COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, January 31. CHUCK Wielgus, Executive Director for United States Swimming, recently learned that he has colon cancer. The distressing news of the disease that was discovered during the Christmas holidays is hard to absorb for those who know him. Wielgus, a private man who often avoids the limelight, runs the most successful national governing sports body within the United States Olympic Committee organization. Now he has an Olympic challenge of his own.
"I usually try to keep my personal business out of the media, but the fact is that I will be losing weight and will be seen toting an IV around the office as I work over the next few months. This will not affect my work in the short term, but I will have to have surgery after this initial treatment and that will put me out of action for a time. My goal is to then regain my weight after surgery and be fully recovered in time for the USAS Convention in September," Wielgus said.
With tongue in cheek, he added that his biggest fear is that "when I am gone, they will realize that I really don't do much around here." Any truth to that statement would not be shared by his board or employees who have watched him lead their organization for nearly 10 years, beginning July 15, 1997.
Jim Wood, President of United States Swimming said that, "Chuck's leadership skills and vision will never be taken for granted. When things run smoothly in his absence, it will be the result of all of his hard work. He is in all of our prayers."
Wielgus is already into the fourth week of a six-week, 24-hour intravenous chemo injection system with daily visits to the hospital for radiation treatment. After that period he will have four weeks of recovery followed by surgery. During this time, he will be working daily with restricted travel. After surgery, he will be recuperating with some time off in order to regain strength and weight.
"I am very lucky to have two families; my immediate family and my swimming family. Both have been extremely supportive of me and I feel very fortunate."
With an 80% recovery rate for those who go through the treatment program that Chuck has already embarked upon, there is already much hope that he will come out of this in fine shape. "Every coach or person over the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy", Wielgus, age 57, concluded.
On behalf of the entire swimming community, Swimming World Magazine wishes Chuck the speediest of recoveries and strength to him and his family.