International Women's Sports HOF Inducts 4, Honors 3

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NEW YORK, NY (October 16, 2006) – The Women's Sports Foundation in New York City inducted two swimmers, a coach and a track star on October 16th into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.

Swimmers Diana Nyad and Shane Gould joined former Iowa women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer and former Iowa State track star Nawal El Moutawakel at the ceremonies.

Nyad is among the greatest long-distance swimmers in history and set numerous world records. In 1979, she completed the longest swim in history, finishing the 102.5-mile journey from the island of Bimini to Florida in two grueling days. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1986 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2003.

At the 1972 Summer Olympics, in Munich, the Australian-born Gould won three gold medals and set world records in each race. She also won a bronze and a silver medal. In 1973 she retired from professional swimming at the age of 16.

Stringer, who is now head coach at Rutgers, led Cheney State (1982), Iowa (1993) and Rutgers (2000) to the Final Four. She is the first coach to lead three different teams to the NCAA semifinals.

El Moutawakel won gold in the inaugural women's 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Women's Sports Foundation also named drag racer Melanie Troxel – the world's fastest female at 331 mph – as the individual sportswoman of the year. The foundation also chose pro beach volleyball players Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsch in the team category.

Founded in 1980, the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame recognizes female athletes and coaches who have made history in women's sports. Athletes from around the world are selected based on achievements, breakthroughs, innovative style and ongoing commitment to the development of women's sports. The athletes are segmented into two categories; Pioneer category for pre-1960 athletic achievements and the Contemporary category for post-1960 achievements.

To be eligible for nomination, athletes must be retired from her sport for at least five years. In 1990, the Hall of Fame introduced a Coach category. To be eligible for nomination, a woman must have coached in the United States and have at least 10 years of coaching experience. A nominee is evaluated on her: win-loss record, impact on the style of play or sport, number of years in coaching, number of outstanding athletes coached, record of mentoring and community service.

Excluding this year's new honorees, 98 members were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Inductees include Mildred "Babe" Didrikson - Zaharias, Althea Gibson, Billie Jean King, Wilma Rudolph, Flo Hyman and Mary Lou Retton. Pat Head Summit, Sharron Backus, Nell Jackson, Tara Van Derveer and Constance Applebee are members of the coach category.