The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly formally commended Lydia Jacoby for her success at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo via legislation approved during their Tuesday night meeting in Soldotna. Jacoby, 17, is a rising senior at Seward High School and won a gold medal for Team USA during the women’s 100-meter breaststroke last week.
Jacoby also raced in the Olympics’ inaugural 400-meter mixed medley relay, where she and Team USA placed fifth, and the 400-meter women’s mixed medley relay, where she and Team USA won silver.
“Lydia Jacoby contributes her success not only to her coaches and swim club, but to Seward and the greater Alaska community,” the resolution says.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Pierce said during Tuesday’s meeting that assembly member Kenn Carpenter, who represents Seward, will take the commending resolution and present it to Jacoby during a meeting of the Seward City Council.
Jacoby has arrived back in Alaska, according to a post shared by Ted Stevens International Airport.
A celebratory parade for Jacoby will be held in Seward on Thursday, Aug. 5, the Seward Tsunami Swim Club announced on Facebook. According to the parade map, the parade will start at the intersection of Van Buren Street and Third Avenue and will head toward the Alaska SeaLife Center, where it will zig-zag before ending near the Harbor Master Station. Face masks are encouraged to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Jacoby will be aboard a Kenai Fjords Tours boat beyond the culvert at Scheffler Creek Bridge at 7 p.m. to answer questions. Questions can be submitted in advance to gnipp@kenaifjords.com.
More information on the event can be found on the Seward Tsunami Swim Club’s Facebook page.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
