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I honestly felt no pressure going into the London Paralympic Games. I didn’t announce my exact goals for London. I didn’t want people to be disappointed if my performance didn’t meet their expectations. Only my coach, Davo, and I knew what goals I had set for myself. Athens was a discovery of what I was capable of, Beijing was the pressure to be the best, and London was my time to have fun.
Competition day three of the Paralympics in London, England: competing in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke heats at the Aquatics Centre.
September 6, 2012, in London. Celebrating my gold medal from the Women’s 100m Freestyle on the podium at the 2012 Paralympic Games.
I had already won seven gold Paralympic medals, and I didn’t feel that I had anything to prove to anyone. My hope for London was to perform well, but also to enjoy the little moments, such as when our team would all stand together chanting “U.S.A!” for our teammates. I wanted to enjoy my last chance to room with my best friend, Kelley Becherer, who was planning to retire from the Paralympic world six months after London. I was there to do what I loved . . . swim. I had trained hard for four years in prep for London, and I wasn’t going to rush through the ten days of competition.
Some of my best friends. JAK (Jessica, Anna, and Kelley) for life.
On the cover of the daily magazine at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
A typical day of competition in London was hectic. I’d wake up around six a.m., head to the cafeteria to grab breakfast, and take the shuttle to the pool. I’d put on my practice suit and go straight for the competition pool to warm up, then over to my trainer, Brian Bratta, to be stretched out and have my back adjusted. Then I’d put on my competition suit, which can take up to forty-five minutes because it’s ridiculously tight, fitting like a second skin in order to provide the least resistance in the water. Following a quick warm-up, I’d wait in the ready room for my race. After the race, I’d cool down, get out of my suit, head back to the village, eat lunch, take a nap, and prepare for the finals. Then back to the bus station to repeat all that for finals. After finals (which could end as late as ten p.m.) I’d rush to get dinner, unpack my swim bag, and get to bed, ready to do it all over again the next morning. By day four of competition I was exhausted, but the training had conditioned me to push through it.
Overall, London was my favorite Paralympics. They did a phenomenal job hosting the Games. There were crazy crowds cheering us on every night, the medals were the biggest I’ve ever won, and the food provided in the Paralympic village was amazing. You could always find me at the fruit and pasta stations.
Nastia Liukin, me, Michelle Kwan, and Allyson Felix at the Women’s Sports Foundation Gala in New York City. It’s amazing getting to know these elite athletes. They are strong, beautiful, incredible women.
It was an honor to put on my Team USA clothing every day and represent my country. At the closing ceremony, Coldplay, Rihanna, and Jay-Z performed. It was the perfect ending to my third Paralympics. I left London having earned five gold medals, two silver, and one bronze. I of course had wanted faster times and wasn’t completely satisfied with my performance, but I was proud of what I accomplished, and I had a blast doing it.
At an event for Liberty Mutual, signing autographs and showing off one of my gold medals from London.
This was taken while working on Michelle Obama’s campaign against childhood obesity. I was so nervous going through my lines, but she was the kindest person!