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American swimmer Kristy KowalSmiling from ear-to-ear, first-time-Olympian Kristy Kowal received her silver medal for the 200-meter breaststroke. Earlier this year, Kristy, 21, was named the NCAA Co-Swimmer of the Year. She shared some thoughts about her Olympic experience with CNNSI.com. I have been waiting for this for so long. Winning an Olympic medal has always been a dream of mine. It didn't hit me until I was behind the award stand that I had made it. It was over; I did it; and it was so much fun.
On the platform, I was thinking that this is probably the coolest thing I've ever done. I found my parents in the crowd. They were holding up a big sign that said "Go KK." I realized that it is not about the color of medal you win, it is about the experience. I think I was just as happy as the girl who won the gold, and I think Amanda Beard, who won third, was just as happy as the both of us. I was very nervous before the finals, which is unusual for me. I was thinking, "What if I don't do well?" My coaches said I would swim great and win a medal. I didn't want to jinx myself. They came over before the race to collect my dress sweats so that I could quickly change into them before the medal ceremony. I told them not to take them, it would jinx me, but they did anyway. I tried to stay very relaxed for the few days leading up to my event. I spent time with my parents who always help me remain calm. I cheered for my teammates, and thanks to the cell phone I was given, I talked to my friends at home. Right before the race I listened to music on my headphones. When I'm waiting in the Ready Room, I usually am still singing the last song that I heard. This time it was NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye". I sat there singing and dancing to myself. I didn't want the pressure to get to me. During the race, I'm concentrated on looking at my own lane and staying in the middle of the pool so I didn't let others drag off of me. I had to take the semester off school to come to the Olympics, but going back to school is going to be crazy. I hope I will have time to rest between seeing everyone and making appearances. When I get home, I'll go back to Georgia for two days and then back to Pennsylvania. I'm taking October off from swimming to give my body a little bit of time. I haven't had a break for more than two weeks in 16 years. I'm going with some other swimmers to the Cayman Islands. Then I plan to hang out with my friends and family without having to worry about waking up at five in the morning for practice.
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