The International Swimming Hall of Fame inducted its class of 2025 on Monday afternoon in Singapore in between sessions at the 22nd World Aquatics Championships.
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Contributor on Monday afternoon in Singapore in between sessions at the World Aquatics Championships.
Al Musallam has played a pivotal role in the evolution of global aquatics. His extensive service includes decades of leadership in international aquatic sports governance, guiding strategic initiatives that have elevated competitive swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving on the world stage.
Al Musallam's induction into ISHOF is a testament to his lifelong dedication to aquatic excellence, from his tenure as an athlete to his influence in shaping the future of aquatics. Under his leadership, World Aquatics has expanded opportunities for athletes worldwide, promoted inclusivity, and strengthened the sport's global footprint.
“Swimming has always been my passion from when I first swam as a young boy in Kuwait and then to represent my country at regional international competition,” Al Musallam said in his induction speech. “I was thinking, after turning from swimming to go to the UK to study to be a commercial pilot, what I can give back to swimming and what I can do to help the sport. First, in my country. Second, in my region. And all of you know, I come from a region with a lot of conflicts. But I always believed that swimming and sport will reduce the conflicts and will bring our children to have a better life and a better, safe world.
“Being elected President of World Aquatics four years ago was the biggest honour of my life.”
Al Musallam has introduced significant and historic reforms with the organization, including but not limited to the formation of the athletes’ committee and increased representation of women on the World Aquatics Bureau. Al Musallam has also championed the effort by World Aquatics to place pools in every corner of the world to increase water safety and promote aquatic participation.
Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry, who was recently elected as the President of the International Olympic Committee as the first woman, the first African, and the first swimmer to hold the distinction, was also on hand in Singapore to honour the aquatic sports and celebrate those on their accomplishment.
Coventry was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer in 2023 as she won back to back Olympic gold medals in the 200m backstroke in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Additionally, she won five silver and bronze medals at the Olympics and won three World titles at the World Aquatics Championships in Montreal 2005 and Rome 2009.
Singapore’s first ever Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. With many family and friends in attendance in his home city, Schooling celebrated his career surrounded by loved ones.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be able to stand up here today to collect this award,” Schooling said. “At the end of the day, it's about the journey. And there were times where I didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I didn't know if I was going to succeed. Being up here is a real surreal moment. But I hope this goes to show that anyone can do it. It doesn't matter what country you're from or what you do, but if you have a dream, dare to dream and get after it.”
Schooling won the Olympic gold medal in the 100m butterfly in Rio 2016, taking down swimming legends Michael Phelps, Laszlo Cseh and Chad Le Clos, the latter being on hand to help introduce the inductees. Schooling is, to this day, Singapore’s lone gold medalist at the Olympics as he also won a pair of bronze medals at the World Aquatics Championships in the 100m butterfly in Kazan 2015 and Budapest 2017.
“When you walk out through those doors, the rest of your day continues,” Schooling said in his speech. “You’ve got meetings. You’ve got meets to go and watch. But everyone is here today for one collective purpose - to stay present and to honour the swimmers.”
Schooling honoured his father, who passed away in 2021.
“My dad told me he wanted to go back to the US for one reason, for my induction into the Hall of Fame,” Schooling said. “At that point in time, I thought, ‘Dad, why would you fly all the way out to Fort Lauderdale for that? You can do it in a different way.’ Now I understand what he meant. Enjoy the present, enjoy the moment, enjoy the wins, because you never know when you might win again.”
The International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2025:
Honour Swimmers:
Anthony Ervin (USA). The oldest Olympic gold medalist in an individual event in swimming, based on his 50m freestyle gold medal from Rio 2016.
Ryan Lochte (USA). The winner of 27 total medals at the World Aquatics Championships, and the holder of the world record in the 200m IM since 2009.
Federica Pellegrini (ITA). The queen of the 200m freestyle, having won medals at every Worlds or Olympics in the event from 2004 - 2019.
Joseph Schooling (SGP). The first swimmer from Singapore to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming.
Open Water Swimmer
Oussama Mellouli (TUN). The first swimmer to win an Olympic medal in both pool swimming and marathon swimming in the same Games, when he won bronze in the 1500m freestyle and gold in the 10km in London 2012.
Diver
Chen Ruolin (CHN). Winner of five Olympic medals, all gold. In the 10m platform, she was back to back Olympic champion in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Water Polo Player
Endre Molnar (HUN). Winner of four Olympic medals in water polo, including being the goal keeper for the gold medal winning Hungarian team in 1976.
Artistic Swimmer
Andrea Fuentes (ESP/USA). Winner of four Olympic medals in artistic swimming and led Spain to gold at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in the team free routine combination.
Coach
Gregg Troy (USA). Coach at the University of Florida and mentor of Olympic gold medalists Martin Zubero, Anthony Nesty and Caeleb Dressel.
Contributor
Captain Husain Al Musallam (KUW). President of World Aquatics since 2021, World Aquatics First Vice President from 2015 - 2021, and World Aquatics Vice President from 2009 - 2015. He was also a FINA Bureau Member from 1996 - 2009
Pioneer
Sachin Nag (IND) (*deceased). Olympic Games participant for India in swimming and water polo in 1948 and 1952, and scored India’s first ever water polo goal at the Olympics in 1948.