U.S. Olympic teammates Lia Neal and Jacob Pebley and announced the “Swimmers for Change” initiative on Friday. Swimmers for Change is a grassroots movement involving over 30 Olympic, Paralympic, and U.S. National team athletes. The goal is to provide a platform for the swimming community to contribute towards raising awareness and support for the Black Lives Matter movement and combating systemic racism in the U.S.
The two Olympians have led the efforts to mobilize over 30 U.S. Olympic, Paralympic and National Team athletes, past and present, to volunteer their time and expertise to the swimming audience by hosting two weeks of daily live webinar shows.
The programs will run from June 15 to June 26 and cover a range of topics including athlete nutrition, mental health, leadership, how to be a leader in your community, life balance, technique advice, plus Q&A and live workout sessions.
The lineup of “Swimmers For Change” Olympians and Paralympians is a “who’s who” of star studded talent including Lia Neal, Cullen Jones, Jacob Pebley, Anthony Ervin, Giles Smith, Nathan Adrian, Lilly King, Natalie Coughlin, Elizabeth Beisel, Gary Hall Jr., Katie Hoff, Kara Lynn Joyce, Maya DiRado, Jamal Hill, Josh Prenot, Madisyn Cox, Kim Vandenberg, Mallory Comerford, Rebecca Soni, Caroline Burckle, Leah Smith, Kelsi Dahlia, McKenzie Coan, Hali Flickinger, Zach Harting, Andrew Wilson, Abrahm DeVine, Annie Lazor, Ashley Twichell, Gabby DeLoof, Ali DeLoof, Catie DeLoof, Linnea Mack, Madison Kennedy, Katie Drabot and Kendyl Stewart.
Photo Courtesy: CG Sports Network
Swimmers for Change will be broadcast live each day from 11am to 12pm PDT on the CG Sports Network and live streamed through the SwimmingWorld/ISHOF Facebook page. Swimmers can subscribe for a free access pass the entire two weeks of shows.
Each show will have a dedicated charity selected by Swimmers For Change where audiences can show their support through donations. Swimmers For Change apparel will be available for purchase and proceeds will go to support charities with the mission of supporting black communities.
Audiences can get involved by purchasing the limited time “Swimmers For Change” t-shirts for $25 and tagging their favorite Olympic show host on Instagram. All proceeds will go towards the Swimmers For Change charity partners.
“It has really warmed my heart seeing all of these athletes eager to jump on the opportunity to give back and support the black and minority communities. It is no secret that swimming is a predominantly white sport. Many of our teammates expressed a deep interest in wanting to do more to support this movement and use their platforms as athletes. It has been really special for us, as swimmers, to take the lead and hopefully have this be the catalyst to an overhaul of systemic changes in society as a whole, but also within swimming” said 2-time Olympian and co-founder, Lia Neal.
Jacob Pebley; Photo Courtesy: CG Sports Network
“We athletes involved in Swimmers for Change know that #blacklivesmatter and are committed to using our platforms and unique skill sets to champion efforts and educate against racial discrimination. The movement will start with us: the athletes that thousands look to for guidance not only in the pool, but also in how we choose to live our lives” said 2016 Olypmian and co-founder, Jacob Pebley.
Swimmers for Change will also be highlighting resources the community can use to stay educated about systemic racism and the role everyone can play in dismantling it.
The live webinar series kicks off June 15th every day for 2 weeks from 11am-12pm PT and is available for free on the CG Sports Network.
Support Swimmers For Change by visiting their webpage: https://www.cgsportsmanagement.com/swimmers-for-change
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Swimmers for Change and the CG Sports Network. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.