March 23, 2007

World Champs Swimmer Profile: Kirsty Coventry

Posted by David

As we mentioned last week when discussing the costs and benefits of foreign athletes swimming in the NCAA, at the very least, there are some beautiful stories that come out of teenagers leaving their home and family to pursue a dream here in America. Kirsty Coventry gives us one of those almost too fantastic to believe stories. She is an athlete that provides hope to an entire country and, lucky for us, she took the time to sit down and talk in this installment of our pre-Championships profiles.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe Kirsty realized in high school that she loved swimming, enough so that she wanted to come to the United States to try and achieve goals not possible in her native country. She had never heard of a school called “Auburn” until she spoke with some of her older swimming countrymen who had swam in America. In fact, she and her current Texas coach Kim Bracken still laugh about Kim’s visit to Zimbabwe to recruit Kirsty. It was winter and Kim didn’t understand that pools in Zimbabwe aren’t heated, making it almost impossible to train year-round, yet she had come to watch Kirsty swim…so, eager to please, Kirsty hopped in a pool and swam for a while, until she turned blue. It’s not only a funny story, but also reveals the different world in which Kirsty grew up. A world in which she has been declared a “national treasure” and has a high a profile as possible. Here’s what she had to say:

Not to say that you were not a star before, but you had a huge breakout in 2004 (winning three Olympic Medals) and then continued to improve in 2005, before an injury in 2006 prevented you from competing. What do you credit for your burst of success?

Kirsty: I was always a solid swimmer. But my goal in coming over to the States was to go to a school where I would be in the middle to bottom of the pack. Auburn is a great place to train, you have 60 people in the pool and everyone is holding each other accountable. At home, I was training by myself with 13 and 14 year olds. So I think although it was a breakout, it was really the result of cumulative training. I had become so much stronger in the weight room but a huge difference was just my consistency. When I first got to Auburn, I would have one great set, and then fall off for a while. When I started to get consistent in training is when my performances started getting a lot better.

Speaking of Auburn, you had another huge change in your life as you have recently followed Kim Bracken from Auburn to Texas. Was it a hard decision to leave Auburn?

Kirsty: It was hard leaving David [Marsh] for sure. It wasn’t hard in that I knew that I wanted to work with Kim but it certainly wasn’t that simple. Like anything that takes you out of your comfort zone, it’s a challenge. I didn’t know how the girls at Texas would react to me coming, since Auburn and Texas were somewhat rivals, but they were so welcoming that it made it easier. All in all I think that it was more just a hard time, outside of the decision. Looking back, I was coming off of an injury (Kirsty dislocated her knee last year) and was kind of burnt out. David was dealing with his new job with USA Swimming, so we hadn’t talked as much. But in the end it was the best decision, and David respected that and wants the best for me. We still have a great relationship.

You were declared a “national treasure” in Zimbabwe after you won 3 medals in 2004. Could you believe the attention your performance brought you back home? What was that transition like from that to your comparitively lower profile in the States?

Kirsty: (Laughs) I remember talking to my parents on the phone after the Olympics and them telling me “Kirsty, you have to come home,” and me saying I couldn’t and then them saying “No, you don’t understand, you have to come home.” My parents had to disconnect their phone, because for months they were getting so many calls about me. It was great because at the time there were a lot of racial tensions in Zimbabwe, but for those moments after the Olympics it didn’t matter what color you were or where you from. It really just brought everyone together. After talking to my parents, I decided to come home for a few days and when I flew in there were thousands of people waiting outside the plane, I remember thinking “oh my god!” We had to get a police escort and were almost mobbed, that night I had dinner with the President, the whole trip was just so crazy.

When I came back to Auburn, it was actually a relief. I had about 8 hours of sleep in the three days I was home and remember thinking “I can’t handle this.” Everyone would wave at me no matter where I was, if you’re not used to this it’s a little overwhelming…When I got back to Auburn there were still huge signs for me as it was the first time an Auburn woman swimmer had ever won a medal. I had missed a couple weeks of school but the teachers were still so supportive. But, it was nice to get back into a routine.

Sticking with Zimbabwe, the country has been in some political and economical turmoil as of late. Do you try and take an active role in the politics, etc. of your country or do you try and stay out of it? Also, being a national icon, is there an added pressure to what you do?

Kirsty: I strongly believe that athletics and politics should not mix. I just need to be proud that I get to compete for and represent my country and that’s it. What I love is seeing people back home feeding off my success, and giving them something to cheer for. Part of the reason I am still swimming is to show everyone back home that their dreams are still possible.

I don’t look at all of this as pressure though. Sometimes, obviously there is, but at same time it provides so much support. A lot of people don’t understand swimming there, so even some of the minor things I do can be viewed as great over there. So when you add that in, I would say it’s more uplifting than extra pressure.

So where you’re at, after all your success, and then basically having to start over after a long break and then injury after 2005 Worlds, how are you viewing the upcoming World Championships?

Kirsty: I’m really excited about World’s. I would love to have the same performance as 2005 (Gold in 100, 200 Backstroke, Silver in 200, 400IM)…but realistically that’s probably not going to happen. Worlds isn’t the main focus at this point as I’m more gearing towards the Olympics. I don’t want to make it sound less important, it’s just that Olympics is THE meet. World’s is just a little bit below that, but still very important and I obviously I want to defend my titles. When I’m racing I won’t be thinking about how it’s “not the main focus.”

These Championships are going to be very exciting for you personally too, can you tell us about why?

Kirsty: Personally it is very exciting, because my parents are coming. It’s the first time my parents have seen me at an International Meet. The Olympics were too short of notice, and Zimbabwe couldn’t give them tickets. But now, I have it written into my Speedo contract to let them see me compete, and I am just so thankful for that. I would swim even if I weren’t getting paid, but that is a very nice bonus.

Lastly, do you see yourself returning to Zimbabwe at some point?

Kirsty: I will always go back to visit. The problem is that the economy is just so bad right now. It’s really hard for youngsters to start out in life. Now if it ever got better? My memories growing up are so positive that I would certainly love for my kids to have the same opportunity. But for right now, I’m just dealing with the daily pressures and not thinking that far ahead.

-Kirsty’s story reads like a Disney movie (who knows, maybe one day?), except it’s actually true. She has accomplished so much not just for her, but her country. With such an inspiring attitude, no matter where you’re from it would be hard not to root for her, as I will certainly be doing this week. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s profile: Third Best IM’er in the World, turned Breastroker for the World Championships: Eric Schanteau.