BEIJING, China, August 17. SHORTLY after the conclusion of swimming at the 2008 Beijing Games, U.S. Olympian Larsen Jensen released an open letter to the swimming community. Originally seen as a retirement letter, Swimming World helped get the word out as such. Jensen has since stated that it was not a retirement letter, only a thank you to the swimming community.
Swimming World apologizes for its part in the confusion.
Here is his complete letter:
To all of my family, friends, supporters and Americans who I have never met: Thank you for all the support that you have given Team USA and me. We have all been incredibly honored to represent all of you at the 2008 Olympic Games.
It has been a dream come true to reach the pinnacle of sport success and each of you should consider yourselves a part of that success. I can't thank each of you enough. Today, I swam my final race and it was a tough battle. Unfortunately, I finished out of the medals…
My good friend and training partner Ous Mellouli won the event, and I couldn't be happier for him. He truly deserved it and I look forward to congratulating him personally.
Our final award ceremony today finished the way it started-with the playing of the United States National Anthem. I began to get choked up. I was choked up because I understand what our flag and our anthem represent. It represents freedom and opportunity. Freedom to pursue any dream-and the opportunity to make that dream a reality.
Mine have become a reality, and our team is proof that America is great-and always will be.
A few days ago I received an American Flag and accompanying Flag Citation from Navy Special Operations Task Force – West, Camp Shane Patton, Fallujah, Iraq. I was hoping to personally carry that flag around the pool; but that wasn't in the cards.
However, that flag was carried around the pool by Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, and Jason Lezak for the awards ceremony of the 400 Medley Relay.
They are great Americans and they carried that flag to make all of you proud-they did a damn good job. This team has made me proud by their grace in victory and poise in defeat. A man could never ask for a finer group of men and women to be associated with than our USA Olympians.
It has been an honor to represent The United States of America. I will never forget this experience and I will never take it for granted.
Thanks again America for your support. I, and all U.S. Olympians, look forward to coming home to the land of the free-and never forget WE ARE THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.
Regards, Larsen Jensen
