After a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, big leadership changes are coming to USA Swimming, sources say. Sports Illustrated. CEO Tim Hinchey and national team manager Lindsay Mintenko are expected to leave the organization soon, although nothing has been officially announced.
The United States has won more swimming medals (28) and more medals (eight) than any other country, but those numbers fall short of what has become a standard American Olympic performance. It was the fewest medals for US swimming since 1988 and the fewest since 2004, and there are three more events on the Olympic schedule than that.
That follows America’s poor performance at the 2023 world championships, where Australia won the gold medal 13-7. There were some within the national swimming community who wanted a change from that meeting, but USA Swimming stood its ground. As we enter the Olympic cycle that will conclude with the Summer Games on home soil in Los Angeles, the rush to improve is already there.
Mintenko, who has been in his position since 2017, has already informed his teammates that he intends to leave USA Swimming, sources say. Money is sitting on Mintenko’s table for US competition, and recent results make it difficult to come back.
Mintenko’s lack of experience and general leadership experience were viewed as obstacles by many in USA Swimming’s leadership. In the past that position was filled by former coaches who provided hands-on feedback to swimmers and coaching staff at the pool table.
Hinchey, who held the position of CEO since 2017, his contract will be renewed in ’25. Hinchey and the board must explain whether they intend to move forward with a new deal by Sept. 30, but a decision by both sides to explore other options appears to be in place, sources said.
He was a fictional salesman, leading the incredible move of the US Olympic Trials from the basketball court in Omaha to the NFL site in Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium. That resulted in big crowds and good feelings from the swimmers, and probably cemented the event as a stadium-sized event going forward. (The 2028 Olympic swimming competition will be held at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.)
Whether the event was a financial success is another matter. But Hinchey’s fate had much to do with America’s performance in Paris, and it was far from adequate.
The women did well, winning five gold medals, four of them in individual events: Katie Ledecky in the 800 meters and 1,500 freestyle; Kate Douglass in the 200 breaststroke and Torri Huske in the 100 butterfly. The quartet of Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh and Huske also set a world record in the 400 medley relay on the final day of competition.
But the men were in danger of being shut out for the first time since 1900 until Bobby Finke pulled out a victory in the final event of the meet, the 1,500 free. Their other gold was in the 400 freestyle relay on the first night of the meet, and their silver medal in the 400 medley relay marked the first time in Olympic history that the US did not win that race.
There was dissension within USA Swimming’s team membership and coaching ranks as well. The Coaches Advisory Council recently wrote a letter expressing “lack of faith in our current leadership at USA Swimming,” and the American Swimming Coaches Association also expressed concern.
Where USA Swimming goes next as a national team manager will be an interesting decision. The most successful trainer in the country, Bob Bowman, is definitely not on the market.
The man who coached Michael Phelps to 23 gold medals recently coached Frenchman Leon Marchand to four, and the 22-year-old Marchand may be in the prime of his life. In addition, Bowman recently took over the Texas swimming job, which he would not give up before he started.
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