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USA SWIMMING: 20 QUESTION TUESDAY WITH LENNY KRAYZELBURG
20 May 2004
By Bob Schaller, USA Swimming
Article originally located at USA
Swimming
Looking for someone to root for as
Olympic Trials approach? Here’s an idea: Lenny Krayzelburg. The
triple gold medalist from the 2000 Games has battled injuries to put himself
in a position to compete for a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. In
this week’s “20 Question Tuesday,” one of the big stories from the 2000
Games talks about that story, and what’s left to write in the final chapter
– as far as swimming is concerned – with special correspondent Bob Schaller.
1 Since your post-Olympic media tour, your appearance on Who
Wants to be a Millionaire? and your work on ESPN in the years following
the Sydney Games, what else have you been up to since 2000?
Lenny: Well, I judged Miss America, did the David Letterman show,
Hollywood Squares, The Pyramid… That’s what I can think of right now.
I’m sure there are more!
2 What’s been the biggest challenge in trying to get back into
the shape you were in for 2000 and reaching those amazing times again?
Lenny: Injuries. I have had four surgeries since 2000, so that’s
been the biggest challenge – to stay healthy and bounce back from injuries.
I had two (surgeries) on my left shoulder, one on my left knee and a pretty
serious sinus problem that required surgery in 2002.
3 Are you trying to reach those times again? Last time, your
goal was an Olympic gold. What’s the goal now?
Lenny: You know, my goal has not changed. I still want to win a
couple of gold medals. Unfortunately, because of my injuries, I’ve not
been able to be 100 percent healthy so I’m just going to focus probably
on the 100 (backstroke).
4 You switched programs and are now working with coach Dave
Salo – what’s that been like?
Lenny: I love it! Really, I absolutely love it. Dave has been so
creative. I’ve never been around a coach so creative. I honestly believe
he is a pioneer in this sport. The things he’s done are different from
anyone I’ve been around in the world of swimming. And he gets results.
It is too bad more coaches don’t think like he does.
5 What’s the biggest change for you heading into these 2004
Trials compared to the 2000 Trials? And could you describe the pressure
of the Olympic Trials?
Lenny: I’m obviously not going to be a favorite at the 2004 Trials
like I was in 2000, so there aren’t as many expectations. That’s probably
the biggest change for me. I like it, though. It’ll be a little different
being an underdog and not having as much pressure. I’m ready for whatever
situation is up. As far as the pressure of the Trials – it is one of the
most stressful and pressure-packed meets you can go to. Maybe to some
extent, there is even more pressure than the Olympic Games. Fortunately
for me in 2000, I was swimming so well that I didn’t feel a lot of pressure
at Trials because I was so comfortable with how well I was doing. I knew
if I swam my own race I’d make the Olympic team. So for me – then – the
Olympics were more stressful than the Olympic Trials. Now, though, the
stress is to make the Olympic team. And as we’ve seen, anyone who makes
the U.S. Olympic team has good chance at medaling.
6 You’ve been back to Russia. What are things like there now?
Is it getting better or worse for the average Russian citizen? Did it
ever cross your mind to swim for Ukraine or Russia for 2004 instead of
for the U.S.?
Lenny: It’s hard for me to say if it’s getting better or worse,
because when you’re only there two or three weeks, you’re still just a
tourist, basically. From an outsider looking in, I think things are improving.
But some might say otherwise. And yes, I could have chosen to swim for
(my native country), but absolutely I would not. I’m at the point and
level where I want to represent this country, the United States of America.
This country has been great, and given me so many great opportunities.
Besides being the best swimming country in the world, it’s an honor to
represent the United States.
7 Who is a young swimmer you are following right now?
Lenny: Well, Michael Phelps absolutely. His career has absolutely
taken off. To be honest, I would have to say Aaron’s (Piersol) success
has been impressive. I’m very proud of Aaron. He’s had significant improvement
year in and out. His consistency has been impressive. There is no question
that lately Ian Crocker has impressed me. He’s put himself up there as
one of the best the U.S. has ever had. These guys will really be the leaders
for the U.S. team into these Olympic Games.
8 What are you going to do after the Olympic Trials and Olympics
this year – will you try for 2008 and perhaps a final run, if you make
it injury-free, for another Olympic Games?
Lenny: No, no no! This is it! I’m hanging by a really thin thread
(laughs) and trying to hold on here for a little while longer… then it’s
time to move on!
9 What was it like to be sidelined while others took over the
backstroke and made runs at, or took, your records?
Lenny: Listen, first of all, I believe records are meant to be
broken. Unfortunately I didn’t get to defend my world records and titles.
But I look at it as part of sports. If it’s meant for me to have these
injuries, then that’s how it’s going to be. That is sports: A young generation
grows up, gets better and challenges you. That’s what it’s all about.
And as a competitor, you have to like that challenge. That’s a big part
of why we’re involved and what drives us all.
10 What are you doing 10 years from now, and where are you living?
Lenny: Where am I living? Los Angeles, or on the East Coast, possibly
New York. One of those two places. I’m doing a lot of real estate developing,
I hope.
11 What’s a place in America that you haven’t visited that you’d
like to see?
Lenny: Does Hawaii belong to America? (Laughs) We’re going to training
camp there, but I haven’t been there, so I’m really looking forward to
that!
12 You still seem so happy and pleasant. How important has that
mindset been to help you through this trying time?Lenny:
Like I said, it’s just a part of sports. There are so many other things
in life, and swimming is only a small part of it in the grand scheme of
this thing we call life. This has been a big part of my life, so no matter
how things turn out, it is not the end of the world. Other things are
happening. That’s why I keep things in the perspective.
13 At Nationals a few weeks back, you seemed close to being
back. How close are you to being where you want to be heading into Olympic
Trials?
Lenny: I think I’m getting there. I still have quite a bit of work
ahead of me. The most important thing for me in the next 90 days is staying
healthy. I’m still having some problems with the shoulder – it’s back
and forth. If I can stay healthy, I have no doubt I can compete with the
best.
14 Could anything have prepared you for the fame and attention
you received following the 2000 Olympics? How did you handle all of that
so well?
Lenny: No! Absolutely not! No one can prepare you, unless you’ve
been faced with it before. It varies tremendously, from person to person
– it’s very individualized – in terms of how you handle it. Being realistic
and humble, you have to realize it is “hype of the moment,” and ultimately
you are still the same person.
15 What are your memories now, almost four years later, when
you look at your Olympic gold medals from the 2000 Games in Sydney?
Lenny: What I remember the most is throwing my body back when I
swam the 100 (backstroke) in the finals. I could see my hand was going
to touch the wall first. I vividly remember that, looking to the side
to see (Australia’s) Matt Welsh – I could see it was a close race.
16 What gets you out of bed in the mornings on days when you
just don’t feel like going through all of this again, any more?
Lenny: You know what? Since I’ve been with Dave, I don’t have those
days. I get up in the morning with a smile on my face and a great attitude
and excitement. It helps (laughs) to work out at 8 and not 5:45 a.m.!
17 Tell us one place we absolutely have to visit in your native
homeland if we ever get the chance to go over to the former USSR?
Lenny: Moscow. And Odessa in the summer time. And St. Petersburg,
no question about that. All wonderful, historical cities with a lot to
do and see.
18 What has swimming taught you about yourself?
Lenny: It’s a very easy answer. “If it’s going to be, it’s up to
me.”
19 What do you do to unwind?
Lenny: Just watch TV, spend some time with my fiancée. That’s about
it… I relax and read.
20 What advice would you give to a young swimmer who is setting
records and winning medals at all the meets she or he goes to? What would
you tell him or her, as far as what to look out for, what to keep in mind,
while all this is going on?
Lenny: Be humble. Stay with what got you there, because that’s
ultimately what will take you to the top.
Article originally located at USA
Swimming
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