YMCA and the Olympics

The YMCA has had historic connections with the Olympic Games for over a century. It all started with Elwood S. Brown, who organized games during World War I that caught the eye of Baron de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics. This partnership helped grow the Olympic movement, using the YMCA's resources and facilities to support athletes worldwide.

Athletes in the US and around the world have started their journeys at the YMCA. Olympic legends like Johnny Weissmuller, swimming's first superstar who won five gold medals; Greg Louganis, who earned five Olympic medals in diving; and Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, all trained at YMCA facilities. Other Olympic stars like Dara Torres, Janet Evans, Mark Spitz, and Wilt Chamberlain also trained at YMCAs, showcasing the organization's lasting impact on nurturing Olympic talent.