- Title: U.S. swimmers ready to 'relish in this moment' as Olympic medallists
- Date: 29th July 2021
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) TEAM USA SWIMMER AND SILVER MEDALLIST IN THE WOMEN'S 4X200M FREESTYLE RELAY AND BRONZE MEDALLIST IN WOMEN'S 4X200M FREESTYLE RELAY, ALLISON SCHMITT, SAYING: "I don't know what other words I can use to describe this right now and I hope I'm able to relish in this moment and hopefully realise what this means. But as of right now, I've really enjoyed today and this, the journey that we've had leading up to this day and I'm really grateful that I was able to win this medal with the three other girls." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TEAM USA GOLD MEDALLIST IN 400 M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY, CHASE KALISZ, SAYING: "I personally am devastated for him, I feel for him. I don't really know him (U.S. pole vaulter Sam Kendricks who tested positive for COVID) personally but from what I've heard and read is he was a serious medal contender and like for all of us this is probably his life long dream to be here so it certainly is a sad situation."
- Embargoed: 12th August 2021 11:45
- Keywords: Olympic swimmers Olympic swimming Olympics Team USA U.S. swimmers sports swimming
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Olympics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA002ENW8PQF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: After collecting bronze, silver and gold medals this week in Tokyo, members of the Team USA swimming team were still trying to find the words to describe their experience.
"I hope I'm able to relish in this moment and hopefully realise what this means, but as of right now I've really enjoyed today and the journey we've had that lead up to this day," said Allison Schmitt, who won her ninth and tenth Olympic medals this week in the women's 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays.
She shared a silver medal with teammates Kathryn McLaughlin, Paige Madden and Katie Ledecky for the women's 4x200 metre freestyle relay on Thursday (July 29). She earned a bronze in the 4x100 on Sunday (July 25).
Hali Flickinger earned a bronze in the women's 200 metre butterfly and in the women's 400 metre individual medley.
Chase Kalisz won the gold medal in the men's 400 metre individual medley on Sunday but fell short in Thursday's men's 200 metre individual medley, failing to go beyond the semifinals.
Despite the joyous occasion, the reality of COVID-19 hit Team USA with pole vaulter Sam Kendricks testing positive and being ruled out from the competition.
"I personally am devastated for him, I feel for him. I don't really know him personally but from what I've heard and read is he was a serious medal contender and like for all of us this is probably his life long dream to be here so it certainly is a sad situation," Kalisz said.
Olympics organisers have reported 193 COVID-19 cases related to the Games, a miniscule number given the tens of thousands of people involved in the event.
Athletes, staff and media have to follow strict rules to prevent any spread of the virus from inside an "Olympic bubble."
Outside of that bubble in Tokyo, where pandemic restrictions are mostly voluntary, daily infections hit a record 3,865, up from 3,177 a day earlier.
Daily cases nationwide topped 10,000 for the first time, domestic media reported.
(Production: Ilze Filks, Nathan Frandino, Miguel Pereira) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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- Usage Terms/Restrictions: Olympic restriction: Clip cannot be re-published without additional clearances from the IOC.