On Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and United Black Fund held the 22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM), “Be The Water.” Several events held in the week prior to the event helped to raise the expectations of national and local supporters of this year’s competition.
On Wednesday, February 13, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty hosted an evening reception in honor of the DC Wave Swim Team and one of DC’s own African American living legends, Senior Olympian Bradford Tatum. On Friday, February 15, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes delivered an inspirational message at the last practice of the DC Wave.
“It’s a new day at DPR,” said Clark E. Ray, director of DPR, “and the execution of the BHISM, one of our signature events, was a major step forward for the agency. I believe it was another sign to District residents, participating competitors, corporate sponsors and USA Swimming of DPR’s renewed commitment to enhancing our programming agency-wide.”
According to John Cruzat, National Diversity Specialist with USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, “We at USA Swimming and the Potomac Valley LSC are ecstatic regarding the great attendance and remarkable competitive spirit of the 2008 BHISM. The efficiency of the meet coupled with the volunteer support, professionalism of DPR staff, and media coverage created a dynamic model of metro swimming that must be replicated in diverse urban centers across the country.”
Below is a brief synopsis of the two-day historic event, the inspirational talk by Dominique Dawes and the Mayor’s reception.
Saturday and Sunday, February 16 and 17
DPR Hosts “22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet”; Meet Sanctioned by USA Swimming and Dual Course Run for First Time in BHISM History
Last weekend, hundreds of youth swimmers converged upon the Takoma Aquatics Center in Northwest Washington, DC to compete in “Be The Water: The 22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM)”. The event has been hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the United Black Fund since 1987 and is one of DPR’s signature events.
Among the highlights of the two-day event was a brief ceremony on Saturday morning in honor of 2008 BHISM Honoree Bradford Tatum. Tatum is an 86-year-old native Washingtonian and award-winning member of the Water Wizards, DC’s seniors’ swim team. At the 2007 national Summer Senior Olympics, Tatum earned gold medals in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle as well as silver medals in the 50- and 100-yard breast stroke and a bronze in the 50-yard freestyle.
To showcase his own swimming prowess, Bradford Tatum joined members of the Water Wizards, including his 89-year-old brother in the “Bradford Tatum Relay."
Friday, February 15
DPR Swim Team “DC WAVE” Motivated By U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist; Dominique Dawes Inspires Youth to “Be The Water” before Premier Minority Swim Meet
On Friday, February 15, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes stopped by the Takoma Aquatic Center in Northwest Washington to motivate DC Wave Swim team members to “Be the Water.” DC Wave is the District of Columbia’s only nationally-competitive, public youth swim team.
According to Clark E. Ray, director of DPR which hosted the annual competition in conjunction with the United Black Fund, “‘Be The Water’ is going to demonstrate how DPR is contributing to Mayor Fenty’s vision of making the District a ‘world-class city’. Part of that transition is bringing our children world-class athletes like Ms. Dawes who can infuse them with greater possibility and promise.”
With over 30 DC Wave swimmers, ages 5 thru 18 gathered around her, and their parents peering down from above, Ms. Dawes stressed the importance of finding one’s passion, developing a plan, and staying persistent in the pursuit of success. Dawes herself believes she has found her own passion and now works as a motivational speaker, part-time coach, broadcaster and spokeswoman for issues relating to women’s and children’s health and fitness.
“It is so important to make sure that children understand that they can achieve,” said John Cruzat, diversity specialist for USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming. “The BHISM highlights the very best in minority swimmers from across the nation and we want to be sure that athletes of every sport who understand what it is to persevere and succeed over the long-term have a chance to be exposed to the kids to motivate them. Dominique was a perfect fit.”
Wednesday, February 13
“Be The Water Tonight: Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s Reception in Honor of the 22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet”
On Wednesday, February 13, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty hosted “Be The Water Tonight,” a reception in honor of organizers of the 22nd Annual BHISM, members of the DC Wave Swim Team, their parents, and honoree Bradford Tatum.
The Mayor was joined by DPR Director Clark E. Ray, United Black Fund president Barry Lenoir, Ward 5 Councilmember Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr., Chair of the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, and over 200 DC Wave supporters to salute Mr. Tatum, an African American, 86-year-old Senior Olympian and native Washington. Tatum was presented with a Mayoral Proclamation.