Charles (Chuck) Wielgus

2010 Great Comebacks^® Award Recipient, West Region

At the age of 56, Chuck Wielgus led an active life – serving as Executive Director of USA Swimming^®, traveling the globe, playing recreational basketball, swimming, golfing and biking. Consequently, when he was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer, he was terrified that it would be the end of his active lifestyle - even if he survived it.

Chuck immediately began radiation and chemotherapy and underwent ostomy surgery. In addition to struggling physically from the side effects of his treatment, he also struggled mentally, wondering what would become of his physical abilities if he survived, especially because he was constantly surrounded by athletes who were in the best shape of their lives.

Yet, it was ultimately his swimming family and his wife Nancy who provided the inspiration he needed to regain his fighting spirit. “My physical strength and emotions were challenged,” says Chuck, “but they never let me feel sorry for myself and inspired me to keep going forward.”

After a year of treatment, Chuck went into remission but developed peripheral neuropathy—permanent damage to the nerves in his hands and feet—due to the radiation. He refused, however, to let that hinder him from getting back in shape and gradually began to participate in many of the physical activities he loved.

In 2008, Chuck traveled to China with the U.S. Swim Team for the Beijing Olympic Games. In fact, he has not let his cancer or ostomy keep him from his professional duties, which include being on the road approximately 25 weekends a year in the U.S. and abroad. “Having an ostomy does not keep me from anything I want to do or need to do,” says Chuck.

Now, 60 years old, Chuck lives in Colorado Springs, CO, and is as active as ever. In addition to his role with USA Swimming^®, he is the Chief Executive Officer of the USA Swimming Foundation^®, a national child-focused water safety initiative. Last year, he also received the Nadar Por Vida Award for promoting diversity in swimming.

With his busy schedule, Chuck tries to spend as much time as he can with his four children, Christopher, Thomas, Savannah, Shelby, and grandson Wes. He is looking forward to taking on the responsibility of helping others through sharing his personal story of triumph. “My illness has made me much more patient, tolerant and understanding and I now look for ways to reach out and support others who are confronting physical and emotional challenges.”