While USA Swimming has said that they don’t plan to participate as a federation in the newly-announced FINA Youth Programme event before the 2014 World Short Course Championships in Doha, this doesn’t mean that the world’s best swimming nation won’t be represented.
Todd Schmitz, the head coach of the Colorado Stars and the man who guided Missy Franklin from mere age grouper to World Record holder, four-time Olympic gold medalist, and 11-time World Champion, was announced as the key lecturer and leader of the program, by FINA today.
“I am very excited to be selected to run the first ever FINA Youth Programme in Doha,” Schmitz said. “It will be a tremendous opportunity to spread passion and fundamentals about the sport I love, swimming. I am very thankful that FINA, Doha 2014, and USA Swimming have the confidence in me to run such an ambitious programme for the first time.”
Among Schmitz’s international experiences include as a member of the United States’ 2012 Olympic coaching staff that led the tables.
In this program, every FINA member federation has the right two send two swimmers and one national-staff-level coach to the workshop that will precede the FINA World Short Course Championships, on FINA’s dollar.
Todd, Nice to see you are still wearing the ‘Red and White’