Misty’s Diary (200 Fly Olympic Champion)

By Misty Hyman (after her incredible upset victory in the 200 Butterfly over world-record holder Susie O'Neill. She swam the second fastest time in history for the gold medal)

Dear Diary,

This is the first chance I have had to sit down and write about my olympic triumph. It has been a whirlwind of activity and fun since it happened. I
have been on the Today show three times, Bob Costas and Good Morning America. My favorite part is having my hair and makeup done! Next week I have many others. It is hard to believe that I did something so special. I am not used to all of this attention. Deep down I know that I am the same person I was before it happened, but now I have accomplished a feat that was beyond my wildest dreams. It has changed me, it is a moment that will stay with me always. It will give me confidence in the future, and pride forever.

I am so proud to have been able to put all the pieces together at the crucial moment.

Reflections on the race:

I remember being nervous all day long. Sometimes shaking, other times worrying that I wasn't eating the right thing or doing the right thing. I knew though, that I felt good in the water and that all I needed to do was to make it to the ready room. I didn't nap very well that day, just layed in bed.

When I got to the pool I had a great warm up. I didn't feel like I needed to do too much – I was just ready. All the preparation had been completed.

Richard walked me to the ready room, he said to go out there and shine. I knew what I needed to do. Swim my own race, in my own lane, just the way I had trained- with relaxed rhythm and a speed that was within myself, speed that I knew I could carry all day long. We had altered my race strategy changing the number of kicks that I do underwater. 9 kicks off the blocks, then 7, 6, 6 on each turn(at the trials I did 9 kicks off of every wall). We felt as though I was losing my momentum off the wall by kicking too far. The switch was right on, I didn't have to use a lot of energy
regenerating speed that I had lost underwater-I was now able to carry the speed through the transition from below to above water.

I knew that if I was swimming from my heart and trusting myself, great things would happen. I didn't think about beating Susie or the fact that I was
swimming in an Olympic final. I knew it was just a swim meet and that i had done a million, 200 butterflies. Somehow I knew that this time would be different. I was wearing the black long leg racing suit and my black silicon cap-it felt perfect. When I got to the ready room I was relaxed. I wasn't thinking too much. There was nothing I needed to do but be present and execute what I knew I could do. Richard had told me that he believed that I was capable of going 2:05-I knew he was right. I had done the training, I had worked on my skills, I had done everything possible to get ready!

Now it was time to have fun!
I walked out of the ready room, Kaitlin and I slapped hands. I nearly walked to the wrong lane. I looked up at all the people and felt completely at peace. I was confident that I belonged there and that it wasn't a big deal.

I was just going to share with the world the love and passion that I have for the sport and what I do every day. My Dad said I was smiling on the blocks.
I didn't feel a thing. I dove in, I remember being in the moment noticing the camara on the bottom of the pool and the way my legs felt in the brand new suit. When I made the last turn, I said to myslef I can do this! I felt as though I was getting stronger. It was a great feeling to be in control and relaxed. I really didn't know I was so far ahead. I knew the
best thing for me to do was to swim as fast as
I could in the race, the places would take care of themselves.

When I touched wall I couldn't believe it. It was like a dream-I guess it was written all over my face.
More on the medal ceremony later!

Misty

=================================================================

BOOK SPECIAL:

By A Fraction Of A Second – $16.95

A new book about nine American women swimmers as they face the challenge of a lifetime: making the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team. Experience the training, the hardships, the achievements, as well as the unexpected developments in the lives of Kristy Kowal, Lindsay Benko, Kristine Quance-Julian, Keiko Price and others during the year leading up to the 2000 trials. Includes photos.

A Must For Every Swimmer or Coach!

Order this book now, and be one of the first to get it on the Oct. 1, 2000 release date.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x