USA Swimming launches 2009 Splash Bash To Support the U.S. World Championship Swim Team

Colorado Springs, Colo. – USA Swimming today announced the re-launch of its Splash Bash program, a national grassroots initiative designed to help support the U.S. World Championships Swim Team and increase participation in the sport of swimming.

More than 225 ‘Splash Bash’ parties will be hosted around the country, coinciding with the swimming competition at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy, June 26-July 2. Splash Bash parties are hosted by local swim clubs with support from USA Swimming, and provide an interactive environment for fans to gather and support U.S. swimmers in Rome.

Each viewing party will include interactive crowd games, event prize giveaways for all attendees, and a chance to win a trip for two to attend the 2009 Golden Goggle Awards in Los Angeles in November. The Golden Goggles Awards are the USA Swimming Foundation’s annual awards gala where past and present swimming stars gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2009 U.S. World Championship Team. 

“The Splash Bash parties provide us a real opportunity to share our sport, and bring the excitement of the World Championships to kids across the nation,” said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming’s executive director. “We know that there is no better promotion for the sport of swimming than having our U.S. athletes successfully compete on the international stage. Our hope is that kids across the nation will catch the buzz, and be inspired to join their local teams.”

USA Swimming began the Splash Bash program in 2008 with the launch of the ‘U.S. Olympic Splash Bash’. In its first year, hundreds parties were held across the country to support the U.S. Olympic Swim Team in Beijing. 

For more information, visit www.SplashBash2009.com.

About USA Swimming
As the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, USA Swimming is a 300,000-member service organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and education. Our membership is comprised of swimmers from the age group level to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches and volunteers. USA Swimming is responsible for selecting and training teams for international competition including the Olympic Games, and strives to serve the sport through its core objectives: Build the base, Promote the sport, Achieve competitive success. For more information, visit www.usaswimming.org.

Tags: FINA World Championships, Splash Bash, USA Swimming