A NATURAL LEADER

Still producing elite-level performances, Nathan Adrian, now 32 and pursuing his fourth Olympic Games, has the opportunity to further his already lofty reputation. And whenever his days in the sport come to an end, Adrian will be viewed for his excellence in the sport as an athlete, teammate and ambassador.

BY JOHN LOHN

The evolution of Nathan Adrian, a decade-plus development from promise to greatness, can be considered the perfect blueprint for how a Hall of Fame career is molded. Sure, HOF status can be obtained in a variety of ways. Emergence as a phenom. Patience as a late bloomer. Pride in longevity. These are just a few of the paths that can be traveled.

In his march to eventual enshrinement into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Adrian has basically drafted a flawlessly written How-to-Guide for induction. Consider the steps he has taken: • As a rising collegiate star at Cal-Berkeley, Adrian qualified for his first Olympic Games in 2008 and left Beijing with a gold medal for his prelim contributions to the United States’ 400 freestyle relay. • Having established himself as one of America’s premier sprinters over the previous few years, Adrian soared to the top of the world when he captured the Olympic title in the 100 freestyle at the 2012 Games in London. It was an effort complemented by a pair of relay medals, with Adrian handling the anchor role for Team USA. • From 2013-17, Adrian was the reliable veteran—and team leader—at all international competitions, with four medals

earned at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and nine medals claimed from the World Championships.

Now, as a 32-year-old, Adrian is chasing his fourth Olympic berth and seeking to further his reputation as one of history’s elite sprinters. As he looks to write this next chapter, Adrian will try to deny the next realm of stars while having experienced life’s highs and lows.

A TOKYO TICKET?

The gauntlet that is the United States Olympic Trials is nothing like any other qualifying event in the world. As impressive as the depth may be in certain events around the world, no nation measures up to the American arsenal. This fact is hardly an unknown, for the United States has long left home medal-contending talent from the Olympic Games.

As Adrian prepares for his fourth Trials, he is aware that the sprint-freestyle events, specifically the 100 freestyle, are loaded. It can be argued that the 100 free is the deepest event on the men’s program. While two-time defending world champion Caeleb Dressel is viewed as a lock to secure one of the two Tokyo bids in the event, a plethora of names—including Adrian—are in the mix for the second individual berth, and one of the relay slots available.

How fast will the field be at Trials in Omaha? It is possible that a sub-48 performance will be required to qualify for the final. To put that type of speed in perspective, outside of the farcical 2009 World Championships (ruled by super suits), there has never been an international final featuring a full field of sub-48 qualifiers.

In addition to Dressel, Adrian will duel with the likes of Blake Pieroni, Zach Apple, Maxime Rooney and Ryan Held, among others.

“It is an impressive field,” Adrian said. “I feel like I’m a backstroker. Team USA has been stacked in the backstroke since the 1970s, and freestyle has not necessarily been that way. But the last few years, it has really developed, and it may take a 47 (to final). There’s nothing I can do about it. My mentality is do what I can do.”

On top of the 100 freestyle, Adrian will again be a lead contender in the 50 freestyle, where Dressel has won back-to-back world titles. In the one lap sprint, Adrian figures to battle with the likes of Michael Andrew, Held, Apple and rising star David Curtiss.

Originally preparing for Trials in 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a one-year delay of the Olympic Games, Adrian and longtime coach Dave Durden carefully designed a training regimen. As an athlete in his 30s, Adrian doesn’t recover as quickly as he did in the past. Consequently, practices are either tweaked or Adrian eases off the pedal when his body informs him of the need.

More, Adrian is drawing on his experience with a lighter meet schedule. Although USA Swimming has offered several TYR Pro Series competitions, Adrian will enter Trials with a lighter racing load. That scenario might prove hazardous for younger athletes, but Adrian knows what to expect and how to handle multiple rounds of racing and the intense pressure that will be present.

“The volume I’m doing is not what it used to be,” Adrian said. “I would say I’m doing half a practice less each week. It lets me recover. There’s a self-awareness. I have a trust in (Durden), and he knows I’m going to put in the effort.”

BEYOND THE POOL

Anyone familiar with the career of Adrian is likely aware of his testicular cancer diagnosis in late 2018. Forced to undergo multiple surgeries to treat his illness, Adrian needed to shift his attention from his athletic pursuits to managing his health. Ultimately, Adrian came through his medical situation with positive results and has since become an advocate for early detection of testicular cancer.

Additionally, Adrian has adopted a different outlook on life.

“It shifts your perspective in the highest degree,” Adrian said of his cancer battle. “As a swimmer at the highest level, you get down to the nitty-gritty. Nail this dive and look at the minute details. You get cancer, and it’s like a movie where you zoom out to 30,000 feet and none of it matters. It puts everything in perspective. If you have a bad day in the pool, just be glad for your health and not angry.”

As dark a time as cancer was for Adrian, he is now waking to bright moments, with “Dad” being the newest title he wears. Adrian and his wife, Hallie, welcomed their daughter, Parker, to the world in February. In the months since becoming a father, Adrian has shifted his priorities to make his baby girl his No. 1 focus.

Before the birth of Parker, Adrian—like his fellow Tokyo hopefuls—dealt with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding pool time was a dilemma at times and making proper decisions to remain healthy was a must.

“Every experience has been different, but this has been the most different with COVID and having a baby,” Adrian said. “It used to be just swimming. Now with a baby, it’s about what Parker needs. It’s been amazing, all I ever dreamed of and more. (Being a dad) is the best thing ever.”

[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

>> “It shifts your perspective in the highest degree,” Adrian said of his cancer battle. “As a swimmer at the highest level, you get down to the nitty-gritty. Nail this dive and look at the minute details. You get cancer, and it’s like a movie where you zoom out to 30,000 feet and none of it matters. It puts everything in perspective. If you have a bad day in the pool, just be glad for your health and not angry.”

A LEADER OF MEN

There are certain individuals who are natural leaders. Adrian fits that mold. During his time as a Team USA staple, Adrian has been named captain for international competitions on multiple occasions. In the way he carries himself on deck or handles interviews, much can be learned from Adrian. Simply, he is someone to emulate.

In the pool, Adrian maintains a quiet confidence about himself. He has routinely answered the call in his individual races and has been the guy the Red, White and Blue wants on the end of a relay.

to let his actions do the talking, which is easy for him because he’s always doing the right things. In front of the group, he has a direct and concise way of speaking, and he does a great job making everyone feel included. He’s been a model of consistency for Team USA, both in his performances in the pool and his personality. He’s consistently patient, compassionate and hard-working.... As a person, I really look up to Nathan. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone balance being a nice person with being an ultra-competitive athlete. You will not find a person that has something bad to say about him.”

>> Nathan Adrian has been a Team USA staple and has been named captain for international competitions on multiple occasions. He has routinely answered the call in his individual races and has been the guy the Red, White and Blue wants on the end of a relay. During his career, he anchored three American relays to Olympic AN ACTIVE LEGEND titles and another to Olympic silver. He also punctuated seven triumphant relays at the World Championships. What will come next for Nathan (Pictured: Adrian at inaugural Prudential Singapore Swim Stars in 2014) Adrian? A fourth trip to the Olympic Games? Another appearance on the mostDuring his career, Adrian has anchored three American relays prestigious podium in the sport? The to Olympic titles and another to Olympic silver. At the World chance to anchor another American relay? A moment to impart his Championships, he has punctuated seven triumphant relays. vast wisdom on younger teammates?

Outside of the pool, Adrian has equally put his leadership skills Still producing elite-level performances, Adrian has the on display. From the way he handled the adversity of his cancer opportunity to further his already lofty reputation. And whenever diagnosis to the upbeat manner he displayed when coronavirus his days in the sport come to an end, Adrian will be viewed for his struck, Adrian has been a steady presence. If he qualifies for the excellence in the sport as an athlete, teammate and ambassador. Tokyo Games, his guidance and persona will surely be a positive Whatever the future holds, Adrian will be able to look back on for the United States. a stellar career: “It’s been a dream come true,” he said. “The whole “Nathan is a natural leader,” said three-time Olympic champion thing has been a dream. I’ve pursued my passion for so long, and Ryan Murphy, a teammate of Adrian’s with Cal Aquatics. “He prefers I’m so grateful for that opportunity.” v

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