By WRAL staff

Cary, N.C. — Team USA swimmers have been in Cary training for the Paris Olympics since July 2.

On Wednesday, they are heading to Croatia to continue training.

There was cheering and excitement as buses carrying Team USA swimmers drove by. Young swimmers hope seeing athletes at this level will inspire them to get in the pool and perform their best.

Many people in the crowd were at the Triangle Aquatic Center on Saturday for a public practice. About 1,000 people crowded around the pool to watch the swimmers practice and see some of the biggest stars, including Katie Ledecky and Caleb Dressel.

Many Wolfpack fans are rooting for first-time Olympian Katharine Berkoff who went to N.C. State. WRAL News asked her how training has been going this past week.

“It’s so nice,” she said. “It’s been a good transition into the training camp because I live 10 minutes away from here. So I’ve just been able to ease into it, and now I’m going to be full into the training. So I’m excited.”

Berkoff is competing in 100m back and said she’s going for gold but not putting too much pressure on herself.

She said she performs her best when she’s just having fun.

Source: wralsportsfan.com