Michael Phelps, Milorad Cavic

 Launch Fundraising Program

at ISHOF's 46^th Annual

The 46^th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, attracted nearly 500 attendees from around the world.  Swimming legends Donna deVarona and Rowdy Gaines served as masters of the ceremony.  Among the inductees was world-renown marine artist and conservationist, Dr. Guy Harvey, who received ISHOF's most distinguished honor, the Gold Medallion.  The Gold Medallion is awarded to former competitive swimmers who has achieved international recognition in fields outside of the pool, but for whom swimming has played an influential role in their success.  Past recipients of this recognition include US President President Ronald Reagan and Jao Havalange,  past president of FIFA.

One of the features of the evening was the stage appearance of Michael Phelps, along with Serbian Olympian Milorad Cavic and Heinz Kluetmeier, the legendary Sports Illustrated photographer.  On stage they discussed the race and the picture that captured Phelps' "miracle" victory over Cavic in the 100 meter butterfly at the 208 Beijing Olympic Games.  The underwater picture of "the touch", which Kluetmeier has donated as a fundraiser for the ISHOF, the Michael Phelps Foundation and a Serbian charity designated by Cavic, was voted sports photograph if the year in 2008 and was the iconic image of the Beijing Games.  Earlier in the day, Phelps, Cavic and Kluetmeier appeared at the ISHOF to sign copies of the picture that will be sold to raise money for the three charities.  For more information on how to get your own copy, read the following article.

On Friday night, May 7^th, Ft. Lauderdale Jack Seiler presented a proclamation from the City declaring Saturday, May 8^th, ISHOF Day in the City of Fort Lauderdale.  This followed reception hosted by NIKE Swim, which preceeded the annual Paragon Awards, sponsored by Paragon Aquatics, a division of Pentair.  Persons recognized with Paragon Awards on Friday night were: John Leonard,  Janice Rude, Safeya Ahmed Sarwat, Eugenio Martinez, B. Chris Brewster and  Steven Becker.  Dr. Ann Weiser was presented with the John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award, Presented by SR Smith.  Mary Ederle Ward, the great niece of Gertrude Ederle received the Buck Dawson Authors Award; Russell "Rusty" Owens was presented with G. Harold Martin Award; and, Dr. Daniel Zylberberg, Ph.D. was recognized with the Virginia Hunt Newman Award.

FORT LAUDERDALE, May 24, 2010 - Olympic greats Janet Evans and Jason Lezak came back to Fort Lauderdale's International Swimming Hall of Fame to help the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) launch its "Pool Safely" campaign.

The CPSC's campaign will provide information and education called for in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act), federal legislation signed into law in 2007 mandating new safety equipment requirements for public pool and spas. The national campaign will raise public awareness about drowning and entrapment prevention, promote industry compliance, and improve safety at pools and spas.  The new anti-entrapment drain covers and other equipment protect children and all bathers against the dangers of suction entrapment from broken or loose drain covers. Seven-year-old Virginia Graeme Baker drowned when she became trapped on a broken drain cover in a hot tub in 2002.

In addition to Hall of Famer Evans and Olympic hero Lezak, Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman of the CPSC, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), the chief House sponsor of the Act and Nancy Baker, the mother of the Act's namesake presented remarks at the press conference held on the deck of the Hall of Fame Pool.

For more information about the CPSC's Pool Safety campaign, go to:

http://www.poolsafety.gov/