Omar Fathallah Invited to USA Swimming National Diversity Select Camp

Mundelein, Illinois- Local Mundelein Mustang Swim Club swimmer, Omar Fathallah, was selected to USA Swimming's 13th Annual National Diversity Select Camp, to be held May 2-5 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. This camp is a three-day camp at the Olympic Training Center features elite swimmers from multicultural populations.

MMSC is proud to have one of our swimmers attend the National Diversity Camp. MMSC Head Senior Coach Kyle Smith said, "Being selected to the camp is a great honor and opportunity for Omar. It is a testament to his dedication and hard work to his continued success. I am hopeful that this will just be another step in his growth and development, as an athlete and leader, on his way to achieving his ultimate goal in the sport."

Fathallah will be one of 48 swimmers from around the country selected to participate. The purpose of the camp is to instill a vision of success and inspire athletes from ethnically underrepresented populations to become leaders in the sport of swimming. The National Diversity Select Camp brings together some of USA Swimming's most diverse talent for an extended weekend of pool training, leadership development, team-building activities and learning. Athletes' personal coaches are encouraged to attend the camp as well.

"It is powerful for these athletes to connect with other swimmers that are navigating our sport in a way that they can relate to," said Mariejo Truex, USA Swimming Senior Director of Education, Programs & Services. He added that "For some, it is the first time they are able to see and interact with other swimmers that look like themselves or can identify with their experiences. This camp helps drive performance knowing that these athletes aren't the only ones and knowing that they have the necessary support from not only other athletes, but from coaches, officials, parents, volunteers,and USA Swimming staff."

"The National Diversity Select Camp is a great opportunity for up-and-coming athletes to take their initial step towards being a member of one of our national teams," added Juan Caraveo, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant for USA Swimming. "Athletes and their coaches attend sessions that detail how a diverse and inclusive environment can enrich the experience of their teams while increasing their competitive advantage in the pool."

A total of 36 clubs from 21 states will be represented at the prestigious camp. Alumni of the program include Isabel Gormley, Daniel Roy, Jack LeVant and Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel.

The goal of USA Swimming's National Diversity Select Camp is to:

· Demonstrate the viability of multicultural success in swimming.

· Achieve performance excellence at every level of the sport.

· Expound the benefits and value of participating in the sport of swimming.

· Assist in recruiting more swimmers and coaches from diverse ethnicities to the sport of swimming.

· Be positive leaders and role models that others from multicultural backgrounds can emulate.

The camp hosts swimmers between the ages 14 and 16 and selection is based on times swum at USA Swimming sanctioned events. Each athlete selected for the camp will be provided complimentary room and board at the Olympic Training Center, ground transportation and full airfare to Colorado Springs.