Special Dedication Shown By Coach And Athlete
The Cayman Islands Government wrote a nice article about Andrew Smilley‘s Open Water Swim of 2009 on its website here. Andrew‘s next big competition: the second Latin-American Special Olympic Games (II Juegos Latinoamericanos de Olimpiadas Especiales) between February 19th – 27th where Andrew will join over a 1,000 athletes and 250 coaches in front of thousands of spectators and volunteers in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“His dedication is phenomenal,” said his coach Penny McDowall (shown on left). “We have always been very proud of him – now the world knows why.” Penny herself is also an incredible individual – passionate, thoughtful and experienced – as she is one of only 40 coaches worldwide to receive the Special Olympics’ Exemplary Coach Award.
“There are more than 250,000 Special Olympics coaches around the world. And so for Penny to win this international award is really something we cherish,” explained Special Olympics Cayman Islands Board Director Maxine Everson.
We also cherish the warm-hearted devotion of Penny to her athletes and the sport.
Copyright © 2009 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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