There’s something in the water: Local Olympic swimmers continue to win

Independence Day brought barbecues, fireworks, and of course pool parties across the city.  And in Louisville, you can’t swim without award- winning Louisville Pure Tap™ in your pool. Just ask local swimmer Zach Harting – Louisville Water is proud to sponsor him in his quest to gold as he represents Team USA in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Toyko this July. But he is not the only Louisvillian to train in Pure Tap and represent our city on this international stage.

If you’ve enjoyed a stroll along the Crescent Hill Reservoir, you’ve likely caught a glimpse of the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center. The facility was originally developed in 1954 as part of a city-wide effort to replace the popular Crescent Hill Swimming Pool, which was built by Louisville Water in 1919 but closed in 1951 to make room for additional water treatment facilities.
This indoor public pool on Reservoir Road is a popular destination for athletes and families – offering swim lessons, aquatic therapy, water aerobics, and plenty of lanes to get in a few laps. The namesake of the facility, Mary T. Meagher, is a decorated Olympian and Louisville native.

Meagher was born in Louisville in 1964 and attended Sacred Heart Academy.  She set her first world-record at the age of 14 and went on to win three gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, a bronze medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, and 24 U.S. national swimming titles throughout her career.

Meagher swam the butterfly stroke, landing her the nickname “Madame Butterfly,” and held the world records in 100m and 200m butterfly for almost two decades. Harting also swims butterfly, as does Kelsi Dahlia, another Olympic gold medalist and Louisvillian who won her gold in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro swimming the butterfly leg of the 4 x 100 meter medley relay.

“Mary T. swam butterfly, Kelsi and I swim butterfly, Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly…” said Harting.“There must be something in the water!”

We couldn’t agree more. Louisville Pure Tap™ has won its own series of awards over the years for quality, innovation, and taste, and we’re proud to help all of Louisville’s amazing athletes stay hydrated for success.

Mary T. Meagher