Olympian takes to Hill for MD research

American winner of eight swimming gold medals Michael Phelps (2nd R) attends a photocall for the Speedo Athlete Media Day fellow U.S. team member Ryan Lochte (2nd L) and Australian swimmers Eamon Sullivan (L) and Grant Hackett (R) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 19, 2008. (Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

by Laura Olson
Swimmer Ryan Lochte, a four-time medalist at the Beijing Olympics, lent his medals and celebrity Tuesday to Capitol Hill efforts to fight muscular dystrophy.

Lochte spent the day meeting with congressional leaders, including Illinois's Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, about reauthorizing legislation to fund research on the genetic disease.

"It's an honor and a privilege to give back and help out the awareness," said Lochte, his four Beijing medals, including two gold ones, clinking against each other.

Lochte, 24, said his uncle's brother suffered from the disease, and he was inspired by watching his uncle's work for the cause. Lochte said he is donating a portion of his endorsement earnings to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, an organization focused on individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

He said the lawmakers he met with voiced enthusiasm for the legislation. Durbin was impressed by the group's efforts and offered to help them, said Durbin spokeswoman Christina Mulka.

Lochte, from Gainesville, Fla., was joined by two victims of the disease as he talked with lawmakers about the need for a cure.

"Boys like me probably won't get the chance to swim in the Olympics," 13-year-old Michael Gaglianone of New Jersey said as Lochte slipped one of his medals around the boy's neck. "Please don't let us lose our hope."

Legislation was approved in 2001 that allowed the National Institutes of Health to establish research centers to fight muscular dystrophy. Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) introduced the original bill and was a vocal supporter of the research until his death in 2002.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) have introduced legislation that would authorize funding for several research centers through 2012.

"Unfortunately Ryan moves a little faster than the legislative process," Engel said. "Having him here is a reminder that we need to move a little bit faster."