Lilly King Eager to Attack the Olympic Year (Video Interview); Looking At First ‘Normal Olympics’
In a pair of Olympic appearances (Rio de Janeiro/Tokyo), Lilly King has totaled five medals. The highlight was a title in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2016 Games. At the Tokyo Games, King earned three medals, silver in the 200 breaststroke and 400 medley relay, along with bronze in the 100 breaststroke.
During the red-carpet festivities at the recent Golden Goggle Awards, King discussed the upcoming Olympic campaign and how training and the excitement level ramp up. She also noted that she’s looking forward to her first “normal Olympics.” In 2016, King was a rookie and didn’t know what to expect in Rio. Five years later, the Tokyo Games lacked fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2024 Olympics are scheduled for Paris, and King hopes she’ll be in the French capital for her third Games.
At last summer’s World Championships, King claimed a silver medal in the 50 breaststroke and handled the breaststroke leg on the United States’ triumphant 400 medley relay. She just missed additional medals in the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke, where she finished fourth. If King can navigate the always testing United States Trials, she figures to be a major player in the podium race in Paris.
During the Golden Goggle Awards, Swimming World had the chance to catch up with King and find out how she is approaching the Olympic campaign. Here is King’s interview from the red carpet.