West Wake News

CARY, N.C. (July 2, 2024) – The North Carolina Courage will celebrate an Olympic sendoff this Sunday, July 7, during their home match against Racing Louisville. The match will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET and tickets are available.

USA Swimming, which is training in Cary this week, will be present during the match. Olympians from both the Courage and Louisville teams will be honored on the field following the final whistle.

Several members of USA Swimming’s Olympic team will attend the event on Sunday. Olympic Gold Medalists and 2024 qualifiers Ryan Held and Chase Kalisz; North Carolina State University head swimming coach and USA Swimming assistant coach Braden Holloway; World Championships medalist and 2024 Olympic qualifier Katharine Berkoff; and para-athlete Hannah Aspden will participate in a pregame panel for local swimmers. These Olympians will also be recognized on the field at halftime.

“As the Olympic Games draw near, the excitement within our community is palpable. This global event brings the world together to celebrate athletic excellence and unites us in local pride and enthusiasm. Giving our team a proper sendoff is a testament to our support and belief in their abilities, serving as a powerful reminder that they carry the hopes and dreams of their hometowns with them. It’s a moment of collective spirit and encouragement, symbolizing the strength and unity of our community,” Holloway said.

Kids aged 12 and under receive free admission to this match, as well as all home fixtures through Labor Day Weekend, according to an announcement by the club Monday. Swimming events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 27, at Paris La Defense Arena.

The North Carolina Courage are in their eighth season of competition in 2024 since beginning play in the National Women’s Soccer League (USSF Division I) in 2017. The Courage were formed after Steve Malik purchased the Western New York Flash franchise and relocated it to Cary, North Carolina. They play their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage are notable for having claimed seven league trophies: three-time NWSL Shield winners (2017, 2018, 2019), two-time NWSL Champions (2018, 2019), two-time UKG NWSL Challenge Cup champions (2022, 2023), along with winning the ICC Championship in 2018.

USA Swimming serves as the National Governing Body for swimming in the United States with a membership base of approximately 400,000 individuals ranging from age group swimmers to Olympians along with coaches and volunteers. It promotes swimming culture by creating opportunities for participants from various backgrounds through clubs, events, and educational initiatives while also being responsible for selecting teams for international competitions including the Olympics.

For more information about these organizations visit www.nccourage.com or www.usaswimming.org respectively.