National Black Heritage swim meet held in Cary
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- It was a full house at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary this weekend, but the event was no ordinary swim competition.
The National Black Heritage Championship swim meet celebrates the culture of African Americans and other groups in swimming.
The meet attracts swim teams from all over the country, including teams from as far away as California and Texas.
Underneath the splashing and diving, there is an important message. Organizers want to reduce the number of drownings by getting more people to learn how to swim.
This year, U.S. Olympian and N.C. State alumnus Cullen Jones and Olympian Maritza McClendon were special guests.
"It's awesome to be here and to have some any different race team here... racing and loving swimming and getting kids active," Cullen said.
McClendon was the first black woman to make the U.S. Olympic swimming team and earn a medal.
