10 Motivational Quotes From Our Swimming Stars

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By Seren Jones, Swimming World College Intern

With just a few hours left of 2014, what better way to enter the new year with 10 motivational quotes from our swimming stars. If anybody can motivate us college swimmers, it’s these guys.

10 Motivational Quotes From Our Swimming Stars

1. “If there is a dream or a goal that you want you have to go for it 100%. Give all you have for the goals that you have.” – Alia Atkinson

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Alia Atkinson became the first black female and Jamaican to earn a world title when she tied the world record at the 2014 FINA Short Course World Championships in Doha, Qatar. The Jamaican clocked a 1:02.36 and became the new face of minority swimming, alongside the likes of Cullen Jones and Lia Neal.

2. “So many people along the way, whatever it is you aspire to do, will tell you it can’t be done. But all it takes is imagination. You dream. You plan. You reach.” – Michael Phelps

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Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

Although I don’t really have to report the success of America’s most decorated Olympic athlete, Phelps first appeared at the Games back in 2000 in Sydney, Australia at only 15 years of age. 14 years on, he has earned 22 Olympic medals: 18 gold, two silver, and two bronze; the most ever in Olympic history.

3. “I just felt like I can try to do something special.” – Chad Le Clos

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Photo Courtesy: Maria Dobysheva

The South African native is known to be the only swimmer to defeat the Olympic and World Champion, Michael Phelps, in the 200m butterfly. The Olympic, World, and Commonwealth Games Champion admitted that he’d dreamed of beating Phelps as a kid. By doing so in London 2012, he proved that you should never put a limit on your dreams.

4. “Success isn’t final, failure isn’t fatal, it’s courage that counts.” – Alicia Coutts

Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr

After London 2012 the Australian superstar returned to her motherland with five gold medals, matching the tally of Ian Thorpe and Shane Gould. Coutts has won 21 medals for Australia in major championships during the past four years. This success saw her awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to sport in 2014.

5. “It’s what you do with the rough patches that will define the athlete that you’ll become.” – Dana Vollmer

Dana Vollmer in the Deck Pass area of the Fan Zone.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Dana Vollmer left the London Olympics with three gold medals and new world records in the 100m butterfly (55.98) and the 400 medley relay. Vollmer is also the ambassador of the American Heart Association. Vollmer’s previous experience with heart conditions certainly didn’t stop her from becoming the world’s fastest female flyer.

6. “It’s not who’s put up the fastest time in the world that year, or who’s put up the fastest time in the previous four years, but who can get their hand on the wall first today.” – Nathan Adrian

Photo Courtesy: Mike Comer/ProSwimVisuals.com

Nathan Adrian is a three-time Olympic Gold medallist and currently holds the national records in the freestyle dash events. The nation’s top sprinter clocked an incredible 47.52 at the London Olympics securing first place. Once his swimming career comes to an end, Adrian plans on continuing his hard work in the medical field by becoming a doctor.

7. “There are younger, stronger swimmers coming up and they are hungry. I can’t influence what they do, I only know what I can do and I know how greedy I am to defend my title.” – Kirsty Coventry

Photo Courtesy: Pamela Roberts

At the age of nine, Kirsty Coventry decided that she wanted to go to the Olympics. Today, she is known as Zimbabwe’s most decorated athlete. During her career, the former world record holder has earned seven Olympic medals, as well as numerous titles at the Commonwealth and African Games.

8. “The water doesn’t know your age.” – Dara Torres

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The five-time Olympic athlete is arguably the fastest female swimmer in the nation. By the time she turned 41 (yes, 41) Torres had collected 12 Olympic medals throughout her career, not to mention that she had given birth to her first child at age 39. Torres is the author of her memoir, “Age is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams at Any Stage in Your Life,” and is currently a motivational speaker.

9. “There is no single way to train, or do anything well. You have to keep thinking, keep doing things.” – Alexander Dale Oen

Photo Courtesy: Presse Sports-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Dale Oen was the face of swimming for Norway. Oen made a splash in swimming history at the Long Course European Championships in 2008 when he became the first Norwegian to medal at a major international meet. Oen tragically passed away in 2012 due to a sudden heart attack.

10. “Have fun, because that’s what life is all about.” – Ryan Lochte

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

We could definitely use the wise words of the nation’s favorite dreamboat. Having claimed 11 Olympic medals and multiple world records, he is considered to be one of the nation’s best athletes and biggest heart throbs.

Seren Jones is a junior butterfly/backstroker from Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. The Metropolitan Conference individual champion grew up swimming for The City of Cardiff Swimming Club, and qualified for the Great Britain Olympic Trials in 2012.

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Dunc1952

9 years ago

LeClos #3 — Please adjust; LeClos defeated Phelps in London in the 200 Fly, not the 100.

AR1964

9 years ago

If Alia is from Jamaica, how can she be the new face of African-American swimming? It was a phenomenal win by her.

Sham

9 years ago

Kirsty Coventry – 4 olympic medals? Try 7 individual Olympic Medals – not just Zimbabwe’s top athlete but Africa’s top Olympian and one of the top olympic swimmers of all time.

Lewis

9 years ago

Alicia Coutts had 5 medals of all colors in London, NOT 5 gold medals. Big difference there buddy. In fact, Australia only won a single gold in swimming and there was a huge controversy that led to a shake up of coaching there and an investigation.