In Briefs 04/22/15: IOC Learning Initiative, Rangelova Snags Olympic Standards, OHSAA State Meet Tradition Continues

IOC Athlete Learning Gateway Introduced…….For the past year, the International Olympic Committee, with the help of more than 4000 global athletes and coaches, has tested and developed a pilot version of “experimental massive open online courses”, or MOOC.  The IOC believes this series of courses and seminars can help connect the busy elite athlete with the world’s best academics and learning tools to enable “athletes to shape their futures while still pursuing their athletic careers.”  Citing Agenda 2020, the IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair, Claudia Bokel, says of the initiative, “This inspiring free electronic platform will give athletes, wherever they may be in the world and at whatever stage of their athletic career, access to educational material produced by leading academics and athletes. This is an important step forward for the welfare of athletes.”

Bulgarian Swimmer Rangelova Earns Olympic B Standards…….Southern Methodist University senior Nina Rangelova earned three 2016 Rio Olympic FINA “B” qualifying times with her strong performances at the Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa last weekend.  Rangelova’s 1:59.40 time in the 200m freestyle (5th in A final in Mesa), 25.90 in the 50m freestyle and 55.69 in the 100 freestyle were enough to secure Rangelova as the first Bulgarian swimmer to surpass FINA Olympic standard cuts thus far during the qualifying time period.  The qualifying time frame runs from March 1, 2015 to July 3, 2016.

C.T. Branin Natatorium To Continue Hosting Ohio High School State Championship…….The C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio has hosted the Ohio High School State Swimming & Diving Championship since 1976 on the boys’ side and since 1980 for the girls.  As such, it was not a shock when the Ohio HIgh School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to extend the site’s hosting contract through 2025.  Said OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross, “Sam Seiple, the meet director,does a remarkable job. I’m not sure there’s any better. We feel real, real fortunate to be there and we’re tickled to be there for a long period of time. … Our kids and our schools, they love being there.”