Wielgus’ contract was due to come to an end after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but it will now stretch beyond Tokyo 2020.

The American joined USA Swimming in his current role in July 1997 and is the longest-tenured current chief executive of an Olympic national governing body.

During his 18-year term, Wielgus has led USA Swimming through an extended period of growth with membership surpassing 400,000 and organisational revenues and net worth more than doubling, it is claimed.

"Chuck's leadership and vision have elevated swimming to a premier position among Olympic sports and made USA Swimming a leader among youth sports organisations," said USA Swimming President Jim Sheehan.

"We are excited he will continue that work for the more than 400,000 members of USA Swimming and guide us to even higher places."

Under Wielgus’ leadership, the United States have won 123 swimming medals across the last four Olympic Games, including 54 golds.

Financial support to USA Swimming national team athletes and coaches has also increased significantly.

"It has been my honour and privilege to serve our sport and to work with an extraordinary legion of athletes, coaches, officials, staff and volunteers," Wielgus said.

"I’m inspired every day when I arrive at the US Olympic Training Center or have the opportunity to meet with our members around the country, and my enthusiasm for the future of swimming is greater than ever."

In June 2014, Wielgus released his first public apology since USA Swimming’s sexual abuse scandal came to light four years earlier.

He had been in the middle of a very public battle between himself and the victims at the hands of swim coaches, culminating with his withdrawal from the 2014 International Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Although not directly involved in any of the abuse, Wielgus had been criticised for allegedly turning a blind eye to the scandal within USA Swimming with an online petition set up to bring about his removal.

Writing in his blog, Wielgus apologised for his actions in the four years since claiming in a television interview that he did not owe the sexual abuse victims an apology.

In an interview with Swimming World last year, Wielgus described it as a "poor performance" on his part and stressed that the Safe Sport Programme implemented by USA Swimming has made the organisation aware that it needs to be accountable for all members.

Wielgus also spearheaded the creation of the USA Swimming Foundation, for which he has served as chief executive officer since its inception in 2004.

Through its "Make a Splash" initiative, the Foundation has the goal of teaching every child in America to swim. 

Wielgus has received honours from the American Swimming Coaches Association, College Swimming Coaches Association of America and El Pomar Foundation, and earned the first-ever Association of Chief Executives of Sport (ACES) Chief Executive Leadership Award in 2015.