The USA Swimming Foundation announced today that four-time Olympic medalist, Madeline Jane "Maya" DiRado - Andrews (San Francisco, Calif.) has joined its Board of Directors.

“It is our honor to have Olympic gold medalist Maya DiRado joining the USA Swimming Foundation Board of Directors,” USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse stated. “Maya’s passion for swimming accompanied with her enthusiasm to promote learn to swim and water safety through the Make A Splash initiative, make her a true asset to the Board of Directors.”

Born in Santa Rosa, Calif., DiRado learned to swim at the very young age of six. A three-time California high school state champion in the 200-yard individual medley, she went on to attend and swim for Stanford University, winning NCAA titles in the 200y and 400y IM. In 2014, DiRado graduated with a degree in Management Science and Engineering.

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, DiRado, who is a first-generation Argentinian-American, won her first gold medal in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay and closed her Olympic Games performance with a memorable, come-from-behind gold medal in the women’s 200m backstroke. She added silver in the women's 400m IM and bronze in the women’s 200m IM in Rio.

“The Foundation’s key mission to ‘save lives and build champions,’ both in and out of the water spoke to me,” DiRado said. “I am proud join its Board of Directors and look forward to expanding it reach. You are never too young to learn about the importance of learning how to swim. Everyone should have an equal opportunity as well as accessibility to learning this life-saving skill.”

The next USA Swimming Foundation Board of Directors meeting is Friday, May 11 in Denver.