YOUR CHANCE TO MEET 9 OLYMPIANS
Saturday May 10th the Swim to Win Foundation and the Family YMCA of the Desert is hosting "Just Add Swim" day at the Palm Desert Aquatics Center. 8 Olympians will be offering Swim Instruction, signing autographs, and providing information about aquatics from 9 am to 5pm FREE OF CHARGE.
The goal of the event is to increase water safety awareness and encourage more people to be involved in aquatic sports. The in water lessons being done by Olympians are focusing on lifesaving and beginner swimming skills, but anyone can sign up. We encourage all Piranhas to participate and would like all Piranha swimmers and parents at the opening ceremonies at 9am. If you'd like to get in the water with an Olympian, you must pre register by calling 760 567-7467. Even if you do not get in the water, come by the pool at anytime to meet and get an autograph from some of the best swimmers in the world. The 8 Olympians have 18 Olympic appearances between them and have won over 20 Olympic medals. 6 of the 8 spent a significant amount of time training right here in Southern California.
In addition to the exciting event, 5 people will get the opportunity to race an Olympian of their choice. Two will be selected by Silent Auction open to anyone (email [email protected] for info). The other three spots will be selelcted by raffle based on Splash For Cash Earnings (specifics have been emailed to our members).
The 9 Olympians attending:
Jason Lezak: 4 time Olympian, 5 time medal winner, former World Record Holder, and famous anchor leg of the 2008 4x100 Free relay seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxy920Nd7yY Has competed for the Irvine Novas, Rose Bowl Aquatics, and UC Santa Barbara.
Rowdy Gaines: Qualified for 2 Olympics, won 3 Gold medals in 84, former world record holder, current Masters World Record holder, NCAA Champion, and presently the voice of Swimming as the Telelvision analyst for ESPN and NBC swimming coverage.
Janet Evans: 3 time Olympian that has won 5 medals, former longest standing World records in the 400, 800, and 1500 free. Grew up swimming in Fullerton for FAST at the pool that is now named after her.
Aaron Peirsol: 3 time Olympian and current World record holder in the 100 and 200 back. Won his first Olympic medal at the age of 17 training with Irvine Novas. NCAA Champion and All American at Univ. Texas.
Chloe Sutton: 2 time Olympian, first American to swim in both Open Water and the Pool at the Olympic Games, qualified for both Olympics as a member of the Mission Viejo Nadadores and Coach BIll Rose. Still swimming today.
Brian Goodell: 1976 Olympian and gold medal winner in the 400 and 1500 free, also set world records in both. Swim for the Mission Viejo Nadadores and UCLA, International Swimming Hall of Fame member.
Kaitlin Sandeno: Won 4 medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. Grew up swimming here in SoCal for the Nellie Gail Gators in Orange County, later won numerous NCAA individual titles at USC.
Rada Owen: Member of the 2000 Olympic team,, 14 time All American and member of the NCAA Champion Auburn Tigers swim team, today coaches Masters in Southern California.
JUST ADDED THE PIRANHAS OWN OLYMPIAN LYNETTE LIM: Lynette is a Palm Springs High School alum, High School All American, NCAA All American at USC, and two time Olympian for the country of Singapore.
