All are welcome to attend the event where Armstong will speak of his Olympic and worldwide experiences. Armstrong, a Dover, Ohio, native, is the world record holder in the long course 50 meter backstroke and won a gold medal in the 4×100 meter medley relay at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The event is sponsored by the Barnesville Summer Swim Team, Barnesville Memorial Park and Belmont County Summer Swim League.

Bobbi Jo Johnson, coach for the summer swim team and swim coach at Barnesville High School, said the event is meant to inspire local youth.

“The (Barnesville) high school has swam at the Dover Invite for the past 21 years, so we have a relationship with Dover (High School). When we found out he (Armstrong) had won a gold medal, I thought, ‘We have to do something.’ Swimming is not one of those premiere sports, and we just thought the kids needed to see somebody that was out there in a world situation doing big things, coming from a little pond to a great big pool,” she said.

“He’ll talk about what he’s done, where he came from, and how he got to where he is.”

Johnson said four of her senior and junior swimmers made it to the district tournament last season at Ohio State University. When they saw Armstrong at the meet, they were awestruck.

“Hunter at that time was at Ohio State University. When you get to swim at Ohio State pool it’s kind of a big to do, and he was there with his medal on. They were in awe. They were all able to get their pictures taken with him,” she said.

She said she figured that Armstrong coming to the village for a visit would be a great experience for others in the community as well. Those in attendance will be able to get their picture taken with Armstrong, as well as his autograph.

Johnson said she is hoping for a favorable turnout. As of now, she said she is unsure if there will be 20 people or 200.

“We’ve invited all the OVAC swim teams and we’ve invited everyone in our sectionals all the way to Zanesville. Hopefully we’ll get some kids from other schools that want to come see him,” she said, adding that everyone and anyone is invited to attend.

The event is slated for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Barnesville Memorial Park pool. Admission is a non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local food bank.

“We just thought it wasn’t necessary to charge money, and we also wanted to know that something we did went out to the community because the community is always very supportive of our summer team,” she said.

Johnson said the event will take place rain or shine. If rain does occur, it will be moved into the youth center.

Following the presentation, the pool will be open for swimming.