Two Olympic swimmers visit NOVA of Virginia Aquatics at team event held in Henrico

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Two local Olympians spoke with swimmers from NOVA of Virginia Aquatics at a team event held in Henrico County on Saturday. Olympic swimmers Townley Haas, who competed in the 2016 and 2021 games, and Charlie Swanson, who competed in 2024, spoke at a team event held for NOVA swimmers at the Regency Mall on Saturday, Oct. 5. Julie Farney with NOVA of Virginia Aquatics said the event was held to celebrate the Olympians' successes and have them share their incites with NOVA swimmers. Olympic swimmers Townley Haas and Charlie Swanson speak at a team event held for NOVA swimmers at the Regency Mall on Saturday, Oct. 5. (Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)(Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)(Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)Olympic swimmer Charlie Swanson speaking at a team event held for NOVA swimmers at the Regency Mall on Saturday, Oct. 5. (Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)(Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)Olympic swimmers Townley Haas and Charlie Swanson pose for a picture after speaking to NOVA swimmers at the Regency Mall on Saturday, Oct. 5. (Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)(Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)Swimmer Townley Haas' gold medal from the 2016 Summer Olympics. (Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News)Olympic swimmer Charlie Swanson's medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo: Jakobi Davis, 8News) Farney said the Olympians talked about their time at NOVA, the things that they have learned through swimming and their favorite memories at the Olympics. "Swimming is a tough sport. Our kids spend a lot of time in the pool. They can get down on themselves and inspiration like this, making the Olympics, is really every swimmer's dream, and its great to hear swimmers from your own club who have done that," Farney said. Lori Haas, board member at NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, said NOVA is important to her family as both of her sons have been positively impacted by the swimming club. Haas' son Townley, is a two-time Olympic swimmer, and her other son, Wyatt, is a full-time coach at NOVA. "NOVA helped my boys grow up, learn self discipline, learn goal-setting and commitment, and I have two fine young men that I am very, very proud of," Haas said. PREVIOUSLY: Three Virginia athletes win gold with USA Swimming Olympic Team at 2024 Paris Olympics For more about NOVA of Virginia Aquatics and its programs, visit its website.