For The Love And Passion Of The Sport
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Melissa Cunningham has a soft touch and a hard side.
As one of the most knowledgeable and compassionate FINA Athlete Representatives in open water swimming history, Cunningham was always there for her fellow athletes. She knows their stresses and strains, their goals and obstacles. She was always available to those who seek her guidance and expertise.
As a world 25 km marathon swimming champion who overcame a bout of breast cancer, Cunningham is clearly also a fighter. She was tough whether it came to overcoming the elements or competition.
Her work on behalf of the sport of open water swimming was recognized today on the Isle of Bute in Scotland during the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame ceremonies. She received the 2014 Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award and was touched by the outpouring of support by those in the community.
Photo courtesy of Ram Barkai.
Copyright © 2014 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
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