COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, September 9. JUST days before the United States Aquatics Sports Convention is to begin in Jacksonville, Fla., Swimming World has learned that USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus is currently on medical leave due to complications from cancer surgery.
While Wielgus is hopeful to deliver the State of the Sport address at the Convention, he will not attend the full event.
"Chuck Wielgus is currently out on medical leave, recovering from cancer surgery," USA Swimming spokesperson Jamie Olsen told Swimming World. "While he remains highly engaged in the day-to-day business of USA Swimming, he is very much looking forward to returning to the office and appreciates greatly the many well wishes he has received."
Wielgus recently underwent surgery to further combat colon cancer. He first broke news that he had colon cancer with Swimming World at the beginning of 2007, and has continued to fight the disease throughout the past four years.