Flash Quotes from the U.S. Swim Team Press Conference at the 13th FINA World Championships
July 24, 2009
Sean Hutchison (Women’s Team Head Coach):
"Hopefully if we preform as well as we trained, we'll be a lot better than we were at the trial meet. This is kind of the beginning of the cycle for us and we're lookng to see new talent and have some great swims and lead towards the London Olympics, and hopefully have some surprises in there."
Dara Torres:
On What is it like to be the captain of such a young women's team
“There's a lot of differences, you know, they're young, they're very energetic, they have a lot of questions. I remember one day I was in the team room and five of the girls walked in and I was just going to stay for 15 minutes and about an hour later they were still asking me questions, and it's fine, I was very honored to be a team captain along with Dana Vollmer and I think we have a great team, we're a young team, and we'll try to make that work to our advantage."
Aaron Peirsol:
On how much being a veteran helps him in his role as team captain:
“Well, quite a bit, I think this has been, like the girls team, we've had a bit of a inexperience with the men's team. A lot of young guys... but at the same time, we've got our fair share of experience. I guess I'm the second oldest guy on the team now, that's quite a change for me...i think there's certainly a new guard on the men's team, so in regard to this trip the guys are looking great.
Ryan Lochte:
I'm actually looking forward to all of them. I love racing, I love racing different people. I guess if I had to pick one, I don't know, i'd say the 200 backstroke or the 2-IM."
On FINA’s decision about swimsuits today...
Dara Torres:
“Me of all people are happy that FINA has turned back the clock. That's all I have to say.”
Peirsol:
“I think it's well, good. I guess it's the way we train, we train in little briefs, so this is sport where you want to be able to prove your hard work. That is certainly going bring the sport to that level as far as the technique of the sport, to me is more important.
Lochte:
“I’m going to have to agree with Aaron. I think it’s really good for the sport top bring out the new suits. As far as I am concerned, I’m sticking with Speedo.”
Q: “What does this ruling mean for world records?”
Peirsol: No, I don’t think my world record will stick forever. I still have one more race to do this week and then it may stay forever. I really don’t think swimming ever stops that way. After the East Germans people broke records again. It’s a sport where once a level is set people will train for that.”
Q: “Do you have expectations to make the final in your event.”
Torres: I’m excited about it. I had a lot of expectations going into the Olympic Games and this time around I don’t. I had a lot of distractions this year, things I have overcome, and commitments from my sponsors so I don’t think my training was right up to par as it was last year training for the Games. I’m excited to race, I love to race and compete and I always want to win. Hopefully, I will give the girls a run for their money. I know they are all swimming fast and they’ve broke some world records so I know everyone is fast and I look forward to swimming against fast swimmers.
Q: “The U.S. Team had a fantastic Olympic Games in Beijing. How has what happened in Beijing changed your everyday life?”
Lochte: “I think there is a great expectation for the U.S. after everything that happened in Beijing. I think we use that as a motivation and I think all of us after the games, well, I know some us took breaks, but we got back in the water and we are a lot more focused than we were before and I think we are going to use that to our advantage.
Peirsol: “There’s been a notable difference for us in the States. When we got back from Beijing we really realized the impact that the team has, in particular Michael and Dara and the people that really shined at the Olympics that impact they had on the country. It was really cool and amazing to be a part of. When we got back in this spring, the first week Michael got back in too, there was more media there which was something we saw in North Carolina as well. It’s something we don’t want to take for granted and hope that it will stick around the sport.”
Torres: “And membership jumped up in USA Swimming. I remember getting back in the pool after taking a week off after Beijing and thinking ‘Who are all these people?’ Masters swimmers, young kids…membership has risen. It’s just great to see. People go swimming now in the U.S. and I think it’s one of the premier sports in the United Stated thanks to many years of hard work and to top it off with the performance at the Beijing Olympics from the whole team. “
Hutchison: “As Dara said, I think it’s become part of our culture a little bit more and people are aware of it more than just the once ever four year phenomenon it’s been in the past.”
Q: “What’s the backstroke race going to be like in the 200?”
Peirsol: “Well, it’s not just between Irie and myself, Ryan will be in that race too. I’m sure it will be a very good race. We’ve both seen him swim and in my opinion, Irie is one of the most beautiful backstroke racers I have ever seen.
Michael Phelps:
“The training camp went well. We’ve had some pretty good workouts and we are getting ready to start. I’m looking forward to that.”
“Bob and I both agree I prepared the best way taking a six month break. We did the best we could and I think right now we are able to step back and say we are at a really good place.”
“It’s going to be fun. I haven’t been racing much this year but I’ve seen some of the guys that I raced last year. There a ton of people at World Championships. It’s the best of the best and the people that have swum the fastest this year.”