After a decade-long battle with colon cancer, USA Swimming Executive Director ​Chuck Wielgus​ passed away Sunday in Colorado Spring, CO. He was 67 years old.​

​Wielgus took over the top spot on the podium in July 1997 and has since led USA Swimming to an unprecedented 156 Olympic medals since the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia. Wielgus also stepped up and assumed a leadership role as chief executive officer of the USA Swimming Foundation in 2004. He announced this past January that he was going to be stepping down from all roles and responsibilities within the governing body, leaving room for USA Swimming to search for a successor.

USA Swimming's comprehensive press release can be found here.

Members of the swimming community had emotional words on Wielgus' passing:​

Jim Sheehan, USA Swimming Board of Directors Chair

"This is an extremely sad day, as we lost Chuck Wielgus, one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to work alongside. He will be missed by all of us in USA Swimming and all his friends and colleagues around the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Nancy, and his entire family in this difficult time.

"Chuck was one of the finest CEOs in all of sport and his leadership of USA Swimming has made it the premier national governing body in the Olympic movement. Chuck's selflessness, compassion, and intelligence have been hallmarks of his work with the staff, board of directors, athletes, coaches, and volunteers of USA Swimming."

Scott Blackmun, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO

"Chuck Wielgus was an impactful and respected leader in the U.S. Olympic movement. During his tenure at USA Swimming, American swimmers enjoyed more success and more support than ever before. He had a passion for his work and cared deeply about sport. Chuck fought a long and hard battle with amazing grace and optimism, and will be missed."

Wielgus is survived by his wife, Nancy, his daughters, Savannah and Shelby, and sons, Chip and Tommy, as well as four grandchildren.

FloSwimming's thoughts and prayers are with his family.