I’m a swimmer. I may not know everything about winter sports and I probably know even less about how to dress for winter climates. However, I do know what it takes to be an elite athlete. I know what it’s like to share your dreams with others, only to have them laugh at you because they don’t believe what you believe. I know what it’s like to have doubt creep up inside you and cast a shadow over your dreams. I know what it’s like to face the internal pressures you put on yourself to accomplish your dreams. I know what it’s like to face the external pressures others put on you to accomplish their dreams. I know what it’s like to fail. I also know what it’s like to win. When you win, you forget about all the negative comments, the doubts and the pressures you faced because in that moment your dream has become a reality.
I am in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This is my first Games experience as an IOC member and being part of the work and commitment that the members and staff put into this, is phenomenal. As part of the IOC Athletes Commission we help guide and ensure the IOC give the Athletes the greatest Games experience.
Sochi provides some wonderful firsts:
- 1st time for…
