Keepin' Up With Carly: Part V
August 21, 2004 | Women's Swimming & Diving
This is the last weekly journal entry Olympic gold medalist Carly Piper (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) is sharing with Badger fans on her experiences training for and competing in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Last Wednesday Piper and her 800-meter freestyle relay team broke the world record en route to capturing the gold medal.
Wednesday morning I tried to think of the 800-meter freestyle relay race as just another meet, and I tried to be more excited than nervous. And boy was I excited! I love relays, especially since there are three other girls down behind the blocks with you to cheer you on as well as the whole entire team supporting you from the stands!
After the morning swim (prelims), I was just so thrilled that I swam a good race and kept my stroke and turns together. That afternoon I found out I would be on the night relay and I was in shock.
My biggest dream had come true!
At night, I knew I had to swim just like I did in the morning and try to bring the last half of my race back just a little faster. It takes a little under two minutes but it feels like two seconds. Just watching the start of the relay and hearing everyone cheer and swimming and then watching the end of the race felt unreal. A world record and a gold medal for our team give me an amazing feeling that has not sunk in yet! I'm still on a high, feeling like I'm in a dream!
Dana Vollmer, Kaitlin Sandeno and I were on the "Today Show" Thursday morning (or afternoon here), which was great! I'm still taking this all in, but I'm so happy and thankful for everything and everyone who has supported me all these years: my parents, family, coaches and friends!!
