Gutter Talk: What Are You Most Grateful For In Swimming? International Stars Weigh In

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Gutter Talk: What Are You Most Grateful For In Swimming? International Stars Weigh In

In this month’s edition of Gutter Talk, some of the sport’s stars weighed in on what they are most grateful for from the sport of swimming.

KATE DOUGLASS, USA
2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist in 200 IM

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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

I guess I’m most grateful for the people that I’ve met, definitely the relationships that I’ve made because there are so many people that, without swimming, obviously I wouldn’t know. Also probably my work ethic and my time management abilities because obviously being a student-athlete is difficult. I think after swimming, I’m going to be very well prepared for the real world.

LEWIS CLAREBURT, NEW ZEALAND
2020 Olympic Finalist in 400 IM

I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made through swimming and the lifelong friends I have all around the world.

LUKE GREENBANK, GREAT BRITAIN
2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist in 200 Backstroke

For me, it’s the opportunities it’s given me to meet new people, travel the world and represent my country on the world stage, all while doing what I love.

KASIA WASICK, POLAND
2022 World Championships Silver Medalist in 50 Freestyle

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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

I’m grateful for the opportunities swimming gave me. It granted me four years of training and studying at the University of Southern California, trips to multiple Olympic Games and best of all, the privilege of being able to meet so many inspiring people from all over the world.

NICHOLAS SANTOS, BRAZIL
Four-Time Short Course World Champion in 50 Butterfly

I think through sport, we develop and learn to behave in line with human and moral values. It taught me:

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Nicholas Santos; Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu / ISL

• To deal with defeat, but not think it was normal
• That frustration is not permanent
• To respect my opponents, but not weaken
• To be persistent, but not insistent
• To develop my mind control in important situations
• To understand my body’s signals, and the most important thing:
• That discipline is freedom.

I’ve traveled in over 40 different countries and experienced different cultures, and I’ve made a lot of friends along the way.

LARA VAN NIEKERK, SOUTH AFRICA
2022 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist in 50 and 100 Breaststroke

I would say the people I meet along the way and my coach who I’ve been with for 11 years.

REECE WHITLEY, USA
2022 NCAA Champion in 400 Medley Relay

For me, what I’m most grateful for in swimming is the community that I’ve been exposed to. Whether at Penn Charter as a young swimmer or Cal as a student-athlete, the culture of tightly knit families has been quite formative in my progression inside and outside of the water. Now with friends at all levels in various sports, I’ve come to appreciate that there truly is no community like the swim community—in all of the best ways.

KATIE DRABOT, USA
2019 World Championships Bronze Medalist in 200 Butterfly

100% the memories I made with my teammates and the places I was able to travel to.

JAMIE YEUNG, HONG KONG
2020 Olympian

I’m most grateful for the confidence, passion, determination and lifestyle it gave me!

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Dr Bruce Lawrie
Dr Bruce Lawrie
1 year ago

Interesting perspectives, thanks.

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