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Antsy to swim fast
Posted: Tuesday June 20, 2000 12:50 PM
Jenny Thompson made headlines at the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships when she broke the 18-year-old world record in the 100-meter butterfly. Thompson has won five Olympic gold medals and is tied with Bonnie Blair for most Olympic gold medals by an American woman. She is now training for the 2000 Olympic Games. Check out Thompson's diary every other week on CNNSI.com.
June 19, 2000
Hi everyone! Wow -- it's hard to believe that the Olympic Trials are less than two months away. Watching the results of other countries trials come up has been exciting, and it's making me antsy to swim fast. Recently, Inge de Bruijn from Holland broke four world records in most of the events I swim, including the world record I had in the 100 butterfly. So I really have something to shoot for now (not like I didn't before). The Australians also had their trials in May, and they were inspirational as well. Training has been really tough, and I've been walking around in a constant state of exhaustion. That will end shortly, however, when we start to cut down on the amount we practice and start to focus on speed. I can't wait for that because then I will actually have lots of energy! Sometimes it's really difficult to have fun during this really intense time in training -- it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just have to remind myself how it will pay off in August and September, that hurting that much more now will translate to swimming that much faster when the time comes. The increased media attention that comes with the Olympics has also been a challenge in my tired state. I've been doing several magazine photo shoots (see this month's issue of Self magazine page 176) and interviews. I've pretty much ended that for now, though, so that I can focus on swimming and resting. I had a small meet in Irvine, Calif. a couple of weeks ago, and I swam pretty fast for this time in the season. I wasn't wearing the new Fastskin Speedo suit, but I will be in all the meets from now on. I have a meet this coming weekend in Santa Clara, Calif. that should be a fast meet. It's part of the Cadillac Grand Prix series and it will be on TV at some point, so watch for that. Some of the top Australians are supposed to be there, such as Michael Klim. Well, that's it for now. Think of me this weekend and wish me well in my meet! Thanks :) Also -- you can check out my web site if you so desire at www.athletedirect.com. Until next time...keep it real! Love, -- Jenny
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