Swimming news courtesy of DLE.
Washington, DC – Bruce Gemmell, the three-time, national swim coach of the year, has signed with the DLE Agency, for all media, marketing, and brand development work ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics. With star pupils Andrew Gemmell and Katie Ledecky, Gemmell’s coaching efforts will be on center stage again this summer, during the largest sporting event in the world.
FIVE RINGS, ONE GOAL
Over the last four years, Bruce Gemmell has quietly become one of the most successful coaches in the United States. He has developed a number of national, international, and Olympic champions, while serving as head coach of the Nations Capital Swim Club (NCAP), in Washington, DC.
In 2015, Gemmell won an historic third consecutive Coach of the Year award, from the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA). Earlier that summer, Ledecky dominated the FINA World Championships, winning five gold medals and setting three world records.
The 2016 season is already off to a good start for Gemmell’s elite training group. Last month, (Andrew) Gemmell finished second in the 1500m at the Austin Grand Prix, while Ledecky broke her own world record in the 800m and swam the fifth fastest time in history on her way to winning the 400m.
“Success at all levels of life, both in and out of the pool, is never an accident. It requires a vision,” said Gemmell. “It’s the product of planning, strategy, discipline, hard work and teamwork.”
Over the last three years—since winning the 800m in her Olympic debut, in London—Ledecky has set world record marks in the 400, 800, and 1500m freestyle events. She is also the defending World champion in the 200, 400, 800, and 1500m freestyle. In that same span, Gemmell’s son, Andrew, has won the Pan Pacific 10K Open Water Championship, three U.S. open water national championships, and a silver medal in the 1500m at the Pan American Games, last summer in Toronto.
“I’m proud of our coaches and athletes and pleased with all that we’ve accomplished over the last few years,” said Gemmell. “I look forward to building on that success in 2016 and beyond.”
The DLE Agency will represent Gemmell for all media, marketing, and long-term brand development work.
“We’re pleased to welcome Coach Gemmell to the DLE Family,” said managing partner, Doug Eldridge. “He understands that building a championship program or team requires vision, strategy, and execution.”
“Winning is never easy. Winning consistently is even more difficult. But when you understand how to manage personnel, develop their talents, and harness their best performances when it matters most, then you’re talking about something different altogether. You’re not winning the game…you’re changing the game. This is what I think makes Coach Gemmell so unique.”
In 2012, the London Olympics drew record-breaking television viewing audiences, in the United States. With 219.4 million total U.S. viewers–and an average of 31.1 million viewers during prime-time coverage–the 2012 Games were the most watched television event in U.S. history, according to Nielsen. This summer, the Rio Olympics are expected to eclipse those marks with swimming once again driving domestic viewing numbers.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming will take place in Omaha, Nebraska from June 26 – July 3, 2016. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5 – 21, 2016.
About DLE: Based out of Washington, DC, the DLE Agency is an integrated media, marketing, and management firm, serving a global portfolio of athletes, personalities, and brands. For more information, please visit www.DLEagency.com or follow us on social media: @DLEagency
don’t get me wrong, Gemmel has done fantastic work with Ledecky. Not sure how much he coached his son until after college but that is obviously going well also. But the article states he has developed ‘a number of national, international…’ swimmers. Are there others i am missing?