Podium Potpourri: Hali Flickinger Has Piled Up An Impressive Collection of International Medals

Podium Potpourri: Hali Flickinger Has Piled Up An Impressive Collection of International Medals

The USA’s Hali Flickinger, who starred at the University of Georgia (three-time NCAA team champions in 2013, 2014 and 2016) before moving to train with Coach Bob Bowman in Tempe, Ariz., won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in both the 200 butterfly and 400 IM. She also competed at the 2016 Games in the 200 fly and finished seventh.

Her résumé includes eight additional medals at major international meets between 2017 and 2022 (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze):

World Championships (LC)—gold, 4 x 200 freestyle relay, 2017 Budapest and 2022 Budapest; silver, 200 butterfly, 2019 Gwangju and 2022 Budapest
World Championships (SC)—gold, 400 IM, 2022 Melbourne; silver, 200 butterfly, 2022 Melbourne; bronze, 4 x 200 freestyle relay, 2022 Melbourne
Pan Pacific Championships—gold, 200 butterfly, 2018 Tokyo

Flickinger is one of the most versatile swimmers in the world, qualifying in the most events for the Tokyo Olympic Trials.

WHAT IS YOUR PUMP-UP SONG BEFORE YOU GET BEHIND THE BLOCKS OR WHILE YOU’RE IN THE READY ROOM? WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE SONG THAT SPEAKS TO YOU?

I’ve always loved any sort of Kesha song! Her songs just speak fun to me and make me want to dance and relax.

WAS THERE ANOTHER SPORT YOU PARTICIPATED IN WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? ANY MEMORIES STAND OUT?

I was in gymnastics and volleyball. The one thing that stood out to me about volleyball was the team aspect. You relied on your teammates to make plays, and you always had to communicate.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND/OR BOOK? WHY?

Crazy Rich Asians—just a simple lighthearted movie that I can watch over and over again.

COMPARE YOURSELF TO A SUPERHERO—WHICH ONE AND WHY?

Not going to lie: I’m not “super” into superheroes…but if there was one that strives for kindness, that would be mine. But I guess it would be all of them in some way because I always strive to serve others whenever I can!

WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR MEDALS?

My drawer.

WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND ON THE PODIUM IN TOKYO?

A whole mixture of emotions—some good like pride and honor, and some not so great.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE MAKING THE TOKYO TEAM IN TWO EVENTS? DID THEY FEEL DIFFERENT (AS FAR AS EXPECTATIONS)?

Making it in two events meant a lot to me. It made me feel like I really, really belonged and that I had proven myself a little bit more than I had felt previously.

WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO FOOD TO CELEBRATE AFTER A BIG MEET?

Ice cream!

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