Help Send Anna to World University Games 2023

Dear Family, Friends, Quaker Supporters, and all others,

I am raising money to pursue an amazing opportunity that will be the culmination of years of hard work and determination! I have been selected to represent the USA Swim Team at this summer's World University Games in Chengdu, China from July 28-August 8. This is an incredible honor and once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent the U.S. as one of only 18 women and 18 men who will be representing our country as part of the USA Swim Team.

The World University Games is an international competition bringing together athletes from all around the globe. There will be approximately 300 American athletes in the delegation competing in 18 different sports. In total, there will be more than 10,000 student-athletes from at least 100 different countries, and more than 300 million people will tune in to watch the games live!

As a member of this USA swim team, I will become the first University of Pennsylvania female swimmer to ever compete for the U.S. at a major international competition! This is a great opportunity not only for me but for the University of Pennsylvania and the Swim & Dive program. As some of you know, swimming has been a key part of my life for 16 years. It has allowed me to attend UPenn, work with amazing coaches and athletes, and give back to my community and Quaker nation. The Covid pandemic put a temporary hold on my training but I have been able to recover. I have been working hard for a long time to qualify for meets like this; making NCAA's in the 500 and 1650 freestyle and becoming an All-American was an enormous step forward, and to have this opportunity to represent my country with the USA flag on my cap is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid!

Normally, this competition is covered by USA Swimming, however, due to a lack of funding, this year is pay your own way. My goal is to raise $5,500 to cover the expenses associated with the trip that USA Swimming is not covering for the swimming delegation this year. Those expenses include flights, lodging, and meals.

I would be forever grateful if you would be willing to support me in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent our country this summer at the World University Games in Chengdu, China. It would mean the world to me to have your help.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me by phone or email.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and go Quakers!

-Anna Kalandadze