Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) has probably done more for the sport of open water swimming than anyone else. He has served is all aspects of the sport: as an athlete, coach, and race director, but Sid’s greatest influence in the sport has been achieved as the result of his work as chairman of the FINA/WA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee, where he had oversight of the FINA 10 km Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit, the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix series and the FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships. Under his leadership, marathon swimming was added to the Olympic program at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics. He was the official starter of the first Olympic 10 km Marathon Swim at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has helped standardize and professionalize the judging and staging of marathon swims around the world.
He coached and swam on a record-setting double-crossing of the English Channel by the USA Swimming National Team in 1990. He served as the USA Swimming National Open Water Coach for five years, was race director for six international marathon swims and the FINA Open Water World Cup events at Atlantic City, USA. Cassidy continues his role in reviewing and promoting the sport and its rules and regulations and being a strong voice and leader for open water swimming in America. As the sport grows, his leadership in educating referees and officials on how to correctly and consistently interpret the rules during competition will be especially important and appreciated.
As a swimmer, Sid Cassidy was ranked fourth as a professional marathon swimmer in 1979. He swam several 36 km (22.5-mile) Around-the-Island Marathon Swims in Atlantic City, USA and competed in professional marathon races in Chicago, Canada and Egypt. Sid won the highest honor from USA Swimming, the prestigious USA Swimming Award, which is given annually to an individual or organization with the most outstanding contribution to the sport of swimming. He received the Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2020 and was inducted as an Honor Administrator into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005. He was the 1996 recipient of the Glen S. Hummer Award, an award given to the individual who makes the greatest contribution to Open Water Swimming in the United States and was inducted in the North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame, Class of 2020.
Learn more about Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy and the other 12 outstanding Honorees who will be inducted this year at ISHOF’s 61st Honoree Induction Ceremony Buy your tickets NOW for ISHOF’s 61st Anniversary of the Honoree Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the World Aquatics High Dive World Cup
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2026
WHERE: Embassy Suites 17th St. 1100 S. E. 17th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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ISHOF Class of 2026
Nathan Adrian (USA) Honor Swimmer
Laszlo Cseh (HUN) Honor Swimmer
Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) Honor Swimmer
Ryan Lochte (USA) Honor Swimmer (Class of 2025)
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Open Water Swimmer
Tania Cagnotto (ITA) Honor Diver
Simone Fountain (AUS) Honor Water Polo Player
Heather Simon Carassco (USA) Honor Artistic Swimmer
Jane Figueiredo (ZIM) Honor Coach
Gregg Troy (USA) Honor Coach (Class of 2025)
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy (USA) Honor Contributor
Richard Burns (USA) Honor Masters Swimmer
Beatrice Hess (FRA) Honor Paralympic Swimmer
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