As the Summer Olympic Games in Paris draw closer, athletes from the Triangle area are working diligently to prepare themselves for the opportunity to compete for the gold medal.

Claire Curzan, a 19-year-old from Cary, is an Olympic silver medalist who gained recognition at Cardinal Gibbons High School as the most accomplished female swimmer in NCHSAA history.

In 2021, at the young age of 17, Curzan became the center of attention at the Olympics in Tokyo.

Despite achieving a silver medal and receiving numerous praises in the last two years, Curzan admits that she faces challenges with something unexpected – confidence.

“I have gained confidence in my training and swimming abilities, and I now consider myself to be among the top athletes,” she stated. “It’s difficult to believe because just two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined saying that.”

While seeking support from her sports psychologist to boost her self-assurance, she emphasizes the importance of her loved ones and supporters in North Carolina, who provide her with the strength she needs to prepare for the upcoming intense months.

She expressed gratitude for the strong support she receives from her family, high school, and club team. After returning from the last Olympics, her neighbors even threw a big party to show their support, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

“Pinch me:” Getting ready for my second Olympics feels like a dream.

Since the Tokyo Summer Olympics, Curzan has been caught up in a flurry of activity. She was just 16 years old when she joined the training camp in her home country and even celebrated her birthday there. She is still trying to make sense of everything that has transpired since then.

She expressed, “Honestly, I feel like I’m still trying to fully comprehend everything. It’s like I have to keep reminding myself that it’s all real.”

When she glances through her camera roll, she still feels amazed at the sight of all the pictures from Hawaii and Japan.

“I was surprised to see all these photos from the Olympics,” she remarked. “It was an amazing experience. It will probably take me a few years to fully understand and appreciate everything I went through during that time, especially since I was still growing and developing.”

However, most importantly, she expresses her gratitude.

As Curzan prepares for the Olympic Trials in June, she is not aware of the specific dates she needs to be ready for. Nevertheless, this uncertainty allows her to concentrate on another aspect of her mental approach: living in the present moment.

She explained that it’s important to build confidence and establish a solid foundation. This way, when you reach important competitions, you can reflect on your accomplishments and approach it as just another race or meet.

Curzan was trained at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, which was chosen as the location for the U.S. Olympic swimming team’s training next summer.

She is facing numerous challenges as she strives for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Curzan is unable to solely concentrate on her Olympic training due to her commitments to other competitions around the world in the upcoming months. This will require her to travel frequently, keeping her schedule full.

She is getting ready for the Doha, Qatar World Aquatics Championships in February. She plans to participate in domestic competitions in the U.S. as well.

However, she believes that traveling and meeting others are essential for personal growth. She will be joined by Kate Douglas and Jack Aikins, two other skilled swimmers from her university, the University of Virginia.

She expressed excitement at the opportunity to go as a pro-group and gain valuable race experience together.

After that?

She stated that she would return, reset, and then adjust to the timezone before getting back into training for a couple of months.

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‘United as one:’ Forging a strong connection with their team while navigating challenging training schedules and responsibilities.

Curzan’s daily routine consists of juggling Olympic training, traveling around the world, adapting to different time zones, maintaining strict sleep schedules, and attending college courses. Despite the demanding schedule, Curzan finds it fulfilling and enjoyable.

She remarked that it has been a great experience and she is putting in more effort than ever before. She also mentioned that she constantly feels sore.

During training, she considers herself fortunate to be able to sleep in until 6:30 a.m., while some other athletes have to wake up at 3 a.m. in the cold and dark.

Nevertheless, she does recognize that it has been a difficult adjustment.

She mentioned that one must become accustomed to pushing through muscle soreness and also understanding ways to recover, while also figuring out how to incorporate those methods into their schedule. She believes this has been her greatest obstacle.

According to her, one positive aspect is that it has enhanced her ability to manage time effectively, concentrate on the present, and approach one obstacle at a time.

She explained that you develop a stronger connection with your fellow team members. It’s similar to the idea of us all being in this together.

She expresses that adapting to a busier schedule while juggling college courses has been challenging.

“I have found enjoyment in this experience as I am surrounded by others who are also participating,” she expressed. “It’s enjoyable because we are all striving towards another Olympics.”

Source: wral.com