FINA World Championships Top Quotes: Day Six

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Check out quotes and audio interviews from athletes who posted impressive performances during the sixth night of finals at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest!

“I always think I have a shot. I think that’s the reason I’m the swimmer I am… I just had confidence in the training I had done.” — Simone Manuel (USA), after women’s 100 free final (gold, 52.27 AR) on whether she thought she could beat Sarah Sjostrom

“Definitely exciting to be in a final, a little bit overwhelming, great learning experience… I was thinking about how lucky I am to do this. I know so many people want to do this, and only a few people in the world get to be here.” — Mallory Comerford (USA), after women’s 100 free final (fourth, 52.77)

“I don’t know, I just felt a little bit off. It’s kind of been happening a lot this year. It’s not really my race, not really my season, to be honest.” — Ryan Murphy (USA), after men’s 200 back (silver, 1:54.21)

“It was just a lot of frustration from last year built up. Me racing the race, going through the three round and getting my hand on the wall, that was pretty much the goal this year, and now we can start focusing on the time.” — Jacob Pebley (USA), after men’s 200 back final (bronze, 1:55.06), on winning his first long course international medal

“It’ll be interesting to see what’ll happen tomorrow night. Anything can happen—we saw that in the 100 free tonight. Just becaue someone’s in lane four or they have the world record or the fastest time does not mean that they’re going to win.” — Emily Seebohm (AUS), after women’s 200 back semi-finals (qualified first, 2:05.81)

“Just coming home at Nationals, I had the fastest last 50 by over a half-second. I think just putting my head in the game and giving it my all the last 50.” — Kathleen Baker (USA), after women’s 200 back semi-finals (qualified third, 2:06.66), on what she thinks she has to do to win gold in the final

“All this energy and hype that USA’s brought so far this meet has been incredible. I feel great. This has been incredible, such a great experience.” — Regan Smith (USA), after women’s 200 back semi-finals (qualified fifth, 2:07.19 WJR), on how she continues to drop chunks of time

“It definitely takes a lot off my shoulders. I can miss this final, and I could go back happy. But I’m definitely still hungry for this freestyle. This is what I really work for.” — Ben Proud (GBR), after men’s 50 free semi-finals (qualified third, 21.60), on how he approaches 50 free after World title in 50 fly

“It doesn’t really feel like it’s been happening, to be honest. It’s all happened so fast. Pressure is a privilege, and you can really use that to your advantage.” — Bethany Galat (USA), after women’s 200 breast final (silver, 2:21.77).

“It didn’t really hurt that bad. There’s still something left… I guess I know the morning swim wasn’t an accident.” — Caeleb Dressel (USA), after men’s 50 free semi-finals (qualified first, 21.29 AR) and men’s 100 fly semi-finals (qualified first, 50.07)

“We’re teammates. We always have been, and we always will be. I’m excited to race Joe. I know he’s going to be faster, and I know he’s going to give me his all.” — Dressel, on racing Joseph Schooling in men’s 100 fly final

“He’s been having an amazing meet. He’s on form. No one can touch him.” — Schooling (SIN), after men’s 100 fly semi-finals (qualified fourth, 50.78), on Dressel’s outstanding meet

“Well that’s surprising. I thought that was pretty easy, obviously, but if you swim like that, you deserve to miss the final.” — Chad Le Clos (RSA), after men’s 100 fly semi-finals (finished 12th, 51.48)

“We just have such a great atmosphere with Team USA. Everyone’s really proud of each other.” — Kelsi Worrell (USA), after women’s 50 fly semi-final (qualified second, 25.57)

“Third time to final in the 50 fly gives me confidence and experience to swim faster every time.” — Farida Osman (EGY), after women’s 50 fly semi-final (qualified eighth, 25.73)

“I think we all knew we had it in us, and it was just about delivering on the day.” — Duncan Scott (GBR), after men’s 800 free relay (Great Britain won gold, 7:01.70)

“When James (Guy) came in for that finish, I almost took Duncan out coming in for the hug.” — Nicholas Grainger (GBR), after men’s 800 free relay.

“1:43, that’s pretty swift… Every time I get faster towards the end of the week. Why can’t I do that at the beginning of the week. Since the 200 and 400 have been over, I’ve been much more relaxed.” — Guy (GBR), after men’s 800 free relay

“I’m always happy with a medal. Obviously, we always want to be first, but for everyone on this night relay, this is our first World Championships, and I think we have a lot of potential for the years to come.” — Blake Pieroni (USA), after men’s 800 free relay final (USA won bronze, 7:03.18)

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