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Macedonian record holder Marko Blazevski is officially headed to Rio. Blazevski swam the 400 IM in the London Olympics and was also the nation’s flag bearer at that Games. When the FINA entry lists were released last week, Blazevski was surprised to not be included.
Yesterday afternoon, he received word that he would be returning to his second Games. The SwimMAC Elite Team member shared his relief and joy on Twitter.
Blazevski shared with his alma mater, Wingate University, “I thought I had qualified prior to the first announcement in the days after July 4. When the official news came out recently, I was very excited.”
Just two weeks ago at the Greensboro Sectionals, Blazevski set a new Macedonian National Record in the 200 IM.
Former NCAA Division III standout and Macedonian record holder Anastasia Bogdanovski appeared as a Universality entry in the women’s 200 freestyle.
Read the full Press Release from Wingate University below:
Wingate, N.C.—-Wingate University men’s swimming alumnus Marko Blazevski (Skopje, Macedonia) will represent his home country of Macedonia in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The three-time NCAA national champion and three-time Academic All-America will swim the 200 Individual Medley during the Rio games (August 5-21). Blazevski trains with Swim MAC in Charlotte.
“Marko was not included on the original Macedonian Olympic swimming roster,” Wingate head swimming coach Kirk Sanocki says. “After a worldwide showing of support (for Marko), the Macedonian Olympic committee reversed its decision.”
Blazevski carried the Macedonian flag in the opening ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics. At Wingate, Blazevski won the 400 Individual Medley national title for the third time in four years at the 2014 NCAA Division II national swimming championships. For his illustrious WU career, Blazevski collected 16 NCAA All-American trophies (12 individual, four relay) and four honorable mention laurels (four individual swims).
“Marko epitomizes the attributes of hard work, consistency and excellent attitude,” Sanocki says. “All great athletes possess these qualities. Marko uses these attributes as his compass.”
“The fact that Marko is a student of the sport is very important to remember,” Sanocki says. “Our fervent hope is how he performs (in Rio) will inspire young Macedonians to get involved in swimming. Marko desires to move the swimming culture in his country to the next level.”
The 2014 J. Howard Williams Award winner for Wingate University Male Athlete of the Year, Blazevski won four awards at Wingate’s 2014 WUSPYS gala, including Best Championship Performance. Blazevski graduated magna cum laude with a Finance degree at Wingate’s 2014 commencement exercises.
Blazevski won four All-American distinctions in three individual events and one relay as Wingate finished eighth at the 2014 NCAA Division II national meet. The Bulldogs won their seventh straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship as Blazevski won the 200 Butterfly, the 500 Freestyle and the 400 Individual Medley events in 2014.
In 2013, Blazevski was an All-American in the 1000 Freestyle, the 400 IM, the 200 Butterfly and the 800 Free Relay as Wingate finished sixth at the NCAAs. Blazevski and his teammates finished fifth at the 2012 and 2011 NCAA meets. He is an All-BMC performer 16 times in his career with nine league titles (eight individual, one relay).
Q&A WITH WINGATE UNIVERSITY OLYMPIAN MARKO BLAZEVSKI (’14)
What were your first thoughts when you received the good news?
“I felt much relief. I thought I had qualified prior to the first announcement in the days after July 4. When the official news came out recently, I was very excited.”
Share about your training regimen…
“Swimming prepares you for life. The biggest difference between training at Wingate and training in Charlotte is the focus on work outside the pool. When I talked with Kirk (Sanocki) post-Wingate, we agreed this was the area where I needed the most work.”
“The lifestyle change has been significant…I am a professional swimmer! There are so many benefits…competing and traveling with the best of the best. The travel is amazing.”
“My training group includes 16 people. Each person has a different personality and a different background…each person brings a different approach to training and racing. They are all business.”
How did Wingate University prepare you for this moment?
“On the swimming side, my time at Wingate University was really important to my development. I made the biggest improvement, giving me the opportunity to eventually train with the USA Olympic coach and incredible professional athletes. I think Wingate’s proximity to Charlotte was a big factor as well.”
“Swimming and academics at Wingate taught me so much about time management…lessons I have utilized in all aspects of my life. If I decide to move on after the Rio Olympics, my WU finance degree will allow me to get a good job.”
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Reed Miller, Wingate University swimming alumnus and Blazevski’s four-year teammate (’14)
“Marko is obviously a great swimmer…and the duration, intensity and accolades associated with his successes are clear indicators of this fact. He’s also used the sport to make a positive impact on those of us who are lucky enough to have been his teammates.”
“Swimming is a sport of mental toughness, which was something I was lacking when I got to Wingate. Marko and I built a friendship early on at school, which gave me the opportunity to consistently pick the brain of a very hard-working and talented swimmer. He sets extremely clear process goals and tracks his workouts every day. His intrinsic motivation and passion for the sport are apparent and far reaching.”
“With confidence, but not arrogance, he pushed me to be better in the pool and in the classroom while at Wingate. In my mind, his ability to be a great teammate stems from his uncanny ability to laugh at himself. It’s extremely difficult to continue to consistently have fun in the sport of swimming when you get to a certain level, but Marko does this. I’ve told him several times he is living the dream by being able to represent his country in the Olympics and train with some of the best in the world. He has never once argued this point…he has certainly earned the opportunity to be on the world’s biggest swimming stage.”
- OFFICIAL SITE FOR RIO
- RIO COMPETITION SCHEDULE
- WHERE TO WATCH LIVE VIDEO OF OLYMPICS
- USA MEN'S SWIMMING TEAM
- USA WOMEN'S SWIMMING TEAM
- USA DIVERS GOING TO RIO
- USA WOMEN WATER POLO TEAM
- SWIMMING MEDAL PREDICTIONS
- FULL DAY 1 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 2 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 3 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 4 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 5 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 6 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 7 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 8 RESULTS
- WOMEN'S 10K OPEN WATER RESULTS
- MEN'S 10K OPEN WATER RESULTS
- FULL OLYMPIC SWIMMING RESULTS
Luke Phillips