PVS at the 2009 USAS Convention
Chicago, IL
September 16-20, 2009
The following are some highlights of the 2009 United States
Aquatic Sports (USAS) Convention in Chicago, IL. These are the thoughts
and recollections of one member of the PVS delegation.
On Thursday, September 17 at the Diversity Workshop, Arthur Lopez, from Nadar Por Vida presented an award to the USA Swimming Executive Director, Chuck Wielgus for his leadership in the area of diversity in swimming.
Arthur Lopez presents award to Chuck Weilgus
At the House of Delegates Meeting on Friday evening, September 18, Arthur was presented with the USA Swimming Diversity Inclusion Award. Past winners or this award were Jim Ellis and Cullen Jones.
Diversity Inclusion Award Winner Arthur Lopez
Also at the House of Delegates Meeting, USA Swimming President Jim Wood presented a Life Membership to John Hirschmann on behalf of PVS. This award is in recognition of work John has done for PVS in every aspect of the operation of the LSC over many years.
New USA Swimming Life Member John Hirschmann
USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Weilgus gave the State of the Sport speech. He highlighted an 11% membership increase this year and the successes of the USA Swimming Foundation.
At the House of Delegates Meeting on Saturday, September 19, USA Swimming President Jim Wood gave the President's Address. Swimming was becoming more popular and well known, he said, as evidenced by the "Shaq vs. Phelps" TV program and Natalie Coughlin on "Dancing with the Stars". He touted the United States success at the 2009 World Championships in Rome, and announced that the 2012 Olympic Trials would be returning to Omaha, Nebraksa.
Among the other Awards given out by USA Swimming at the convention, Ryan Lochte was named Athlete of the Year. Michael Phelps won the award for the Performance of the Year for his world-record setting win in the 100M Butterfly at the World Championships.
You can read a copy of the final legislation passed by the House of Delegates.