Featured on USASwimming.org: The Chuck Weilgus Blog: Five Things to Watch in 2015.
1. BOSTON AS THE U.S. CANDIDATE CITY TO HOST THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES
The USOC’s selection as Boston to be the U.S. candidate city for the 2024 Olympic Games was a surprise to many of us. While Boston is a great pro sports town, it has never had much of an international profile with Olympic sports. A Boston Olympic Games would be a tremendous boost to all Olympic sports, and especially so for swimming. Just think of all the excitement that would be generated throughout the Northeast! And what would be a better legacy than for Boston to construct a new major aquatic venue? READ MORE
2. THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS AND IMPACT ON OLYMPIC SPORTS.
The Power 5 conferences are taking over the highest level of college sports, and the future of Olympic sports is uncertain. As the ACC, Big Ten, Big-12, Pac-12 and SEC determine how they will reshape the college sports landscape, we must become much more active to protect and preserve DI level scholarship swimming. READ MORE
3. MEMBERSHIP TRENDS IN ALL YOUTH SPORTS.
Participation numbers in almost all youth sports are on the decline. This is not a good trend, and many sports, including swimming, are working hard to stop the slide. Because of the concussion issue, football faces the harshest decline, but participation is down in baseball, golf, tennis and many other sports. READ MORE
4. HOW SPORTS GOVERNING BODIES WILL EMBRACE THEIR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ROLES.
For the past 5 years, USA Swimming has confronted the issue of sexual abuse head-on. Our sport has among the most extensive programs of policies & guidelines; screening procedures; training & education; and a structure for reporting and responding to complaints. We have hired and committed full-time staff for this critical responsibility. Above all, we have been successful in raising awareness about what are the appropriate boundaries between adults and young athletes.READ MORE
5. THE GROWTH AND IMPACT OF THE USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION.
I have asked the senior staff team at USA Swimming to join me in making this “The Year of the Foundation.” After a decade of ups and downs, I think the foundation has finally started to get real traction; and with a full-time Annual Fund Manager and Major Gifts Director now on the staff team, I foresee a time of real growth and new results in the year ahead. READ MORE
