Marion Kane Elston, passed away August 10th, 2015 at age 81

Marion Kane Elston, one of the most successful and influential coaches in the history of synchronized

swimming, passed away August 10th at the age of 81.  IN the 1960’s and early 1970’s, her San Francisco Merionettes displayed technical skill and artistic flair in winning 67 U.S. National AAU titles (18 solo, 27 duet, 22 team) and 29 major international titles, including the 1971 Pan American Games.

Elston began swimming by playing in the Russian River in Northern California at age 3.  She was very successful as a speed swimmer when she was young, but wanted a more creative endeavor and turned her attention to synchronized swimming.  Elston’s routines were known for their innovative choreography, suberb showmanship and a great blend of music and movement.  She pioneered the “support scull” that is an essential part of synchro to this day, allowing the swimmers to remain at a high level while upside down in the water.

She was instrumental in developing synchro around the world by giving numerous clinics and demonstrations all over the globe.  Her National Champion swimmers Margo McGrath and Carol Redmond spent almost a year teaching and touring in Europe in 1967-68, greatly advancing the sport there.  She authored the first Judges’ Training Guide in 1964 to help develop standards for judges in the United States, and the first Meet Managers’ Guide that same year to aid in hosting an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) meet.  She choreographed 32 former synchro swimmers for the aquacade sequences in the film Funny Lady, starring Barbra Streisand.  She also directed 35 swimmers for the 1984 World’s Fair Aquacade in New Orleans that was seen by more than 3.5 million people.

After years of being “retired” from coaching, she returned to coaching masters in the mid-1990’s.  She quickly was back in the full swing of coaching, with her Oak Park, CA, based team ranging from young age group swimmers to masters.  Her death was discovered when she did not arrive at a masters’ morning practice.

She was inducted into the United States Synchronized Swimming Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1967 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1981.  A memorial service will be held October 10th.

FINA EXPO PAVILION REVEALS UNIQUE MEDALS TO THE PUBLIC

The other day new showpieces were exhibited at the FINA EXPO Pavilion. Visitors of the FINA Water World Park will be able to get acquainted with the 40-year-old sports memorabilia and legendary medals of the 1980 Olympic Games.

The collection of the FINA EXPO Pavilion now has more than 10 new showpieces. The International Swimming Hall of Fame, FL, USA provided the pavilion with some essential water sports-related memorabilia, among them swimsuits demonstrating the history of swimsuit-making back from the 19th centuries till nowadays, the badge and the medal of the participant of the first FINA World Championships 1973, caps of the first professional synchro swimmers of 1973 and 1956. A unique collection of medals of the 1980 Olympics boycotted by the USA and '84 Olympics boycotted by the USSR will be also exhibited at the pavilion.

The FINA Expo pavilion offers daily workshops and meetings with celebrities. In particular, Championships Ambassadors come to the pavilion to sign autographs for fans and award best Kazan 2015 volunteers. Yesterday evening, after her gig at the FINA Water World Park, Russian singer Nyusha recognised best volunteers of the day by presenting them with gifts. The performer thanked the volunteers and told that she is going to root for her sister, synchro swimmer Maria Shurochkina, who will compete in tonight’s women’s team free routine.

Press Office of Organising Committee for 16th FINA World Championships

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ISHOF’s de Varona and Ellis Recognized As Leaders by USA Swimming and Speedo

ISHOF Chair of the Board, Donna de Varona and Board Member Jim Ellis have been named to the USA Swimming/Speedo List of the 30 Most Influential People In Swimming Over the Past 30 Years.  Also making the list are 10 Hall of Fame Honorees:  Matt Biondi, Peter Daland, Janet Evans, Rowdy Gaines, Dick Pound, Richard Quick, Eddie Reese, Mark Schubert, Nick Thierry and John Urbanchek.

“These individuals are synonymous with the incredible growth we’ve enjoyed in swimming, at every stage: learning to swim, team swimming, college level and representing our country on the podium,” said Jim Sheehan, USA Swimming President. “The commitment and contributions from Speedo USA have been instrumental over the last 30 years for many of the ‘Who’s Who’ on this list and thousands of others who participate in our sport on a daily basis.”

Donna de Varona is a two-time Olympian who won two gold medals. After her swimming career ended, de Varona went on to become ABC’s first full-time female sportscaster and an avid advocate for the advancement of women’s sports through Title IX. She is a member of the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame, the International Swimming Hall of fame and was the first president of the Women’s Sports Foundation.  She has served on ISHOF’s Board of Directors since 2005 and is the current Chair of the Board.

Jim Ellis is renowned for his devoted efforts to promote diversity within the sport of swimming. In 1971 he founded the Philadelphia Department of Recreation Swim Team, a team of predominantly African-American swimmers. His story of bringing swimming to the lives of inner city youth and their families was brought even further into the public spotlight through the 2007 movie, Pride. Jim has served on ISHOF’s Board of Directors since 2007.

For the complete list:

http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2777&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en

Individuals on the #30MostSwimfluential list were evaluated on contributions to the sport in the United States from 1985-2015. Eligibility for consideration and selection was not dependent on an association with Speedo. A panel consisting of select USA Swimming staff, USA Swimming Board of Directors, coaches, industry historians and media determined the final list.

The list was compiled to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Speedo’s sponsorship of USA Swimming. 

“Speedo USA supports swimmers and coaches at all levels and we are proud of our 30 year partnership with USA Swimming” said Speedo USA President Jim Gerson. “This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate the progress of the sport over the past 30 years and the incredible individuals whose contributions have been instrumental to its growth.”

USA Swimming and Speedo are corporate partners of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Class of 2015 Announced For The International Masters Swimming Hall Of Fame

FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is proud to announce its class of inductees for 2015. The group of seven outstanding individuals will be inducted at the annual ceremony to be held on Friday evening, October 2nd, 2015, at the Marriott Downtown, in Kansas City, MO, in conjunction with the 2015 United States Aquatic Sports XXXVI Convention. The prestigious IMSHOF class of 2015 includes four swimmers, one diver, one synchronized swimmer and one contributor, from three different countries: the USA, Australia, and Japan.

FEMALE SWIMMERS

MIEKO NAGAOKA (JPN)

Nagaoka, who started her swimming career at 80, achieved her first Japanese Masters record at the age of 84. At the age of 95 she claimed her first world record in the 200m backstroke. She has set 34 long course and 24 short course FINA masters world records, and has competed in 5 FINA World Championships.

SHOKO YONEZAWA (JPN)

Shoko has set 39 FINA Masters World Records, 15 long course meters in the breaststroke and backstroke and 24 short course meters in individual medley, breaststroke and backstroke. She has accumulated 36 -number 1, 21 -number 2 and 21 -number 3 long course meters rankings and 36 -number 1, 24 -number 2 and 16 -number 3 short course rankings for a total of 72 -number 1, 45 -number 2 and 37 -number 3 world rankings. She competed at the 2002 FINA Masters World Championships winning 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal.

MALE SWIMMERS

DAVID RADCLIFF (USA)

Radcliff has set 29 FINA Masters World Records, 18 long course meters and 11 short course meters in the freestyle events from the 50 to 1500 meters. Beginning with world rankings in 1997, he has 45 -number 1, 17 -number 2 and 7 -number 3 long course meters rankings and 43 -number 1, 15 -number 2 and 10 -number 3 short course meters rankings for a total of 88 -number 1, 32 -number 2 and 17 -number 3 world rankings. He has competed in the 2006 and 2008 FINA Masters World Championships winning 7 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal. David had a big run in 2014 breaking 12 world records in his new age group (80-85).

JACK GROSELLE (USA)

As a versatile swimmer, he set 23 FINA Masters World Records, 15 long course meters and 8 short course meters in the freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and I.M. In 2014 alone, he broke seven world records in six events in long and short course. He has competed in 2 FINA Masters World Championships (2006 & 2008) winning 7 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal in the freestyle. Jack is the only man to hold a US Masters Swimming national record in the same event (100m free) across five age groups.

DIVER

ANIELLE CLAVERSTYNE PLOWMAN (AUS)

As an Australian, Anielle Claverstyne Plowman has won 38 USA Masters Diving titles and 25 of 27 international events she entered as well as every Australian masters event she entered. Most of her winning margins have been very substantial; in many cases she did not require the points of her last dive to win the event.

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER

PENNY DEMEULES (USA)

Penny has a lifelong love for the sport of Synchronized Swimming. A member of the Unsyncables of La Mirada, Penny has also been a coach, judge, and committee chair. Penny began synchro masters in 1991 when she was age 49 and has continued now swimming into her 70s. She has participated in 11 Masters World Championships, 23 US National Championships and 1 Canadian National Championship. She was awarded the May McEwan Award in 2002 as someone who has made outstanding contributions to and best exemplifies the spirit of Masters synchro.

CONTRIBUTOR

NANCY RIDOUT (USA)

From the earliest days of Masters Swimming, Nancy has been a seminal force in all things Masters. For her local club (Tamalpais Aquatic Masters), LMSC (Pacific Masters Swimming) and United States Masters Swimming, Nancy has been there to contribute. Key to that commitment is Nancy’s participation as an athlete. While fostering her contributions on the deck, Nancy’s swimming accomplishments and performances have positioned her at the pinnacle of the sport through over 4 decades of competition. While her swimming resume is full of world records, national records, and Top 10 performances, this recognition is for her many roles behind the scenes, that have been a crucial part of Masters Swimming’s growth and success.

About IMSHOF

The purpose of the IMSHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness and participation in adult aquatic programs by recognizing the achievements of individuals who serve as an example for others. To be considered, honorees must have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups.  The IMSHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit:  www.ishof.org

About ISHOF

The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports in 1968, its mission is to promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, quality of life, and the water safety of all children and adults. For more information please visit http://www.ishof.org

In Memorium Galina Prozumenschikova (November 26, 1948- July 19, 2015)

From Russia comes the sad news that Galina Prozumenschikova has passed away at the age of 66.  In

Olympic pool of Tokyo-1964, she was a 15-years-old blonde Mermaid from Sebastopol who surprised the world by winning the final of 200 m in breast. She thus became the first Olympic swimming gold medalist for the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games.

Galina Prozumenshikova, was not the only European gold medal winner at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo but 8 years later at Munich, with a three year old son, she was still a medalist. At Mexico City, in between her medals at Tokyo and Munich, an appendectomy a month before the meet and the altitude took its toll as Galina collapsed after the 200 (3rd) and lost the 100 by .001 to Bjedov of Yugoslavia (2nd) and Sharon Wickman of the USA (1st).

After the end of her prominent sporting career, she graduated from Moscow’University and taught at the Swim school of Soviet Army for children for many years.  

Prozumenschikova was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 and

in 2013, she was recognized as one of the "100 Greatest Swimmers in History" in a book by swim journalist John Lohn. 

INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME Enshrinement Weekend A Success In Santa Clara

FORT LAUDERDALE - The International Swimming Hall of Fame’s (ISHOF) held its first Enshrinement event in the City of Santa Clara, CA,  Thursday through Sunday, June 18 - 21.  The weekend kicked off on Thursday morning, when ISHOF assisted the Santa Clara Swim Club in hosting the World’s Largest Swim Lesson.  Among the instructors were World and American record holders Aaron Peirsol, Conner Jaeger, Alia Atkinson and Tom Shields.  The lesson was part of an effort to promote the importance of learning to swim and to break the Guinness Book of World records for a mass swim lesson.  On Friday, the ISHOF Class of 2015, along with a group of Olympians and Hall Famers were introduced to the crowd on hand at the George Haines International Swim Center to watch the USA Swimming/Arena Pro Swim Series.  Later that evening witnessed the 20th Annual Paragon Awards, sponsored by Pentair Aquatics, at the nearby Santa Clara Hilton Hotel. ISHOF CEO Bruce Wigo and 4 time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Sheila Taormina acts as Masters of the Ceremony. On hand to welcome the assemblage and pay special tribute to ISHOF’s Service Award recipient, Kevin Moore, was Jamie Mathews, Mayor of Santa Clara.  Others receiving awards on Friday night included: Julie O’Neill, Jim Stilton, Mary Ann Reeves, Dan Sharadin, Lori Thompson, Petere Wernicki, Cindy and Johnny Johnson, Dr. Sam Britten and Jim Reiser. Jeff Farrell, Sheila Taormina and Barb Rosenstock received Buck Dawson Author Awards.

On Saturday afternoon there was a luncheon for the honorees, award recipients and for participants of the 1955 and 1975 Pan American Games and 1975 World Championships at Mission College.  Highlights were shown of the competitions and amazingly, the entire 1955 US Synchro Swimming team that brought home the gold medal in the first FINA sanctioned synchro competition were on hand.

Saturday evening, five hundred attendees packed into the Santa Clara Convention Center for the 51st Annual Enshrinement Ceremonies and dinner, presented by Speedo.  Olympic and Hall of Fame Great John Naber did a marvelous job as Master of Ceremonies for the Class of 2015, which included: swimmer Enith Brigitha (NED), synchronized swimmer Anastaysia Ermakova (RUS); water polo player/coach Ivo Trumbic; open water swimmer Irene Van Der Laan (NED); coaches James Gaughran (USA) and Don Watson (USA), contributor Bartolo Consolo (ITA) and Masters Swimmer Karlyn Pipes (USA).  Highlights included Hall of Famer Shirley Babashoff presenting the award to Enith Brigitha, nearly 80 former Hinsdale High grads on hand to support Don Watson and an inspiring speech by ISHOF Gold Medallion recipient Anne Warner Cribbs.

A Sunday farewell brunch at the Hilton saw a preview trailer for the upcoming documentary film, “The Last Gold” being produced by USA Swimming, which tells the story of the 1976 USA Women’s Olympic team and the final event at the Montreal Olympics: the 4 x 100 freestyle relay which has become one of the most dramatic events in all of Olympic swimming history.

About the ISHOF

The International Swimming Hall of Fame & Museum was established in 1965 as a not-for-profit educational organization in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and was recognized by FINA, the international governing body for the Olympic aquatic sports, in 1968. The Mission of ISHOF is to PRESERVE and CELEBRATE aquatic history, to EDUCATE the general public about the importance of swimming as the key to water safety, drowning prevention, better health and a better quality of life, and to INSPIRE everyone to swim. The VISION is EVERY CHILD A SWIMMER. ISHOF’s collection of swimming memorabilia, art, photos and films, along with archival documents and rare books in the Henning Library, make ISHOF the premier repository and academic research resource for swimming and aquatic history in the world.

For more information contact Bruce Wigo at 954-462-6536 ext. 201, or brucewigo@yahoo.com 

Legendary ISHOF Honor Diving Coach Ron O’Brien to receive stone on Fort Lauderdale's Walk of Fame on Saturday May 23, 2015 at 6.00pm

On Saturday May 23rd, from 6.00-6.45pm, the City of Fort Lauderdale will recognize 4 Fort Lauderdale icons for their lifelong accomplishments with their induction into the City’s Walk of Fame. ISHOF Honor Coach Ron O’Brien is one of the distinguished inductees and his stone will be placed in the city’s Walk of Fame along the boardwalk. We invite all of our former divers, fellow coaches and friends to join in the festivities via live stream. We hope you will join us. Please click here to watch the event live tomorrow at 6.00pm






Ron O’Brien 
Diving Coach Ron O’Brien has had a long and distinguished career coaching eight United States Olympic teams and training numerous Olympic Medalists and World Champions at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex from 1990 to 2006.  O’Brien produced a United States National Champion in 25 of his 30 years as a diving coach and had a National Champion for 24 consecutive years from 1973 through 1996.  In the 1988 Olympic Games, O’Brien coached Greg Louganis to his second double gold medal performance in the springboard and platform events, making Louganis the only man to accomplish back-to-back double gold medals in Olympic diving history.  In 1986, all 12 United States Diving individual National Titles were won by divers coached by Ron O’Brien.  In 1984, O’Brien’s team of divers made history when the United States swept all four gold medals at the World Championships, the only time this feat has ever been accomplished and the first time since 1952 that any country had ever swept a major international world class event. 

For more information on the event, please visit: