GUTTERTALK

BY DAVID RIEDER

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS RACING IN THE ISL SO SOON AFTER THE OLYMPICS?

CAELEB DRESSEL USA (Cali Condors)

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

The goal coming here—my coach was adamant—we’re just coming here to have fun. It’s as simple as that. I know you hear it over and over again, but even more so coming off the Olympics into this. I couldn’t be worried about times or a scoreboard right now, and I think ISL is a perfect place to go, get back into shape, get back into my groove, be around my people again.

I didn’t know if I was going to be ready for it, and after having one meet down, I’m already ready for the next one. I’m trying to take things one day at a time, but it’s weird. I don’t really feel the pressure here. I’m not trying to do anything special. I think that might be why.

The goal here is getting back into shape. I’m not trying to go world records. I’m not trying to beat one person in particular. I’m going to score my points, get back into shape, and have a good time doing it. If I don’t do that, then I need to go home. BRENDON SMITH Australia (New York Breakers)

[PHOTO BY DELLY CARR, SWIMMING AUSTRALIA]

I swam in the ISL competition last year as one of two Australians who made the journey to Budapest. I am a racer and love to race. Last year, due to continual lockdowns in Victoria, ISL was the only chance I had to compete in any competitions, national or international, without having to do two weeks hotel isolation before I swam. Swimming ISL last year gave me the confidence to be able to mix it up with the best in the world in the 400 IM, which I believe helped me to win a bronze in that event at the Tokyo Olympics.

I will forever be grateful for the opportunities ISL has given me. ISL is a great concept, and I would love to see it take off and continue. For this to happen, it is important for the competition to be strong and continue the momentum from the Olympics. It is a way for swimmers to make some money in a sport they love to do. PAIGE MADDEN USA (Tokyo Frog Kings)

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Personally, my goals are to have a positive mental health experience while I’m here. I want to experience Italy, learn about different cultures, and focus on having fun.

Because I was focused on my well-being, I only swam three times between Tokyo and arriving in Naples, so I knew my results wouldn’t be up to par. (Tokyo head coach Dave) Salo has been preaching that we should both “train and race into shape,” and I’ve embraced that!

SWIM MART

䜀伀䰀䐀 䴀䔀䐀䄀䰀 倀䔀刀䘀伀刀䴀䄀一䌀䔀 匀吀䄀刀吀匀 圀䤀吀䠀 刀䔀匀䤀匀吀䄀一䌀䔀 吀刀䄀䤀一䤀一䜀

MATT TEMPLE Australia (New York Breakers)

[PHOTO BY DELLY CARR, SWIMMING AUSTRALIA]

Going from the Olympics to the ISL has definitely been a journey. Coming off the high of the Olympics and the amazing success of the Dolphins swim team to going straight to Italy and now racing again has been a big mental shift.

I have set a few focus points for the ISL. In terms of performance, as the ISL is short course, I have set myself a couple small goals around speed in and out of turns and to gain as much speed off the walls as I can.

As this is my first ISL, I want to enjoy the experience, meet new people from across the world and have fun. I honestly haven’t put too much pressure on myself in terms of performance and times, but rather focus on the process and plan of each race.

TOM SHIELDS USA (LA Current)

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

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