The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce that it will be including this year’s MISHOF (Masters) prestigious Class of 2021 to its Saturday evening Induction program. This year ISHOF will add the MISHOF (Masters) Class of 2021’s nine honorees from five countries; four swimmers, one coach, one diver, one water polo player, one synchronized swimmer, and one contributor. ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines will be co-emcees and hosts of the induction on Saturday, October 9, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This year’s 2021 MISHOF, Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame honorees include:
SWIMMERS:
EDITH BÖHM (GER)
Since 1986, Edith Bohm has been in the Top Ten 22 times until 2008 when she competed in her last swim meet in Bavaria. She set 15 long course and 13 short course FINA Masters World Records in the breaststroke, one of them lasting seven years. Bohm has competed in seven FINA Masters World Championships between 1986 and 2004 winning a total of 29 medals, 18 of them gold.
OLGA KOKORINA (RUS)
Photo Courtesy: Olga Kokorina
Russia’s Olga Kokorina, born in 1923, has been a swimmer her entire life but did not start swimming Masters until 1998.. She broke world records in almost every competition she entered. Her last recorded races were in 2015 where she swam in the 90-94 age group at the Russian Masters cup. In her 17 years in Masters swimming she broke 34 world records and won more than 50 gold medals.
CLAY BRITT (USA)
Clay Britt has been swimming competitively for 54 straight years. He has 23 FINA Masters World Records to his name and has competed in seven age groups. He has been in the Top Ten every year for a total of 30 times, between the years 1988 through 2018.
SHIGEHISA SEKIKAWA (JPN)
Since 1991, Shigehisa Sekikawa has been in the Top Ten world rankings 24 times. He has set 14 long course and 17 short course FINA backstroke Masters World Records. His 1998 200m backstroke short course world record in the 65 to 70 age group stood for 7 years.
DIVER
DAVID COTTON (USA)
Photo Courtesy: David Cotton
David Cotton has competed in USA Masters Nationals since 1992, has competed in the Pan Am Masters, the Masters World Games and eight FINA World Championships, winning 26 World Championship medals: 11 gold, 12 silver and three bronzes. He has set two world records.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER
BIRTE HOHLSTEIN – JANSSEN (GER)
Photo Courtesy: Birte Hohlstein
Birte Hohlstein-Janssen has been a loyal Masters synchronized swimmer since 1994. Birte has attended 11 FINA Masters World Championships since 1994 and has won at least one gold or silver medal in 10 of the 11 meets. This success comes despite being hampered by the fact that there is no Masters team in her region. So she and Silke have been limited to only doing solo and duet, except when they briefly joined a team based in Berlin. This brought them the gold medal in team, as well as duet, at the 1998 FINA Worlds in Casablanca, Morocco.
WATER POLO PLAYER:
GUENTER WOLF (GER)
Günter Wolf was an active water polo player from 1962 to 1978, a five-time German National Champion. Wolf played 131 matches for the German National Team between 1969 and 1976 and took part in the 1972 (4th) and 1976 (6th) Olympic Games. From 2000 until now he has been involved with Masters Water Polo. With his team SC Duesseldorf, he has participated in eight FINA Masters World Championships, winning five gold, two silver and one bronze.
CONTRIBUTOR:
ROSE CODY (PUR)
Photo Courtesy: Rose Cody
Rose Cody is one of the most influential people in Masters Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming. She became a member of the FINA Masters Committee in 1994 and remained on the committee until 2017. During this time she served as the Synchronized Swimming Director at every FINA Masters World Championships from 1994 through 2017.
She was a FINA judge from 1976 to 2004 when mandatory age requirements caused her retirement. She has been a referee, judge and administrator at all events from grassroots to CCCAN, CISC and CAC (Central American and Caribbean Games). She has conducted clinics in over 18 countries throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.
COACH:
KERRY O’BRIEN (USA)
Kerry O’Brien. Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Archive
Kerry O’Brien’s engagement and commitment to swimming has been a lifelong endeavor. His participation in U.S. Masters Swimming has resulted in significant enhanced member benefits such as increased skill development, participation and overall enjoyment. Kerry’s contributions and service to U.S. Masters have focused on all facets of coaching. His 40-year tenure leading Walnut Creek Masters defines his is a legacy of service and giving back to the sport.
The ISHOF and MISHOF Induction Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 8, 2021
Paragon & ISHOF Awards Night
- 5:30 pm Cocktails
- 6:30 pm ISHOF and Paragon Awards
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction
- 12-1:30 pm Luncheon
Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame and Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
- 5:30 pm VIP Reception
- 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
Ticket Information
- October 8-9th Complete Weekend Package (Includes Paragon/ISHOF Awards Night, Saturday Luncheon, and Induction Ceremony)
ISHOF Non-Members $425 BEST PRICE!!
- October 8th Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards Night (Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar) 5:30 pm
- October 9th Saturday Luncheon 12:00-1:30 pm
- October 9th ISHOF and Masters Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm
10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night
Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame
NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021
Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021
End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021
Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367
Mirko Vičević mid-play Photo Courtesy: Mirko Vicevic[/caption][caption id="attachment_409832" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Mirko Vičević Photo Courtesy: Mirko Vičević[/caption]
Mirko Vičević on the Savona team in Italy Photo Courtesy: Ribelli Savona[/caption]
Mirko Vičević at Akademija Cattaro Photo Courtesy: Mirko Vičević[/caption]