The first Donna de Varona appearance in the international competitive swimming was at the 1960 Summer Olympics. At 13, she was the youngest member of the US Swim team. In 1964, she won gold medals in the 400-meter individual medley and in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympics. That same year, she was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press and United Press International. By the time she was 17, she had broken 18 world records. She has the 400 Individual Medley, the 100 backstroke, and relay world records under her name.

Some of de Varona’s many awards include: The International Swimming Hall of Fame Gold Medallion, The Olympia Award for her contribution to the Olympic Movement, The Olympic Order, which is the highest award given by the International Olympic Committee, the 2002 Overcoming Obstacle Award, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Theodore Roosevelt (Teddy) Award.

She has also been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, US Olympic Hall of Fame, Bay Area Hall of Fame, San Jose Hall of Fame, and Woman’s Hall Of Fame.

Donna de Varona Speaker

Upon her retirement at the age of 17, de Varona decided to put her other skills into use while continuing to meet challenges and gain achievements. In 1965, she became the first female network sportscaster under ABC. As an ABC Sports on-air analyst, commentator, host, writer, and producer she was nominated for an Emmy Award for “Keepers of the Flame,” a TV special on the Olympics. She also received an Emmy for her story about a Special Olympian and won two consecutive Gracie Awards for her Sporting News Radio show, “Donna de Varona on Sports.” In 1968, she became the first woman to do television commentary at the Olympics. All these Donna de Varona speaker experiences and award-winning shows make her speaking appearances both insightful and professional.

Donna de Varona Appearance

Donna de Varona is a founding member of the Women’s Sports Foundation and served as its first president. The Women’s Sports Foundation is a charitable educational organization dedicated to ensuring equal access to participation and leadership opportunities for all girls and women in sports and fitness. She also served four terms on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and became chairman of the 1999 Women’s World Cup Soccer Tournament Organizing Committee, the most successful women’s sporting event in history. All these and her numerous leadership awards will definitely inspire and motivate your audience at your next corporate function. Contact TSE Speakers now to have us negotiate with her agent for a Donna de Varona appearance.

Donna de Varona Endorsement

With her impressive athletic credentials, wide knowledge in sports broadcasting, and steady advocacy for expanding women’s opportunity in sports, a Donna de Varona endorsement will definitely have a broad and lasting impact on many people. Contact TSE now and we will negotiate on your company’s behalf with Donna de Varona’s agent for a Donna de Varona endorsement.