One of the most compelling stories among elite swimmers in America centers around Eric Shanteau, an Olympic swimmer and cancer survivor.

One week before the USA Olympic Swimming Trials, Eric was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite the devestating news, Eric swam at Trials and made the USA Olympic team and later swam his lifetime best in Beijing.

He later underwent surgery and was declared cancer free. Since then, he has worked with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and has started a Swim4Your Life open water clinic and races in Lake Lanier Islands in Georgia between September 17-19.

Eric’s three-day open water swimming extravaganza begins on September 17th with an open water clinic led by Olympians Aaron Peirsol, Amanda Weir and Eric and ends with a cocktail party and dinner. The events include a 500-yard swim for kids and 1K and 5K races in Lake Lanier where national open water swimming championships and national training camps have been held.

“The open water provides a different challenge than the pool, it excites me because there literally are no walls. You can get too comfortable in the pool sometimes. I think swimming in a lake or ocean can strengthen your pool swimming. In teaming with Livestrong for this event, I hope people are inspired to live healthy and active lifestyles and to tackle their fitness goals.”

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones