Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Eight Teams and Clubs Hosted for TYR Pro Swim Series Fort Lauderdale
Night three of the TYR Pro Swim Series Fort Lauderdale (Friday, March 3) brought more excitement than meet records and back-to-back ties in the final of the 50m butterfly events. USA Swimming, with partners Diversity in Aquatics and TYR, hosted a community event for coaches and athletes from the Fort Lauderdale area.
Nearly 100 age group, senior and masters athletes, parents and coaches enjoyed prime on-deck seating, goodie bags and the opportunity to meet and greet with USA Swimming representatives. Community Impact Grant recipient Tamarac Swimming, Fort Lauderdale Aquatics, Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Diversity in Aquatics Masters, StreetWaves Corp., Swim Fort Lauderdale, Love our Nation and Stranahan High School were in attendance. For some, it was the first swim meet they had ever seen.
“The event was top notch,” Fort Lauderdale Aquatics swim parent Torri Telfair said. “As a parent of an African American young boy, it was so enlightening. And when I say I cannot stop talking about it, I mean it. It exposed kids and swimmers from all walks of life, all diversities.”
Before Friday’s finals started, attendees were welcomed by Olympians Cullen Jones and Lindsay Mintenko, USA Swimming Managing Director of the National Team. Everyone had the opportunity to gather autographs from the trio of Jones, Bobby Finke and Kieran Smith.
Everyone left with gear, including #Swimclusion sunglasses and Bag Tag, USA Swimming pencils, stickers, a cap, pair of goggles and a mesh equipment bag.
“For the kids to see the next level, it just reminded me of the quote ‘oh, the possibilities’,” Telfair said. “I even saw a different walk on Monday from the kids. They walked into practice ready like they were Olympians. My son is like ‘I’m not playing around in practice anymore’.”
USA Swimming, TYR and Diversity in Aquatics look forward to continued impact on communities through the sport of swimming at future events.
“(For USA Swimming) to be in collaboration with TYR and Diversity in Aquatics, it can’t get better than that,” Telfair added.
For USA Swimming DEI resources and information, visit here.
Nearly 100 age group, senior and masters athletes, parents and coaches enjoyed prime on-deck seating, goodie bags and the opportunity to meet and greet with USA Swimming representatives. Community Impact Grant recipient Tamarac Swimming, Fort Lauderdale Aquatics, Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Diversity in Aquatics Masters, StreetWaves Corp., Swim Fort Lauderdale, Love our Nation and Stranahan High School were in attendance. For some, it was the first swim meet they had ever seen.
“The event was top notch,” Fort Lauderdale Aquatics swim parent Torri Telfair said. “As a parent of an African American young boy, it was so enlightening. And when I say I cannot stop talking about it, I mean it. It exposed kids and swimmers from all walks of life, all diversities.”
Before Friday’s finals started, attendees were welcomed by Olympians Cullen Jones and Lindsay Mintenko, USA Swimming Managing Director of the National Team. Everyone had the opportunity to gather autographs from the trio of Jones, Bobby Finke and Kieran Smith.
Everyone left with gear, including #Swimclusion sunglasses and Bag Tag, USA Swimming pencils, stickers, a cap, pair of goggles and a mesh equipment bag.
“For the kids to see the next level, it just reminded me of the quote ‘oh, the possibilities’,” Telfair said. “I even saw a different walk on Monday from the kids. They walked into practice ready like they were Olympians. My son is like ‘I’m not playing around in practice anymore’.”
USA Swimming, TYR and Diversity in Aquatics look forward to continued impact on communities through the sport of swimming at future events.
“(For USA Swimming) to be in collaboration with TYR and Diversity in Aquatics, it can’t get better than that,” Telfair added.
For USA Swimming DEI resources and information, visit here.