The swimming events of the Paris Olympics have concluded, marking the end of an
extraordinary competition that has once again made history in the world of swimming.
Beyond the medals and records, the Olympics have once again demonstrated how the
values of sport can inspire and transform lives, leaving us with unique examples that will
forever be etched in the annals of swimming history:
01. Determination, Discipline, and Teamwork
At the Paris Olympics, the final of the men’s
4x100m freestyle relay exemplified the determination, discipline, and teamwork of the
American team, composed of Caeleb Dressel, Blake Pieroni, Bowen Becker, and Zach
Apple. Their collective effort not only earned them the gold medal but also set a new
Olympic record, demonstrating that the combination of these values can lead to
extraordinary achievements.
02. Respect and Friendships
South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker broke the world record in
the women’s 200m breaststroke, and her rivals, including Lilly King and Annie Lazor from the
United States, showed deep respect and camaraderie by congratulating her and celebrating
her achievement with genuine joy. This touching act of respect and support highlighted how
swimming is a united global community, where swimmers celebrate their competitors’
successes with the same passion as their own, showing that camaraderie transcends rivalry.
03. Personal Triumph & Unyielding Effort:
Simone Manuel exemplified personal overcoming and
effort by triumphantly returning in the women’s 50m freestyle. After facing health issues and
underperforming in previous competitions, Manuel dedicated time and hard work to regain
her form. Her effort and determination culminated in a victory in the final, demonstrating that
with perseverance and dedication, it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve
extraordinary goals.
Throughout these Olympics, we have also witnessed stellar performances from swimmers
who not only won medals but also set world records, reaching a level of unique
achievement, pushing their skills to the limit, and inspiring millions around the world:
● Katie Ledecky (USA): Gold in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle, breaking her
own world record in the 800m.
● Caeleb Dressel (USA): Gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and 100m butterfly,
setting a new world record in the latter event.
● Emma McKeon (Australia): Gold in the 100m and 200m freestyle, and in the
4x100m relay, with a world record in the 4x100m.
● Adam Peaty (UK): Gold in the 100m breaststroke, maintaining his dominance in this
category with a new Olympic record.
● Zhang Yufei (China): Gold in the 200m butterfly and the 4x200m relay, breaking the
Olympic record in the 200m butterfly.
Thanks to the daily broadcasts from our ambassador, Sergio Lopez, at ToSwim, we have
been able to experience every thrilling moment of these Olympics up close. His analyses
and commentary have provided a deep and passionate insight into the event, allowing us to
further appreciate the effort and dedication of these incredible athletes.
The Paris Olympics have been a true showcase of talent, effort, and sportsmanship. The
values of sport have shone brightly, demonstrating that swimming is much more than a
competition; it is a celebration of humanity at its highest expression. We congratulate all the
swimmers on their achievements and look forward with great anticipation to future
competitions where these values will continue to inspire.
