Rowdy Gaines was awarded the 2022 Rings of Gold Award at this week’s annual U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Assembly in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Rings of Gold Awards recognize both a program and an individual dedicated to helping children develop their Olympic or Paralympic dreams and reach their highest potential. 

USA Swimming Ambassador and three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines was awarded this year’s individual award with Paralympian Melissa Stockwell for making a difference in the lives of children. 

Unable to attend the ceremony due to his work calling the FINA World Championships, Gaines sent his comments via video to play for the more than 300 attendees.

“I can’t begin to thank everyone at the USOPC for this incredible honor. I’m so humbled and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. When I started reading more about the Rings of Gold and some of the past awardees, I sincerely don’t belong with this group,” he said.

Gaines continued: “When I think of my mentor and my coach Richard Quick, Kristi Yamaguchi, so many people before me that I have so much admired, I can’t even begin to fathom what it means to be alongside them. I have to tell you that this is not just about me. This is about a lot of friends, family and people who’ve surrounded me my whole life who have given back to that idea that the Rings of Gold represents. This is about bringing the Olympic Movement to our youth, to the playing field. Literally the sport of swimming changed my life. I didn’t start swimming until I was 17, and I was a kid in desperate need of the Olympic idea. It was brought to me and I vowed for the rest of my life that I would do my best to those children that followed me.”

During his competitive career, Rowdy’s name became synonymous with American swimming. Between 1978 and 1984, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and International Swimming Hall of Fame member set 10 world records. In addition to his three Olympic gold medals, he has also tallied 16 total medals (12 gold) representing the United States at the World Championships and Pan American Games.

Gaines has been a tireless advocate for drowning prevention. He has served as a USA Swimming Foundation Ambassador since 2011, but his work in the learn to swim space started far earlier than that. His work with the USA Swimming Foundation dates to 2003, when he helped launch the Foundation and served as its Executive Director until 2008. He has also served as the Vice President of Aquatics for the YMCA of Central Florida in Orlando and is currently VP of Partnerships and Development for the Pool and Hot Tub Association.

View the entire awards ceremony here. Gaines’ award is presented at 54:08.

Learn more about the award here.