FINA World Championships Top Quotes: Day Two

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Check out quotes and audio interviews from athletes who posted impressive performances on the second day of the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary!

“I’m still 1.5 seconds ahead of the rest of the world. I’m very happy with that. It’s not the time—it’s the way I did it. It’s the 26.5 that looks promising to me. Not many people can go out in 26.5 and come back. Nobody but me has been under 26.6 in the 50. The way I swam it is very encouraging for the future.” — Adam Peaty (GBR), on not breaking the world record in 100 breast (gold, 57.47 CR)

“I just find the Great British flag very motivating. As soon as I look at that in the crowd, it’s game-time.” — Peaty, on his motivation one year after the Olympic Games

“I didn’t get to swim it in ’15, so I’m definitely excited to start off the meet like this. It builds a lot of confidence, definitely coming off the Olympic year.” — Kevin Cordes (USA), on winning his first major international medal in the 100 breast (silver, 58.79)

“I didn’t know what to expect today—I was very tired after my four races yesterday on the first day. It’s hard to know how the feeling was today. I was very excited before the race, and I couldn’t wait to start. It felt like the last 10 minutes before the race were going on forever.” — Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), after women’s 100 fly final (gold, 55.53 CR)

I was hoping for a time under 52, but I did not think I was going to be that much under. It felt so good yesterday in the first leg in the relay. I guess it’s a bit easier when you go for the world record in the relay instead of going for the world record in the World Championship final.” — Sjostrom, on her 100 free WR leading off 400 free relay (51.71)

“It’s just incredible. I’ve been just praying so much after last summer. That was really stressful last night in the semi-final. I knew I had what it takes, but after being ninth last year, it was really hard… I’m just really grateful to have gotten my hand on the wall third.” — Kelsi Worrell (USA), after women’s 100 fly final (bronze, 56.37)

“I think overall I can’t really complain. The race is over—I can’t change anything… I think that this year’s been kind of tough with injuries and everything. It’s not the best year that I could have had, but considering I could still come fourth at Worlds, I’m pretty happy with myself.” — Penny Oleksiak (CAN), after women’s 100 fly final (fourth, 56.94)

“It’s not much different than last year. It’s always good to have competition.” — Ryan Murphy (USA), on Xu Jiayu qualifying first for men’s 100 back final

“You don’t really want to put yourself in the game mentally every time, especially if it’s a longer meet with relays and 50s and stuff… (In the final), just let the natural routine take over. Get excited, focus, picture the perfect race over and over, and come out here and execute it.” — Matt Grevers (USA), after men’s 100 back semi-final (qualified third, 52.97)

“This is my first Worlds final as it is. I’m excited to race these guys who have been world record-holders.” — Grigory Tarasevich (RUS), after men’s 100 back semi-final (qualified fifth, 53.06)

“I’m their teammate everywhere. Watching them here is very exciting for me… If they can go fast, then I can go fast. I’ve been training with them.” — Tarasevich, on Louisville teammates Worrell and Mallory Comerford winning medals

“I went a best time by a half-second. I think I have a little bit left in the tank yet. I haven’t shaved yet.” — Lilly King (USA), after 100 breast semi-final (qualified second, 1:04.53)

“I always look at the results of the previous heat. I saw the finger wag. It just motivates me.” — King, on Yulia Efimova’s 1:04.36 in the previous 100 breast heat

“Obviously it’s an amazing time. I saw her the last five meters, and I was hoping she was going fast because that would mean I was going fast, too.” — Katie Meili (USA), on Efimova’s swim in 100 breast semi-final (Meili qualified fourth, 1:05.48).

“I think 15 meters out I lost my tempo. You can’t make mistakes in the 50. I made one, and I paid for it.” — Caeleb Dressel (USA), after men’s 50 fly final (fourth, 22.89)

The 100 is such a quick race, and the smallest things can sometimes hinder or improve… I think if I go out the same 50 speed and just work on my last 50 and my last 15 into the wall, maybe that would help. — Kylie Masse (CAN), on her continued pursuit of the 100 back world record (qualified first for finals, 58.18)

“It’s been there for so long, so it’d be good to see it go.” — Emily Seebohm (AUS), on Masse almost breaking 100 back WR (Seebohm qualified second, 58.85)

“I’ve always been a 200 swimmer. I had that (100 free) individual swim in Rio last year, so that became slightly more of the focus. In 2014, I broke onto that Scottish team, and in 2015 in Kazan, it’s always been the 200 free in that perspective of things, and that’s what I train for, so I’m delighted that it’s come through.” — Duncan Scott (GBR), after men’s 200 free semi-finals (qualified first, 1:45.16)

“I’ll probably warm down a lot, and I’ll probably warm up a little bit more tomorrow.” — Townley Haas (USA), on how he will improve from 200 free semi-finals (qualified fourth, 1:45.43)

“I know I’m always behind the front half of the race. I just had to keep my head in the game, know what my plan for the race was, stick to it and keep on pushing as hard as I could.” — Madisyn Cox, after women’s 200 IM final (bronze, 2:09.71)

“This means it’s another step forward. It means it’s another step in the right direction. I still have to go home and work even harder this time to move myself even higher. It’s a good stepping stone. I’m right where I want to be, and I have to keep moving forward from that.” — Cox, on what the race means for her career

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