Siobhan Haughey on Pursuit of Short Course World Records: ‘I Want to See What I Can Do’

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Siobhan Haughey on Pursuit of Short Course World Records: ‘I Want to See What I Can Do’

Siobhan Haughey is still not used to the limelight.

After two silver medals in Tokyo, she is the most decorated athlete in Hong Kong history – in any sport – and a national icon.

The former University of Michigan star does an extremely good job of balancing being a public figure, with still trying to stay out of the limelight and focus on her swimming, which has led to world championships and world records.

After all, swimming is what got her to this point, one of the top swimmers in the world heading into the 2022 FINA World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, and what her life revolves around.

That can be a lot of pressure, but Haughey remains the well-rounded person she has always been.

“One thing that is important for me is that I don’t see swimming as a job, just something I really enjoy doing. That is why I am willing to put in the hard work, and don’t get too caught up in the money situation,” Haughey told Swimming World. “Obviously, I needed it because it is my job at the end of the day, but the main focus is just remembering why you are doing this, and for me, it is because I really like swimming. I think it is important to stay focused and put in the hard work but not get too caught up in not getting swimming the times you want.”

That mental balance is something that not honly helps Haughey, but something she wants to see younger swimmers embrace, along with her work ethic.

“I think it is important, especially because in Hong Kong we don’t have a lot of swimmers at this professional level,” Haughey said. “Hopefully, I can set an example for the younger swimmers so there are more people willing to spend the time and energy to keep on persisting and then they can be Olympic medalists or even world champion.”

Haughey has won Olympic medals, owns a short-course world record (200 free, 1:50.31), and was one of the top college swimmers before turning pro. All of those things added another layer in Haughey’s transformation to one of the world’s elite.

“When I was in Hong Kong before college, my club coach built a really good foundation for me. That set me up for going to college. When I went to college, I was exposed to a whole new world of swimming and training. That definitely took me a step further, and now that I am a pro, I definitely have more charge of my own training,” Haughey said. “Having a say in my own training means a lot because I am also responsible for my performance, not just my coach.”

Haughey swept the 100 and 200 freestyles during the 2022 FINA World Cup and then went back to Hong Kong to train for worlds.

“As I get older and stronger, (my 200) helps the 100. I am focusing more on stroke efficiency, not just power and energy, and the more I think about it, it really helps with the 100,” Haughey said. “I will be in Hong Kong all the way until Melbourne. I just want to have fun there and see if I can do more best times. It is going to be hard because my best times are not that slow (including a world record), but I want to see what I can do.”

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