From the June issue of Swimming World Magazine, Emily Seebohm answers a few questions that provide insight into the life and career of the Olympic medalist.
Get Swimming World Magazine and Swimming World Biweekly FREE When You
Become A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
New! 30 Day Membership to ISHOF AND Digital Swimming World Subscription for just $10 a month!
Want more? Get a 1 Year ISHOF Family Membership With Swimming World Print AND Digital Subscription Order Now!
Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here
Swimming World takes a get-to-know-you look with Olympic medalists in our new “Podium Potpourri” series. Next up is three-time Olympian for Australia, Emily Seebohm.
WHAT IS YOUR PUMP-UP SONG BEFORE YOU GET BEHIND THE BLOCKS OR WHILE YOU’RE IN THE READY ROOM? WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE SONG THAT SPEAKS TO YOU?
I don’t listen to music in the ready room—I am more of a talker. I found if I sit there and don’t talk, I get in my own head. When I am stretching, though, I love my music, and my all-time go-to artist is Taylor Swift…always gets me in the mood!
WAS THERE ANOTHER SPORT YOU PARTICIPATED IN WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? ANY MEMORIES STAND OUT?
I did so many different sports growing up, I just couldn’t get enough of it. I really loved netball outside of swimming, but I always got so mad when we weren’t doing well. I finally realized that I was much better suited for a sport in which (the outcome) was just up to me.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND/OR BOOK? WHY?
This is pretty much out of left field—and no one would ever think that—but I just love Jurassic Park—especially 1 and 3. I felt Jurassic Park 2 was a letdown. I’m also really enjoying the new ones as well.
COMPARE YOURSELF TO A SUPERHERO—WHICH ONE AND WHY?
I am going to go with Catwoman. I am super agile and flexible—and growing up with brothers, I can fight!
WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR MEDALS?
Nowhere special—really just at mum-and-dad’s house. They aren’t even locked up, and I think my 2017 gold World Championships medal went missing at a school appearance I did.
WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND ON THE PODIUM IN TOKYO? HOW WAS IT DIFFERENT FROM YOUR FIRST OLYMPIC PODIUM?
I asked Kaylee (McKeown) before we went out to the podium if I could present her medal. I really wanted to be able to do something special like that because we had no family there watching, and I train with Kaylee’s sister. I felt like I was doing it for her. I mean, who can say that they presented an Olympic gold medal?!
WHAT WAS IT LIKE SEEING SO MUCH OLYMPIC SUCCESS FROM AUSTRALIA IN TOKYO?
It was such an amazing experience—very different from other Olympics, being so separated from the world and really using each other for support.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO FOOD AFTER A BIG MEET WHEN YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE? WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT THAT?
At the Olympics, it was pizza. Otherwise, I love nachos and Thai…but not together!
WHEN DID YOUR LOVE OF HORSES BEGIN, AND HOW HAS THAT GROWN OVER THE YEARS?
I grew up watching a show here in Australia called The Saddle Club—like I was obsessed with it! So that’s where the passion and love for horses came. I got my first horse at 16, but he passed away only six months after having him.
Swimming got really busy, and it wasn’t until 2013 when I got my second horse, Platinum, who is the most beautiful thing ever. He’s almost 18 now, so he’s a little slower and needs more rest, but he’s loving life out in the paddocks and being the boss over some pony friends he has.