(Washington, DC) DC Parks and Recreation will host the nation’s top young swimmers at the 17th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet.

The event will be held on Feb. 15 and 16 at the UDC Aquatic Center (Building 47), located on the university’s Van Ness campus at 4200 Connecticut Ave., NW. Saturday's events take place from 7 am to 5 pm. Sunday's meets are from 9 am to 4 pm.

Each year, in honor of Black History Month, the Black History Invitational Swim Meet salutes courageous and notable community leaders whose contributions and achievements have set new standards in their respective fields, opening doors for the next generation of young men and women. This year’s event will honor Dan Knise and Clarence Bishop of the Washington/Baltimore Regional 2012 Coalition. The coalition led the region's push to host the 2012 Olympics. Washington was one of four bid cities vying for the two finalist spots.

"Our honorees have worked diligently in support of today's amateur athlete," DPR Director Neil O. Albert said. "Their efforts have not gone unnoticed."

The Black History Invitational Swim Meet was co-founded in 1987 by the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation and The United Black Fund, Inc. These two organizations formed an alliance to produce the first and only swim meet in the nation held in honor of Black History Month. The swim meet was originally established to expose urban youth nationwide to organized competition, and provide a positive outlet for self-expression, a forum of positive role models, and an opportunity to visit the nation's capital.

Today, the event is a showcase of the swimming prowess of youth, ages 18 and under. The District's swim team will host squads from various areas throughout the country. In 2002, about 650 swimmers from 31 US cities competed.