There is no trash in the streets. Educating youth about other cultures was the goal when President Dwight Eisenhower founded the People to People Ambassadors program in 1956. Since 1963, it has sent more than 11,000 kids ages 9-18 overseas to serve as youth ambassadors in both education and sports. In addition to swimming, sports programs range from baseball and basketball to football and soccer. People to People Sports participants also attend clinics related to their sport during the trip to improve both their individual and team skills.
Swimmers have a chance to compete in at least three meets after completing the clinics.
Roper swam in seven races and earned a third place medal for his team effort in a 400-meter relay. Participation in the People to People programs is by invitation only. Roper and his family are not even sure who nominated him to the People to People program. The initial letter inviting him to apply was a surprise for them and they still puzzle over how he came to the program's attention. After completing an application and phone interview, he was accepted into the program in mid March.