Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at the International Swimming Hall of Fame
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Which Harry Potter House does your Team Belong to? WIN A GIFT CARD!
It seems no matter what your age, we all LOVE HARRY POTTER.
If you swam at Hogwarts which house would your swim team be in? GRYFFINDOR, HUFFLEPUFF, RAVENCLAW, or SLYTHERIN?
If YOU had to choose a House for YOUR TEAM, which would it be?
Post your answer (one of the Houses) and the name of your real team in the comments and if we pick your answer, you will win a $25 gift card from ISHOF gift shop. You MUST also LIKE our post.
Winner to be selected December 1, 2025.
Fort Lauderdale Diving Team Members, Hayden Ferenc and West Pocker capture State Diving Titles
The International Swimming Hall of Fame would like to congratulate Fort Lauderdale Diving Team Members, Hayden Ferenc and West Pocker on winning the 3A State Championship Diving titles! 🥇🥇 The meet was held recently in Ocala, and both divers took the titles in the 1-meter diving events. Hayden and Wes are both members of the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team, but competing in the 3A Florida State High School meet, they represented Fort Lauderdale High School, The Flying L’s.
Congratulation to all the Fort Lauderdale swimmers and divers on their performances at the State High School Meet. 💦
#FtLauderdaleDivingTeam #CityofFortLauderdale #USASwimming #CityofFortLauderdaleParksandRecreation #Flying L’s Athletics #ISHOF #EveryChildASwimmer #WorldAquatics #USADiving
Fab Five: The Athletes Who Captured World Titles in Singapore and Swept the World Cup Tour
by Elisabeth Grigoriadou, Swimming World Magazine
Fab Five: The Athletes Who Captured World Titles in Singapore and Swept the World Cup Tour
The 2025 season has given the world of swimming incredible races, times and duels from which a handful of swimmers managed to record undefeated runs between the World Championships last summer in Singapore, and the recent World Cup circuit in North America. Here are the five athletes who claimed a gold medal in an individual event at the World Champs, and then swept the discipline at all stops of the World Cup Tour.
Hubert Kos
The Hungarian star and reigning Olympic champion in the 200 backstroke is part of Bob Bowman’s elite training group at the University of Texas. After claiming the world title in the 200 backstroke again, after initially winning in 2023, Kos went undefeated in all three backstroke events at the World Cup, and set short-course world records in the 100 and 200 distances.
Mollie O’Callaghan
After winning the world title for the first time in Fukuoka in 2023, the Australian followed with an Olympic crown in the 200 freestyle and another world championship in Singapore. But the 21-year-old wasn’t quite sure how fast she could perform in the short-course pool. Well, she provided an impressive answer, as she set two world records during the World Cup and swept the event’s three stops
Gretchen Walsh
The 2025 season has gotten better and better for Walsh with each passing month. In long course, she broke two world records before the World Championships, and then she won her first ever world titles in the 50 and 100 butterfly in Singapore. Afterward, she turned her focus to her short-course excellence and the results were as everyone expected. Walsh was dominant at the World Cup, with sweeps arriving easily in both butterfly events.
Kaylee McKeown
The Australian superstar, who has won back-to-back Olympic crowns in both backstroke events, captured the 200 backstroke title at the Singapore World Champs. At the World Cup, the two stops featured spectacular duels with American Regan Smith, and McKeown staying unbeaten with world records at the last two legs.
Kate Douglass
The American backed up her Olympic gold medal in the 200 breaststroke with a world championship in the event in Singapore, and she blasted the competition at all three World Cup meets. While Douglass was unbeaten in the 200 breaststroke between the World Champs and World Cup, her world-record efforts in the 100 freestyle actually highlighted the North American racing she logged.
All Future Hall of Fames?!?
Brian Goodell vs. Vladimir Salnikov: ‘The Duel We Missed’ Receiving Academy Award Consideration
by John Lohn – Editor-in-Chief
21 November 2025
Brian Goodell vs. Vladimir Salnikov: ‘The Duel We Missed’ Documentary Receiving Academy Award Consideration
Documentary films, at their core, take a deep dive into a specific topic. They are detailed. They offer emotion. They introduce engaging characters and storylines. They take the viewer behind a curtain, often revealing elements of a tale that were never before presented, or might have gone overlooked.
“The Duel We Missed” checks those boxes.
Under consideration by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a potential Oscar nomination in the documentary category, “The Duel We Missed” thoroughly and emotionally examines a tantalizing showdown that never materialized in the sport of swimming. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the United States’ Brian Goodell and the Soviet Union’s Vladimir Salnikov were the premier distance-freestyle swimmers in the world, and a clash between the men was expected at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.
However, due to political interference, a duel between Goodell and Salnikov – with both men at the peak of their powers – was left to the imagination. “The Duel We Missed” delves deeply into the careers of Goodell and Salnikov, and their shared chase to become the first athlete in history to swim the 1500-meter freestyle in under 15 minutes. The documentary, produced by Bravo Films and directed by Ilnur Rafikov and Edward Staroselsky, also examines several complementary storylines – the political influence and boycotts of the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, athlete mentality, training of the era and the respect developed among individuals with like-minded goals.
At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where the United States men won all but one gold medal in the 13 events contested, Goodell stormed to victory in the 400 and 1500 freestyle events, world records established in both. In the 1500 freestyle, Goodell was timed in 15:02.40, not far off the 15-minute barrier that was a target. Salnikov, a rising 16-year-old at the time, was fifth in the Montreal final, and while he finished off the podium, his prodigious talent suggested big things to come, including a rivalry with Goodell.
However, in the years ahead, multiple factors prevented Goodell and Salnikov from meeting while the men were at the top of their prowess. Goodell missed the 1978 World Championships, where Salnikov won gold medals in the 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle, the longer event not far off Goodell’s world record. And as the 1980 Olympics neared, a hammer dropped on a potential duel in Moscow when U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced the United States would boycott the Games due to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
Through the use of current-day interviews, highlighted by Goodell and Salnikov, “The Duel We Missed” takes both a wide-ranging and topic-specific look at the era. The feelings of Goodell and Salnikov were repeatedly shared, and their status in the sport was examined, including through the lens of Hall of Fame coach Mark Schubert, who was the mentor of Goodell. Also weighing in were Olympians John Naber and Rowdy Gaines, each sharing a perspective. Naber won three gold medals during his Team USA days and transitioned into a broadcasting career, which allowed him to interact with Salnikov and hear the Soviet star state that he was not a “true champion” without competing in a fully attended Olympic Games.
As for Gaines, now known as the Voice of Swimming for his work with NBC Sports, he provided personal stories about how the boycott impacted his life and career. Ultimately, Gaines returned to training after a brief retirement and won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and he spoke about seeing his dream through. Yet, Gaines also poignantly discussed the heartache of the Olympic hopefuls who did not get their chance on the biggest stage in sports.
Vladimir Salnikov. Photo Courtesy: Dutch National Archives
The documentary, which was perfectly organized, spanned 1976-1988, as it examined Salnikov dealing with the Soviet Union’s retaliatory boycott of the 1984 Games and his triumphant return to win gold in the 1500 freestyle at the 1988 Games in Seoul. The film also provided footage of Salnikov cracking the 15-minute barrier for the first time, an accomplishment that will live on as a distinguished achievement in the sport.
Among other standout moments from the documentary:
Footage and interviews from a Soviet Union trip to the United States which allowed for training under Schubert’s guidance. The memories shared from this time were genuine and both illustrated respect among athletes, and how the Soviet Union learned about the intensity of Schubert’s workouts in Mission Viejo, California.
Schubert, in this current era, telling Goodell that he wished he had not retired following the boycott, and Goodell stating that he had a few reservations about his decision as the 1984 Games neared.
The playing of the Soviet national anthem following Salnikov’s victory at the 1988 Olympics, one of the final times the anthem was played before the breakup of the USSR. More, the story of Salnikov being lauded by his fellow athletes in the dining hall in Seoul on the night of his 1500 freestyle victory elicited goosebumps, and emphasized the appreciation Olympians share for each other.
The illustrations and graphics used during the documentary were sensational, providing the feel of a comic book and celebrating the individuals and moments featured.
The emotion expressed throughout the 90-minute documentary was tremendous. Tears flowed. Words were sometimes difficult to find. Admiration was constantly evident.
A phone call late in the film between Goodell, Schubert and Salnikov was a wonderful touch, and further emphasized the respect that permeated the film and the careers of all three men.
“The Duel We Missed” is an extraordinary film, exactly what a special documentary should be. Years of work, research and interviews went into making this film and bringing the story of Goodell and Salnikov to viewers. Swim fans, especially those with an understanding of the rich history of the sport, will appreciate it. But casual viewers will also find themselves engaged, enraptured by a story that has emotion, intensity, goal-chasing and more.
Sadly, a showdown between Brian Goodell and Vladimir Salnikov in their prime was missed. But “The Duel We Missed” pays beautiful homage to the athletes and the era, and what might have been.
Dive into Purpose: A Roundtable on Strategic Philanthropy ~
Tuesday night, November 18, 2025, ISHOF Executive Committee member, Matt McKean of Fiduciary Trust International, hosted “Dive Into Purpose: A Roundtable on Strategic Philanthropy“, at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, home to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Featured Speakers included Matt McKean, Moderator and Wealth Director, Fiduciary Trust International; Abby Axelrod-Wunderman, CAP, Philanthropic Director, Family Office Services, Foundations & Endowments, Fiduciary Trust International; Lauren Ferguson, Executive Director, the Dan Marino Foundation; Nicklaus Children’s Hospital; Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., President & CEO, Community Foundation of Broward; Casey McGovern, Executive Director, Every Child A Swimmer; and Stacey Hoaglund, President, Autism Society Florida.
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The evening focused on meaningful conversations about community impact, strategic partnerships, and expanding access to life-saving resources for children and families. Hearing these organizations share their commitment to creating safer, healthier futures reminds us why all of these missions matter.
Thank you to the partners and fellow advocates for an inspiring night. A special thank you to Fiduciary Trust International and Mr. Matt McKean, who worked so hard to make this evening possible. Our goal at ECAS is to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn to swim safely.
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#ISHOF EveryChildASwimmer #WaterSafety #CommunityImpact #DrowningPrevention #StrategicPlanning #FiduciaryTrustInternational #DanMarinoFoundation #AutismSocietyFlorida #CommunityFoundationofBroward #NicklaudChildrensHospital #World Aquatics #CityofFortLauderdale
November is Child Safety Protection Month~ What better way to protect than “Every Child A Swimmer!”
With November being Child Safety Protection Month, one of the best ways to protect our children, is making sure they are water safe, and that means knowing how to swim! The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)’s spiritual mission is “Every Child A Swimmer”, where we are fighting to ensure that every child has access to swim lessons, no matter their economic status.
“Imagine a world without drowning, by Raising Awareness for water safety, advocating for legislation for water safety, and providing financial resources for swimming lessons for families that cannot afford them.“
To learn more about Every Child A Swimmer Program, Click here: https://everychildaswimmer.org/about/
or if you would like to donate to ECAS Program, Click here: https://everychildaswimmer.org/donate/
Celebrating the birth of Honoree Mercedes Gleitze – 125 Years with the film, Vindication Swim!
Today we honor the pioneering swimmer who, in 1927, became the first British woman to conquer the English Channel. When another swimmer’s fraudulent crossing cast doubt on her achievement, Mercedes returned for a perilous “vindication swim” to reclaim her legacy.
Her courage didn’t stop there. She went on to swim oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world, becoming the first person to accomplish many historic feats. From the Strait of Gibraltar to the treacherous stretch between Robben Island and Cape Town. In recognition of her extraordinary achievements, Mercedes was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2014 as an Honor Pioneer Open Water Swimmer.
A true story of endurance, determination, and grit, her life is brought to the screen in the acclaimed film Vindication Swim, releasing today on digital and DVD across North America. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Elliott Hasler, the film was shot in the English Channel itself over three years, with lead actress Kirsten Callaghan performing all the swimming, capturing the very spirit that made Mercedes a legend.
Dive into history with Vindication Swim and celebrate a true icon of the sport!
Michelle Ford, David Theile, Sir Frank Beaurepaire and Matthew Cowdrey Inducted Into Swimming Australia Hall Of Fame
MOSCOW GOLDEN GIRL: Michelle Ford’s magical Moscow gold in the 800m freestyle. Photo Russ McPhedran (Michelle Ford Collection)
by Ian Hanson – Oceania Correspondent
15 November 2025
Michelle Ford, David Theile, Sir Frank Beaurepaire and Matthew Cowdrey Inducted Into Swimming Australia Hall Of Fame
Olympic gold medallists Michelle Ford and David Theile, prolific Paralympic gold medallist Matthew Cowdrey and six time Olympic medallist Sir Frank Beaurepaire have been inducted into the Swimming Australia Hall of Fame.
The 2025 Swimming Australia Awards yesterday celebrated the latest Hall of Fame inductees, recognising the extraordinary achievements of four legends of Australian Swimming.
Beaurepaire (Dolphin #3), arguably the greatest freestyler across three decades, breaking 14 world records; Cowdrey (Dolphin #P224) Australia’s most successful Paralympian with 13 gold medals across three Para Games; Australia’s first two-time back-to-back Olympic gold medal winning backstroker Theile (Dolphin #103) and Australia’s only individual Olympic gold medallist from the 1980 Moscoe Games in Michelle Ford (Dolphin #254) –
The foursome joining a who’s who of the sport – initial inductees Freddie Lane, Fanny Durack, Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould and Ian Thorpe (2022); Lorraine Crapp, Murray Rose, Suzie O’Neill (2023) and Boy Charlton, Pfriya Cooper and Kieren Perkins (2024).
DAVID THEILE AO
Born: January 17, 1938
For the record (Olympic Games):
Melbourne (1956): Gold (100m backstroke);Rome (1960): Gold (100m backstroke), silver (4x100m medley relay);Queensland and Australian Junior Champion: 1947Australian Champion: 1955.Australian Records: 1955 (100m Backstroke).
BACK-TO-BACK: Australia’d David Theile wins his second Olympic 100m backstroke gold in Rome. Pic tired with US silver medallist Frank McKinney (left) and bronze medallist Bob Bennett.Phoyo Courtesy Wikipedia.
2025 Hall Of Fame David Theile Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia
At the 1960 Rome Olympics, David became the only swimmer other than a freestyler to win gold medals in two successive Olympics since World War II, winning back-to-back 100m backstroke gold medals in both the 1956 Melbourne home Olympics and 1960 Olympic Games.
He began competitive swimming aged nine and became the Queensland and Australian Junior backstroke Champion at 16, before beginning a five-year reign as the Australian open champion in 1955, at 17.
When Thiele set the Australian 100m backstroke record at 1:07.4 in 1955, he broke a 17-year-old record set in the year he was born – 1938, (1:07.8 by Percy Oliver).
Thiele won the 100m backstroke crown at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in world and Olympic record time, 1:02.2. In Rome four years later, he lowered his Olympic record to 1:01.9 for a second gold medal and was part of the Australian silver medal medley relay.
Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame: 1985
Inducted into International Swimming Hall Of Fame: 1968
SIR FRANK BEAUREPAIRE
Born: May 13, 1891; Died: May 29, 1956; Age: 65
For the record (Olympic Games): London (1908) Silver, 400m freestyle; bronze, 1500m freestyle; Antwerp (1920) Silver, 4x200m freestyle relay); bronze, 1500m freestyle); Paris (1924): Silver (4x200m freestyle relay; bronze, 1500m freestyle.World Records (14): 200m, 500m, 1000m, 1 mile freestyle);
FREESTYLE LEGEND: Sr Frank Beaurepaire.Photo Courtesy Herald Sun.
Often recognised as the greatest swimmer across several eras in the early 1920s, Frank Beaurepaire swam the trudgen stroke in a competitive career that lasted from 1903 to 1924. Winning a total of six Olympic medals, – three silver and three bronze – across three Olympics (1908, 1929, 1924) a span of 16 years. The last – a second bronze in the 1500m behind Australian gold medallist Andrew “Boy” Charlton in Paris, 1924. Beaurepaire was 33.
In a remarkable career, Beaurepaire set five world records from 200m to 500m in 1910, his best year, but was still setting records 11 years later, this time in the 1000m and the mile. In 1910 he toured Europe undefeated.
In all he set 15 world records over a 13-year span, winning 34 Australian titles, 79 Victorian titles and 11 British Championships.
Beaurepaire or “Bogey” as he was known, won more than 200 first class swimming championships and his fastest times were done when he was past 30 and his career could have seen him achieve so much more. He was banned from the 1912 Games for earning money as a swimming teacher, robbing him of further honours, returning to the Olympic stage again in 1920 and 1924.
Beaurepaire became Melbourne’s Lord Mayor and was a principal organizer of the 1956 Olympics. He died of a heart attack in a barber shop in the middle of a typically full day in May 1956, just 5 months before “his” Olympic Games.
Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame and Inducted into International Swimming Hall Of Fame in 1967
MICHELLE FORD-ERIKSSON MBE
Born: July 15, 1962
For the record….
Olympic Games: Moscow (1980) Gold, 800m Freestyle; bronze, 200m Butterfly); Two World Records (800m freestyle)
Commonwealth Games: Edmonton (1978): Gold, 200m butterfly; silver 400m and 800m freestyle; bronze, 200m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay);
Brisbane (1982): Gold, 200m Butterfly; silver, 800m freestyle, Won Four Australian National Championships in the 200m butterfly
THRILLED: Michelle Ford on the gold medal podium. Photo Courtesy Russ McPhedran (Michelle Ford Collection)
2025 HALL OF FAME Michelle Ford Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia.
At age 13 Michelle broke nine records, six NSW State and three Australian – all in three days. Two of those records were by held by Hall of Famer Shane Gould and world champion Jenny Turrall.
That same year she earned a spot on the 1976 Olympic team, the second youngest Australian ever to do so.
Just one year later, Michelle set her first world record in the 800 freestyle. Little did she know her times in the 800 freestyle would someday beat the times swum earlier by the immortal Murray Rose and John Konrads.
Michelle continued her winning streak at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, taking a gold in the 200 butterfly, two silvers in the 400 and 800m freestyle and two bronze medals in the 200 freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay.
But Michelle Ford’s greatest feat came in the boycotted Moscow 1980 Olympics under extraordinary circumstances following Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan.
Winning the gold medal in the 800 freestyle and conquering the might and power of her East German opponents adding bronze in the 200 butterfly.
A Games that became shrouded in a political firestorm following demands from the Australian government to boycott the Games.
But a defiant Olympic team that left Australian shores in 1980 under a cloak of darkness, heading off to secret training camps receiving death threats and branded as traitors as they prepared for the Games.
Their blazers hidden in their luggage with a coat of arms tucked away rather than sitting proudly on their chests, many of them teenagers, like Michelle Ford, thrust into the middle of a political stoush that would define their sporting futures – but remaining unrecognised by the Australian Government for 50 years.
“Competing in the Olympics helped define everything I am today,” said Ford who that year was named Amateur Athlete of the Year.
Her name etched in gold in Moscow as an Australian woman did not win another Olympic gold in swimming for 16 years – when Susie O’Neill triumphed the 200m butterfly in Atlanta in 1996.
Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame: 1985; Inducted into International Swimming Hall Of Fame: 1994
MATT COWDREY OAM MP
Born: December 28, 1988
For the record (Paralympic Games): Athens (2004): 3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze; Beijing (2008): 5 gold, 3 silver; London (2012): 5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Commonwealth Games (3) Melbourne (2006): 2 gold; New Delhi (2010): 1 gold; Glasgow (2014): 1 silver
Inducted into Sport Australia Hall Of Fame: 2019
SIMPLY TGHE BEST: Matthew Cordrey. Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia
Born with a congenital amputation of his lower arm, Matthew Cowdrey clinched his first Paralympic gold medal as a 15-year-old at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games which launched his decade-long domination in the pool.
Growing into one of the most influential athletes within the Australian Paralympic movement by the time he retired.
In addition to his 23 Paralympic medals (13 gold, seven silver, three bronze), he won 21 medals at three World Championships (16 gold, three silver, two bronze), and broke dozens of world records – his first at just 13.
During Matthew’s prolific eleven-year para-swimming career, his tremendous talent saw him develop into an influential athlete who played an instrumental role in raising awareness of the Paralympic movement within Australia.
His strength in the 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley events earned him 57 international medals including 23 world championship and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.
By his retirement at the age of 26-years-old, Cowdrey had become the most decorated Australian Paralympian in history, with a total of 23 Paralympic medals including 13 gold across three Paralympic Games.
He left para-swimming holding five world records, five Paralympic records and nine short-course world records.
Matthew retired in 2015 at just 26 years old, but even at such a young age, stood as the most prolific Australian Paralympian in history, having won a total of 23 Paralympic medals including 13 gold.
Matt was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (2005), Australian Paralympian of the Year (2008) and Young South Australian of the Year (2009).
He also established a notable career since the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where he eclipsed Paralympic runner Tim Sullivan’s record of 10 gold medals. Today, Cowdrey is a Member of Parliament for Colton, SA.
2025 Hall Of Fame Matt Cowdrey Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia
Fort Lauderdale Open Returns in 2026 With Star-Studded Lineup of Elite Teams
Article reshared Courtesy of SwimSwam
With the Pro Swim Series not heading to Fort Lauderdale next year, the city returns the Fort Lauderdale Open in 2026 with a loaded field committed to race. Current photo via Swim Fort Lauderdale.
by SwimSwam
November 12th, 2025
Editor Update: University of Texas and pros will race at this meet.
The Fort Lauderdale Open is set to return in 2026 with one of the most loaded fields in meet history. The event will run April 29 through May 2 at the iconic Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, hosted by Swim Fort Lauderdale, the City of Fort Lauderdale, and Visit Lauderdale.
Last year’s edition of the meet delivered fireworks — two world records fell in one day. Katie Ledecky shattered the women’s 800-meter freestyle world record, and Gretchen Walsh broke the women’s 100-meter butterfly world record twice in a single day, first in prelims and then again in finals. With that kind of precedent, expectations for 2026 are sky-high.
The field reflects it. Some of the most powerful collegiate and club programs in the country have committed to compete, including:
University of Florida
University of Virginia
University of Texas & Pros
NC State University
Ohio State University
Auburn University
Princeton University
Arizona State University
Bolles School Sharks
SwimMAC Carolina
Nashville Aquatic Club
Sarasota Sharks
Meet Schedule
Wednesday, April 29: 1500 freestyle (timed finals)
Thursday, April 30: Prelims & Finals
Friday, May 1: Prelims & Finals
Saturday, May 2: Prelims & Finals + 800 freestyle timed finals
Meet Entries
January 27, 2026: Online Meet Entries Open
The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center continues to establish itself as a cornerstone of elite-level racing in the U.S., a venue that blends its rich swimming history with a world-class renovation and fast, reliable water.
With this kind of lineup and a proven record of producing historic performances, the 2026 Fort Lauderdale Open promises to be one of the premier meets of the year.
Courtesy of the Fort Lauderdale Open