Open Water Swimming Friendships Last A Lifetime
Swimming Canada, FINA and the Traversée Internationale du lac St-Jean have truly rolled out the red carpet to the athletes, coaches and officials at the 2010 World Open Water Swimming Championships in what is undoubtedly the ‘capitale mondiale de nage en eau libre’ (world capital of open water swimming).their warm hospitality and attention to detail has been obvious to everyone involved in the world championships.
In a speech to local swimmers after his bronze-medal performance in the 5K race, Fran Crippen said, “The thing that I remember is not necessarily the races that I have done over the years, but the friendships that I make and the people who I meet around the world. It has been wonderful here in Roberval. The friends you make in swimming will last you a lifetime.”
Those obvious, but profound, words certainly ring true throughout the world of open water swimming.
Photo by Steeve Tremblay of Le Quotidien showing hosts Pierre Lafontaine of Swimming Canada, Dr. Julio Maglione, President of FINA, and Benoit Amyot of Roberval 2010.
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones
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. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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