimmerKirsty Coventry (ZIM) / Honor SwimmerMissy Franklin (USA) / Honor SwimmerNatalia Ischenko (RUS) / Honor Synchronized SwimmerKosuke Kitajima (JPN) / Honor SwimmerHeather Petri (USA) / Honor Water Polo PlayerMichael Phelps (USA) / Honor SwimmerWu Minxia (CHN) / Honor DiverSam Ramsamy (RSA) / Honor ContributorStéphane Lecat (FRA) / Honor Open Water SwimmerTrischa Zorn (USA) / Honor Paralympic Swimmer
In Michael Phelps, there is no debate concerning his status as the greatest swimmer his sport has seen. He was a modern-day Moses, moving water like no other. It equated to 28 Olympic medals, 23 of the gold variety. During a career that spanned 2000-2016, Phelps was the undisputed face of the sport. He proved anything was achievable, such as claiming eight gold medals in a single Olympiad, and he served as an inspiration for youngsters dreaming of their own success in the pool.
The fact that Phelps was inducted on a night when his longtime coach, Bob Bowman, also earned enshrinement was only appropriate. It was Bowman who was willing to tell an 11-year-old’s parents that he had the potential for greatness. He then followed that claim by molding Phelps’ career in deliberate and careful fashion.
Photo Courtesy: John Lohn
As she delivered her acceptance speech, six-time Olympic medalist Missy Franklin wore her trademark smile. Franklin will long be remembered for her backstroke and freestyle prowess, her double-gold in the backstroke events at the 2012 Olympics an iconic sweep. Yet, she will also be recalled for what she brought to the sport from a personality standpoint. Franklin’s bubbly, full-of-life demeanor showed that you don’t have to be a robot, or free of verve, to excel. She showed you can also reach the top of the sport with pure joy, and while connecting with a fanbase – something she continues to do today.
Photo Courtesy: John Lohn
Meanwhile, Kirsty Coventry was honored following a career that yielded seven Olympic medals. Who would have thought such a run could be made by an athlete born in Zimbabwe, not exactly a hot bed for swimming. But Coventry found a way, and provided proof that success can come from any locale, as long as belief and hard work click in unison.
The night of Saturday, September 30 is now part of swimming’s history. There are 13 new members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Their stories will resonate in perpetuity, and soon have a place in the new ISHOF museum. Just like that inaugural class from 1965, these athletes will continue to have an impact on the aquatics’ world.
The past, present, and future have again been celebrated, and will forever be intertwined. It’s what a Hall of Fame is all about.
Happy Birthday Joe Ruddy. Sr!!
Joe Ruddy. Sr (USA)
Honor Water Polo (1986)
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1904 gold (water polo); Coach of swimming and water polo for next 50 years; NYAC (New York Athletic Club) teams undefeated, 1930-1939 in both indoor and outdoor US National Championships.
Picking the greatest softball “Tarzan” water polo player is not easy. But picking the greatest “softball” family is a cinch — the remarkable Ruddys of the New York Athletic Club. Joe, Steve, Joe Jr., Ray, Don, Steve and Tom all played outstanding water polo. The “softball” game dominated US play for 40 years before it was finally abandoned in 1945 for the international hardball game. The differences: 1) The ball was partially deflated so you could grab it in one hand; 2) You could hold a player underwater and take the ball underwater; 3) The goal was a backboard instead of a net, and you literally tried to bull your way into the goal.
Joe Sr., (1904) and nephew Steve (1920) made Olympic teams as swimmer and water polo player while Ray, the best swimmer of all the Ruddy’s, made it to three Olympics in 1928, 1932 and 1936. Ray won the President’s Cup Race seven years in a row and was National Long Distance Champion six years. At 15, he was the USA’s youngest Olympian. After Joe’s Olympic gold medal in 1904, he became a player-coach, playing until the age of 50. A practical joker, often called the Milton Berle of the chlorine set, Joe Ruddy’s softball water polo teams at NYAC were undefeated for 10 years (1930-1939 in both indoor and outdoor US National Championships). The roughest of all team sports was finally abandoned after WWII because of the resistance of coaches who did not want their star swimmers hurt and also because it was felt Americans needed to concentrate on the international hardball game to do well in the Olympics. During the 1920s and 1930s, however, when the New York Athletic Club reigned supreme in both swimming and water polo, Joe Ruddy was coach of both. He did some of his best work underwater.
Happy Birthday Lenny Krayzelburg!!
Lenny Krayzelburg (USA)
Honor Swimmer (2011)
FOR THE RECORD: 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4x100m medley, preliminaries); 4 WORLD RECORDS: 1 (50m backstroke), 1 (100m backstroke), 1 (200m backstroke), 1 (4x100m medley); 3 WORLD RECORDS (25m):1 (100m backstroke, 2 (200m backstroke); 1998 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke), silver (4x100m medley); 2000 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (25m): gold (4x100m medley), silver (50m backstroke); 1997 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 1999 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley).
Leonid “Lenny” Krayzelburg was born in Odessa, the Soviet Union. After spending his boyhood years in what is now the Ukraine, his family immigrated to the United States to escape Soviet Jewish anti Semitism and the call of the Soviet army, settling in a Soviet Jewish enclave in Los Angeles. This soft spoken Russian, a product of the Soviet sports system, wanted to continue his swimming in America, training first at the Jewish Community Center and eventually at the University of Southern California and Trojan Swim Club with coaches Bruce Becker at the Westside JCC, Stu Blumkin at Santa Monica College and Mark Schubert at USC.
His first big international meet was the 1997 Fukuoka Pan Pacific Games, where he won three backstroke gold medals. Now at 6 feet 2 inches, 190 pounds, he was destined to become the world’s best backstroke swimmer. At the 1998 Perth World Championship, he won gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke. At the 1999 Sydney Pan Pacific Games he won all gold medals again. At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Lenny became the first Olympic swimmer, since Rick Carey in 1984, to win both the 100 meter and 200 meter backstroke events at the same Olympics. He also led off the 4x100m medley relay gold-medal swim setting the 100m backstroke world record in the process.
Repeated surgeries to his left shoulder did not prevent him from being elected captain of the 2004 US Olympic Team and winning a fourth Olympic gold medal on the 4×100 medley relay team swimming in the prelims.
All totaled, Lenny set five world records, one each in the 50 meter, 100 meter and 200 meter backstroke and two short course records. He was the USA Swimmer of the Year in 1999 and 2000. Lenny’s story is the ultimate success story: the immigrant who came to a new land, worked hard, overcame obstacles and found exactly what he hoped to find, the American Dream. He has opened the LK Swim Academy to teach children to swim and his Foundation helps underprivileged kids to learn to swim.
Happy Birthday Tian Liang!!
Tian Liang (CHN)
Honor Diver (2012)
FOR THE RECORD: 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (10m platform), silver (10m platform synchro); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (10m platform synchro), bronze (10m platform); 1998 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform synchro), silver (10m platform); 2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (10m platform, 10m platform synchro); 2003 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: bronze (10m platform, 10m platform synchro).
Tian Liang began diving at the age of seven. He was very quick to learn and was hard working. He joined the National Team in 1993 at the age of 13. Nicknamed “child prodigy”, he led a new generation of Chinese divers in the 10 meter platform event. His technical style featured a strong explosive force, vigorous movements and agility in execution.
Tian won his first National title in 1994 in the 10 meter platform and claimed his first World Championship in the 10 meter platform synchronized diving event in 1998 as well as the silver medal in the 10 meter platform. It was not until the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 that he realized his dream of winning the Olympic gold medal in the 10 meter platform event, beating favorite Dimity Sautin of Russia and teammate Jia Hu of China. He scored 101.52 points, the most points ever recorded for one dive in Olympic competition. Tian and partner Yang Jinghui won the silver medal in the men’s synchronized 10 meter platform event. In 2004, in Athens he won his second Olympic gold medal in the men’s synchronized diving 10 meter platform event. Individually, he took the bronze medal at those same Games in the 10 meter platform event. In addition to his four Olympic medals, Tian won the gold medal in the 10 meter platform and 10 meter platform synchronized diving events at the 2001 World Championships, and bronze medals in both events at the 2003 World Championships.
But, not since Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe has an Olympic Champion made such an impression in the entertainment industry. Tiang Liang’s acting career is just beginning. Today, his is one of the most recognizable faces in all of China. Recently, Liang starred in Chinese language films including “A Beautiful Life” (2011), the 2010 romance “The Fantastic Water Babies”, “I love Wing Chun” among others. He appeared in music videos with his beautiful and talented wife, Ye Qian, and released an autobiography recalling his brilliant career.
His success in diving and his bright sunny smile made him an adorable sweetheart in media and entertainment circles, but his commercial activities cost him a place on the national team to compete in Beijing. Hundreds of media reporters flocked to get a glimpse of the legendary diver at a press conference held in Beijing. A few months later, he and Ye were married and now have two children.
Happy Birthday Lenore Kight!!
Lenore kight (USA)
Honor Swimmer (1981)
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1932 silver (400m freestyle); 1936 bronze (400m freestyle); WORLD RECORDS: 7; NATIONAL AAU Titles: 23; AMERICAN RECORDS: 24; Placed first in 1937 Toronto C.N.E. marathon swim.
Lenore Kight (Wingard) had the distinction of finishing second to Helene Madison just as Istvan Barany was second to Johnny Weissmuller and John Nelson to Don Schollander. There is a distinction between being touched out by one tenth of a second in the Olympic games in World Record time set by an all-time great and just finishing second. Lenore medaled in two Olympics, held seven World Records, won 23 U.S. Nationals, set 24 American Records and won the 440 and 1 mile National AAU freestyle 4 years in a row. In 1933 she won every U.S. AAU National Championship possible in the crawl stroke. She finished her remarkable career by turning pro to win the Toronto Canadian Exhibition “World Championship” marathon. So Helene Madison did catch the tail of the “Kight” early in Lenore’s career but almost no one else ever did.
Happy Birthday Dick Roth!!
Dick Roth (USA)
Honor Swimmer (1987)
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1964 gold (400m individual medley); WORLD RECORDS: 2 (400m individual medley); AAU NATIONALS: 11 (200m, 400m individual medley; 1 relay); NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (200yd, 400yd individual medley; 1 relay); AMERICAN RECORDS: 12 (200yd, 400yd, 200m, 400m individual medley; 5 relays).
The 1964 Tokyo Olympics final in the 400 meter individual medley looked like an Army sick call with almost as many doctors as coaches hovering around the swimmers. Dick Roth, the world record holder, certainly had a good excuse for not swimming. On the night before the race, Dick had his appendix in ice packs and was told he must have an emergency operation. “No!” said Roth. “I’m not missing the Olympic final no matter what happens.” Former world record holder Gerhard Hetz of Germany had pneumonia, and Roy Saari (USA) had a very heavy cold that was causing him to have a sub par Olympics. They all swam. “I forgot my hot appendix during the race,” said Roth. He won the 400 IM setting a new Olympic and world record with Saari second and Hetz third. The five healthy finalists finishing behind.
Dick Roth’s world record lasted four years. He set seven American records between 1963 and 1967 during a period when the 200 meter individual medley was not recognized as a world record. This Santa Clara and Stanford swimmer won 12 nationals in his all stroke specialty as well as making the finals in backstroke and swimming on seven national relay winners for coaches George Haines and Jim Gaughran. His size 13 feet were too big for Japanese shoes and lots of swimmers could beat him at one of the individual strokes, but put the four in the pool together and versatile Dick Roth was King Richard of the I.M. for five years.
Happy Birthday Gary Hall Jr.!!
Gary Hall Jr. (USA)
Honor Swimmer (2013)
FOR THE RECORD: 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley), silver (50m freestyle, 100m freestyle); 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (50m freestyle, 4x100m medley), silver (4x100m freestyle), bronze (100m freestyle); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (50m freestyle), bronze (4x100m freestyle); 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley), silver (50m freestyle, 100m freestyle); 1998 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m freestyle), silver (4x100m medley); 1995 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (4x100m freestyle); 2003 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: bronze (50m freestyle); 1995 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley); 1999 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: silver (50m freestyle); FIVE U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1-50y freestyle, 1-100y freestyle, 2-50m freestyle, 1-100m freestyle.
As a two year old, his dad carried him on to the pool deck of the Montreal Olympic swim stadium. Five years later, he was in Fort Lauderdale to see his dad’s induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Gary Hall, Jr. learned to swim at age three, but didn’t start competitively until he was 16. He grew to be six feet six inches tall, weighing 218 pounds and became known not only for his pre-race antics but for being one of the world’s fastest swimmers.
His Olympic career began in 1996 with two gold medals in the 4×100 meter freestyle and medley relays and two individual silver medals in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle, only .13 seconds behind Russia’s Alexander Popov in the 50 and .07 seconds in the 100.
Then, in March of 1999, he was diagnosed with type one diabetes. Doctors initially told him that his Olympic career was over. However, after consulting with Dr. Anne Peters Harmel, he resumed training for the Sydney Games in a new way. In addition to checking his insulin levels up to ten times a day, Gary and his Dad started the Race Club, a club concept for elite athletes in 2002. Training under coach Mike Bottom during this time in Islamorada, Florida, Gary went on to tie for the individual gold medal in the 50 meter freestyle with fellow American Anthony Ervin. He also won a bronze in the 100 meter freestyle along with gold and silver medals in the relays.
Four years later at the age of 29, the oldest American Olympic swimmer since Duke Kahanamoku in 1924, he capped off his Olympic career in Athens by standing on top of the 50 meter freestyle podium alone as Olympic champion.
Gary has ten Olympic medals to his name and joins his father as the only father and son duo to each win Olympic medals in three Olympic Games.
Gary’s relaxed ability to accept challenges head-on and conquer them is what won him countless awards and fans. His fans were always on the edge of their seats to see how he would emerge and perform in his next race. By achieving his dreams despite health challenges, he has been a great inspiration to the millions of people living with diabetes and would personally return calls, no matter the hour.