Chuck Wielgus, the longest-tenured but somewhat embattled executive director or USA Swimming, will retire August 31, 2017.
The announcement comes less than a year after the organization extended Wielgus' contract to the 2020 Olympics.
At the time of his departure, Wielgus will have reached his 20-year anniversary.
"This has been a long and difficult decision because I love USA Swimming and I have always approached my role with enthusiasm and passion," Wielgus said in a press release. "... I am confident that the work we have done these past two decades has established a firm foundation upon which future growth can occur."
Wielgus is not only the most tenured chief executive of USA Swimming, but of all U.S. Olympic sports.
He did not give a reason for retiring, however it is known that he has been battling colorectal cancer for 10 years and continues to receive treatment.
USA Swimming credits Wielgus with many improvements to the organization, including turning its Olympic trials into world-class events, creating the USA Swimming Foundation, doubling its membership, and increasing revenues by 600 percent.
However, he has been widely criticized for his handling of cases involving sexual abuse by coaches. Victims' advocates and attorneys accused him and USA Swimming of protecting the coaches before looking for the good of the swimmers.
