OLYMPIC swimmer and Silver Medalist Chad Carvin, one of the USA’s best long distance swimmers will be conducting clinics and meeting the islands’ youth as he and his brother will make a trip through the islands beginning in Majuro on April 13, and finishing up on Saipan on May 8, thanks FINA, the world swimming body.
April 13-16 Majuro
April 16-18 Kwajalein
April 18-20 Kosrae
April 20-23 Pohnpei
April 23-25 Chuuk
April 25-28 Yap
April 28 – May 1 Palau
May 1 – May 4 Guam
May 4 – May 8 Saipan
Contact persons on each of the islands are the national sporting bodies or swimming organizations of that island, or Bill Sakovich at (670) 234-1001 on Saipan, FINA, the International organization governing swimming in the world, is providing the travel funds, and, each of the islands has been asked to assist with accommodations during their visit.
As some of the islands do not have swimming programs, the focus by Olympic medalist Chad Carvin will be on youth sports and the Olympics, as this will be a rare opportunity for the Micronesian youth to meet and speak with an Olympian about training, sports in general and the Olympics Games. Chad’s brother is a former swimmer and waterpolo player and currently employed as a lifeguard in Laguna Beach.
Twenty seven year old Chad is actively competing and last weekend competed in the US National Spring Championships in Minnesota, taking second place in the 400 m Free in 3:53 and fourth in the 200 m Free in 1:49.
Next week he files to Moscow, Russia with the US National team to compete in the World Swimming Shortcourse (25 m pool) Championships. Then returns to California and a few days later will leave on his trip through the islands.
In the early 90’s, he competed for the University of Arizona, was a 12 time All American, two time NCAA Champion and three time National Champion up to 1995. At the 1994 NCAA’s he set American Records in the 500 yds and 1650 yds Freestyle events.
Twice during his career he had to stop swimming, first in December 1995 after months of fatigue, he was finally diagnosed with Viral Cardiomyopathy and was out of swimming for several months, maybe forever. However, he came back at the Spring Nationals in 1997 to win four national titles, the High Point Bob Kiphuth Award and the 1997 Comback Award. This same year he was selected as a Sullivan Award finalist for the top amateur athlete in the USA.
Then again, in the summer of 1997 he hurt his back in a skateboard accident and had disc problems. He was again out for a few months. He later came back and qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Team where he was 6th in the 400m Freestyle and was on the silver medal winning 800m Freestyle Relay team loosing only to Australia.
Chad is only the second person since Mark Spitz in 1972 to win four individual titles at the US Nationals in 1997. He has been competing internationally since 1991, having competed in the US Nationals, Olympic Trials, NCAA’s World Championships, Pac Pacific Championships, the Goodwill Games and World Cup Swimming. He competes mainly in middle distance (200m – 400m), long distance events (800-1500 and 5km), and the 400m Individual Medley.
Aside from his swimming activities, he is an avid Table Tennis player, and enjoys surfing, skateboarding, pottery and playing the guitar.
