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DPR Customer Care: (202) 673-7647
 
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DPR Hosts 37th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet
 
Pool Closures in Support of the Event include Takoma, Turkey Thicket, and Rumsey Aquatic Centers

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) invites residents and visitors to the 37th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM) at the Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren Street, NW) on February 16, 17, and 18, 2024.

"Breaking barriers and making waves, the Black History Invitational Swim Meet will again make a splash as athletes come together to celebrate unity, resilience, and excellence in aquatics,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman. “This historic event not only honors the rich legacy of Black swimmers but also champions diversity and inclusion in the world of competitive swimming. Get ready to dive into history at the Black History Invitational Swim Meet – where every stroke tells a story."

The three-day annual event, jointly produced by DPR and the United Black Fund (UBF), will feature nearly 30 swim teams and 800 swimmers ages 5-18 from across the United States. Swimmers compete in traditional swim events, such as the individual medley, freestyle, butterfly, relays, backstroke, and breaststroke. The swim meet will also be streamed online for spectators and competitors' families.

The Black History Invitational Swim Meet was founded in 1987 by the DPR and the United Black Fund, Inc. (UBF) with the mission to provide urban youth exposure to strong competition and a forum to meet positive role models. This competition is now recognized by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, as the "premier minority swim competition in the United States and the world."

For more information and to watch the 37th Annual BHISM, visit BlackHistorySwimMeet.splashthat.com for more information about this event.
 
DPR Aquatic Centers will close for the 37th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet:

Takoma Aquatic Center will serve as the host site for the BHISM and will close on Thursday, February 15 at 1:00 p.m. to prepare for the event. Due to staffing for the meet, Turkey Thicket and Rumsey Aquatic Centers will be closed on Saturday, February 17. Deanwood Aquatic Center remains closed for repair

Residents can access Barry Farm and Marie Reed Aquatic Centers throughout the meet, and each will be open on Saturday, February 17, and Sunday, February 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: All DPR facilities (including all aquatic centers) will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

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