Sept. 29, 2008

ATLANTA - USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus addressed nearly 600 delegates from USA Swimming clubs across the nation today. Wielgus gave his annual State of the Sport Report, entitled, A Time to Celebrate; A Time to Reflect; A Time to Look Ahead. In the speech, Wielgus celebrated the recent successes at the Olympic Games and Olympic Trials, reported on new and continuing growth and promotional efforts, and listed five main priorities for the upcoming quadrennium.

According to Wielgus, USA Swimming's five main organizational priorities are as follow:

*Increase membership by at least 20% by 2012.

*Seek to increase positive public recognition of our sport, attract new corporate and organizational partners, and increase USA Swimming's revenues and net worth.

*Win more gold medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games than were won at the Beijing Olympic Games.

*Improve the effectiveness of USA Swimming's 59 Local Swimming Committees in providing programs and services to the athletes, coaches, officials and clubs in their area.

*Support the USA Swimming Foundation.

After recapping the summer's highlights, Wielgus shared the impact of the Olympic Games on USA Swimming Clubs nationwide. Among his examples:

*In Mount Laurel, N.J., enrollment in the learn-to-swim program has more than doubled.

*In Chicago, the Lyons Swim Club has seen a 28% increase in team size since August 1.

*In Farmington, N.M. the Four Corners Aquatic team has grown by 40%.

President Jim Wood was elected to a second term in today's elections. Wood first took office at the 2006 USAS Convention. In his President's Address, Wood shared some of USA Swimming's' key successes of the past year, and used his speech to thank many key volunteers and Board Members. In addition, Wood praised the new partnerships formed between USA Swimming and allies including the YMCA, USOC and NCAA.

The full transcripts for both Wielgus' State of the Sport Report and Wood's President's Address can be found online.

Contact: Jamie Fabos Olsen (719-235-8051 cell) jolsen@usaswimming.org)