Governing Bodies November 2009

USOC Launches Website For Coaching Education

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has launched a new website, USACoaching.org, dedicated to coaching education and development. The site will serve as a hub for coaching information, including education courses, certification programs and requirements, as well as a variety of coaching material related to nearly 50 different sports and to more than 300 programs and resources. 

USA Pentathlon Names Chairman Of The Board

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Barry Matchett has been selected as chairman of the board for U.S. Modern Pentathlon. Matchett will serve through the term ending Jan. 1, 2011. He is filling the chairman’s term vacated by Atif Sidiqqi, who remains chairman of U.S. Modern Pentathlon’s Ethics and Audit Committee.

USA Swimming Adopts Ban On Full-Body Suits

CHICAGO—At its annual convention in September, USA Swimming delegates voted for early implementation of a ban on high-tech swimsuits. The legislation, which went into effect on Oct. 1, regulates swimsuits worn in all USA Swimming-sanctioned competitions and states that all swimsuits must be made from textile materials.

US Sailing Hosts Training Camps

PORTSMOUTH, R.I.—US Sailing’s Olympic Sailing Program will host two training camps for members of the U18 and U23 teams, as well as other youth sailors who are on an Olympic track in the Laser, Laser Radial, 29er or International 420 divisions. The clinics will be held Nov. 27-29 and Dec. 19-22 at the US Sailing Center in Miami.

US Sailing also announced the election of Gary Jobson as its next president. Jobson was elected at the organization’s annual general meeting in League City, Texas.

IWSF Approves Name Change

UNTERAEGEN, Switzerland—The executive board for the International Water Ski Federation (IWSF), the world governing body for towed water sports, has approved a name change to the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF). The board also approved a new logo, designed by Boris Dallafontana.

According to members of the executive board, the name change was necessary to more clearly reflect IWWF as the international governing body for both waterskiing and wakeboarding; to help create new commercial opportunities; to increase public awareness of towed water sports; to increase the number of affiliated federations with a strong wakeboard focus; to help increase the number of young participants; and to further encourage the inclusion of more cable-waterski and cable-wakeboard parks. There are an estimated 220 parks and more than 1 million participants worldwide.