Phoebe Bacon admits swimming the backstroke in the U.S. is terrifying.
The gauntlet of talent, speed and history is a lot to live up to and a lot to overcome every single race.
Bacon has now managed to do that for the second time, making her second Olympics in the 200 backstroke.
“Coming into it this year, I was terrified,” Phoebe Bacon said. “The 200 back and 100 back for that matter, in the U.S. is ungodly fast. Some of the competitors are all right there. I knew if I was able to stay mentally strong and physically strong I had a chance.”
But now, Bacon and Regan Smith are ready to put the fear to the world in the 200 backstroke.
“Being able to swim with her will be awesome. I think the rest of the world better be scared of us. We don’t like to lose,” Bacon said after the race.
Bacon used a strong surge in the final 20 meters to overtake Claire Curzan for the second Olympic spot in an event that had five Olympians.
“A whirlwind of emotions. I am happy and so excited for Paris. I knew in semifinals, I knew what I was going to have to do in the final,” Bacon said. “I came under the jumbotron and I knew I had to go.
“I got my hand to the wall, almost blacked out – just got there.”
Bacon has overcome a lot of the downs in an up-and-down couple of years.
“It is all the pressure. I didn’t see myself having much pressure at swim meets, but last year it started showing up in places I didn’t expect, whether it be in practice or a meet,” Bacon said. “I have been working with my coaches and other mental health providers and was able to come into this meet headstrong.
“Just surround myself with things and people that I enjoy. Keep me smiling and I am going to swim well.”
Well enough to get her hand on the wall and punch her ticket to a second Olympics.
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Although the 100m Backstroke now has a genuine battle of two greats in former WR holder Kaylee and new WR breaker Regan. In the 200m Kaylee is still well in front and the Queen!