ISLAMORADA, Florida, November 4. THE Race Club announced its selection today of the first 11 members of the athlete-run Race Club, located in scenic Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The announcement appears today on Gary Hall Jr.'s web site, www.garyhalljr.com.
The Race Club, which solicited applications from sprinters worldwide, is coached by two-time Olympian Jon Olsen. The club will cover various expenses for the athletes including travel, housing and training.
The impressive list of 11 athletes, including club founder Gary Hall, Jr., features eight Olympians:
Ricky Busquets, Puerto Rico (Univ. of Tenn.). Olympian; tied Michael Klim for bronze in the 50m free (22.47) at the 1998 World Championships.
David Carter, Australia. Australian national team.
Michelle Engelsman, Australia (Kenyon College). Australian national team; NCAA Div. III champ in 100 back, 50 free.
Mark Foster, England. World record-holder 50m free (short course), former WR-holder for 50m fly (sc). British record-holder for 50m free (22.13) and 2003 World Championships silver-medalist in that event.
Gary Hall, Jr. USA. Eight-time Olympic medalist, including four-time gold medalist. American record-holder in 50m free (21.76).
Jeremy Linn, USA (Univ. of Tenn.). 1996 Olympic gold and silver medalist. Multi-NCAA champ; AR-holder in 100 yard breast (51.86).
Stavros Michaelides, Cyprus. Three-time Greek Olympian; Greek record-holder in the 50m free.
Sabir Muhammad, USA (Stanford Univ.). Multi-NCAA champion.
Ozzie Quevedo, Venezuela (Auburn Univ.) Venezuelan Olympian; national record-holder in the 50 free and 100 fly.
Julio Santos, Ecuador (Florida State Univ.). Two-time Ecuadorian Olympian and national record-holder in the 50 and 100m free.
Roland Schoeman,, South Africa (Univ. of Arizona). Commonwealth record-holder in the 50m free (22.04). South-African record-holder in the 50 free, 50 fly and 100 fly.
In his announcement, Hall said the Club plans to add additional team members in the near future.