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DPR Aquatics Office: (202) 671-1289
DPR Media Contact: John Stokes, (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is hosting the 28th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM) from today, Friday, February 14, 2014, to Sunday, February 16, 2014, at the Takoma Aquatic Center at 300 Van Buren St., NW, in Washington, DC. Hundreds of young swimmers from across the country converged for the three-day competition that leads into the Presidents Day holiday, when all DPR's facilities will be closed.
The theme this year is “Take Your Mark," and sessions are Friday, February 14, from 2 pm to around 5:30 pm; Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16, from 8 am to approximately 5:30 pm. All events are free, and open to the public.
A collaborative effort by DPR and the United Black Fund Inc. (UBF), the BHISM was founded in 1987 by Dr. Calvin Rolark and Dr. William H. Rumsey with the goals of nourishing self-reliance, determination, and the spirit of fair play for youth and their parents. Over the years, the competition has offered urban youth nationwide a positive outlet in the sport of competitive swimming. More than 850 athletes, ranging in ages from 5 to 18, from more than 30 teams will compete in the standard swim events, including individual medley, freestyle, butterfly, back and breast strokes and relays. Athletes traveled from Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts and Georgia among other states. USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, hailed the BHISM as the premier minority swim competition in the United States and in the world.
“This is the 28th year that young athletes from across the nation unite at one of the premiere aquatics invitational swim meets in the country," said Interim Director Sharia Shanklin. "This year's theme, 'Take Your Mark' not only speaks to the athletic and competitive readiness of participants this weekend, but it is a threaded theme for a way of life beyond the pool lanes. Every youth has the innate ability to 'Take Your Mark' beyond the athletic arena and into all areas of personal growth and development. We are honored to be a part of their positive progression.”
Besides the days of competition, an honoree's reception will be on Saturday, February 15 at noon. This is open to the media. Invited guests include this year’s honoree, Russell "Kim" Williams, coach for the Baltimore City Swim Club, DC Councilmembers, DPR's Interim Director Shanklin, UBF president Barry Lenoir, past BHISM honorees, event partners, sponsors and other dignitaries.
Coach Williams has been part of this annual event from its inception when he and his team joined the invitational in 1987 at the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center in Ward 6. A consistent supporter of the swim meet, Williams has not only seen BHISM grow year after year but he is one of the reasons that it can and continues to grow. Since 1989, the BHISM has selected courageous and notable African Americans to be honored and recognized during the invitational. Previous honorees included the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (posthumously); Dr. Dorothy I. Height; 2008 U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Cullen Jones; and DPR's Coach Rodger McCoy.
Due to the BHISM, the Takoma Aquatic Center will be closed to the public for the duration of the invitational and on February 17, in recognition of Presidents Day.
All other DPR aquatic facilities will be closed from Saturday, February 15 to Monday, February 17, 2014.
For more on the 28th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM)
call DPR's Aquatics Division at (202) 671-1289.
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