58 Swimming Quotes from Professional Swimmers You Can Study From

Swimming isn’t simple. 

Perhaps observe has been difficult. You’re drained, stiff, and sore. The water is chilly. You’re coming off a nasty swim meet. You’ve plateaued within the water, and also you’re questioning for those who’ll ever be capable to enhance once more. 

You may have a thousand totally different excuses that you would be able to fall again on. And rightly so. 

However will you let your excuses mean you can get the most effective of you? To get the most effective of your targets? 

Feeling this manner is regular, and each swimmer experiences this every now and then. Nevertheless, attempt to maintain an open thoughts. Take into consideration your long-term targets. To get there, you’ll have to push by means of now, regardless of the way you’re feeling. 

Generally all we want is a little bit of motivation or inspiration to get us going. So earlier than you skip swim observe, learn this text first. It’d simply be the increase you want. 

Or perhaps issues aren’t all so doom and gloom, and also you’re simply on the lookout for enjoyable swimming quotes to write down in your coaching log. 

Regardless of the case, listed below are a few of my favourite swimming quotes from Olympic swimmers. 

My purpose right here isn’t simply to provide the quotes however to see what sensible recommendation we will derive from them and apply to swimming and our lives. 

Motivational Swimming Quotes from Olympic Swimmers

”It’s not about being the most effective. It’s about being higher than you had been yesterday.”

– Florent Manaudou (Olympic Gold Medalist)

If you wish to really feel depressing about your self and your achievements, always examine your self to others. 

Don’t get me improper. Comparability is sweet. It’s what drives us to work more durable and be higher. And sometimes, evaluating your self to others could be a wholesome motivator.

The issues begin to come up once we always examine ourselves to different swimmers.

Most of the time, these comparisons aren’t an correct reflection of our progress. Everyone seems to be totally different. Everybody’s circumstances are totally different. And this shall be mirrored in our progress as effectively.

The one genuinely correct comparability you can also make is towards your self. That is why I’m a giant advocate for every day self-reflection and holding a coaching journal. 

You too can apply this idea to overview your swim meets and races. 

By being conscious of your shortcomings and the place you’re going improper, you’ll be able to skyrocket your progress and outcomes. 

If you happen to’re up for it, I like to recommend doing this on your private life and targets as effectively. 

Associated swimming quotes from different Olympic swimmers:

• “I come to observe day-after-day with the mindset that I’m there to get higher.” – Caeleb Dressel 
• “I’m making an attempt to do the most effective I can. I’m not involved with tomorrow, however with what goes on as we speak.” – Mark Spitz
• “I nonetheless imagine there’s big room for enchancment, whether or not it’s dietary, stroke, mechanics, mental- I’m nonetheless studying.” – Roland Schoeman

“The largest factor that I’ve at all times stated is rarely hand over. I by no means have, and no one ever ought to. If they need one thing unhealthy sufficient, they’ll get it.”

– Michael Phelps (23x Olympic Gold Medalist)

Fast query right here for all the aggressive swimmers– what number of instances have you ever felt like giving up?

I do know that thought has simply crossed my thoughts greater than a dozen instances all through my swimming profession. And that’s most likely an understatement. 

Right here’s the factor. I’m a agency believer within the saying: “you solely lose when you stop,” and it’s served me effectively through the years.

As of penning this, I’m presently in a plateau myself. I haven’t swam a PB in my fundamental occasion in over two years. And sure, I’ll be the primary to confess a few of it’s my fault. May I’ve educated more durable? May I’ve educated extra? Completely. 

Will I hand over? No. 

Why not? As a result of I do know from previous expertise that I at all times come again stronger and higher if I maintain working and don’t stop. Regardless of the endeavor could also be. 

The essential factor right here is to acknowledge and proper your errors (suppose: coaching log) and never dwell on them. Preserve exhibiting up day-after-day and maintain coaching laborious, regardless of your present state of affairs. Issues will get higher for those who work on them. 

Associated swimming quotes:

• “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement.” – Matt Biondi
• “Goals do come true… by no means cease believing.” – Josh Davis

“You’ve simply received to attempt to maintain enhancing a little bit bit every day and carry on coaching to maneuver that needle as shut as you’ll be able to to good.”

– Ryan Murphy (4x Olympic Gold Medalist)

Lengthy-term consistency beats quick bursts of effort any day. 

Concentrate on getting 1% higher each single day. That’s it. That’s the key to success. 

Mastering that is more durable stated than executed, nevertheless it’s a aggressive benefit that few individuals will ever be capable to beat. 

A sensible instance (and a narrative that I like) is the British biking crew. They went practically 100 years, successful solely a single gold medal on the Olympic video games. And so they fared even worse on the Tour de France. 

This was till a brand new coach by the identify of Dave Brailsford confirmed up. His complete coaching philosophy was based mostly on incremental positive factors. And he utilized this philosophy to each the plain and unobvious areas of the crew’s coaching. 

The outcomes? 5 years later, the British biking crew gained 60% of all of the biking gold medals on the Beijing Olympic Video games. Quick ahead one other 4 years to the London Video games, they usually had damaged 9 Olympic and 7 world information.

That’s the ability of constant incremental enhancements. 

One thing else that I need to level out right here is that it’s a must to be prepared to be affected person. Turning into nice at one thing takes plenty of time. There isn’t a secret. There isn’t a shortcut. You must put within the effort and time.

“Ache is short-term– delight is endlessly.”

– Alexander Popov (4x Olympic Gold Medalist)

Have you ever ever slacked off the final 10 meters of your race? How about in coaching?

Now suppose again to the final time you gained a medal, made a remaining, certified for that massive meet, achieved that purpose time, and even simply went actually quick in observe. How did it really feel?

We regularly get caught up in our minds focusing and getting distracted by the short-term ache, discomfort, and fatigue our our bodies face. It occurs to the most effective of us. 

The hot button is to acknowledge when it’s occurring and never enable it to get the most effective of us. 

Don’t enable short-term ache within the final 10 meters of your race to destroy your entire factor and all of the hours and energy you’ve put into coaching. 

Associated Swimming Quotes:

• “I informed myself there was no approach I used to be going to let this coaching go to waste. It was my time, and I used to be able to go.” – Katie Hoff
• “Apply such as you’re not ok to win. Race such as you’re too good to lose.” – Katie Ledecky
• “If you wish to be the most effective, it’s a must to be prepared to do issues that different individuals aren’t prepared to do.” – Michael Phelps

“So many individuals alongside the best way, no matter it’s you aspire to do, will let you know it might’t be executed. However all it takes is creativeness. You dream. You propose. You attain.”

– Michael Phelps (39x World Report Holder)

What number of instances have individuals unrightfully doubted you? 

I’m not saying to take individuals’s doubts and throw all of it out of the window, both. Usually it comes from a well-intentioned place, they usually merely need the most effective for you. 

However it’s essential to do not forget that most individuals are extremely risk-averse, particularly within the modern-day. 

Generally you simply should take that leap. Be sure it’s a calculated leap. You might want to have a plan. You want actions you’ll take to get to your targets.  

And perhaps you fail. 

That’s okay, too, since you would’ve realized one thing from it. More than likely, you’ll understand that you’re able to a lot greater than you give your self credit score for. However for those who don’t no less than give your self an opportunity, you’ll by no means know what you’ll be able to obtain. 

“Everybody can practice laborious after they’re feeling good. However it’s the times whenever you’re feeling unhealthy that it’s a must to step up. That’s when champions step up. They pull by means of.”

– Chad Le Clos (Olympic Gold Medalist)

Coaching gained’t at all times be simple. You’ll get drained, sore, and stiff. Perhaps it’s a must to endure chilly water or another impediment.

However it’s typically throughout these laborious periods the place we take advantage of progress if we’re prepared to push our our bodies a bit more durable. Not simply bodily progress however psychological progress as effectively.

There may be truly an idea for this in sports activities science referred to as super-compensation. The fundamental concept is that after a interval of coaching and making use of stress on the physique, there’s a drop-off in efficiency as a result of fatigue. After recovering (a lighter exercise, for instance), the physique rebounds to above its earlier efficiency baseline. 

Whereas the super-compensation impact doesn’t final, it’s going to inevitably elevate your efficiency baseline to greater ranges over time. 

“I feel targets ought to by no means be simple. They need to drive you to work, even when they’re uncomfortable on the time.”

– Michael Phelps (28x Olympic Medalist)

Having targets for the stuff you need to obtain is extraordinarily essential. Targets provide you with route.

However there’s a caveat. 

Your targets should be difficult. They should push you to your limits. They should make you query whether or not they’re even attainable to realize. 

Former Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner David Goggins explains this very effectively. Right here’s what he has to say: 

“I requested him a query. Do you might have concern of not reaching these targets? He stated no… Nicely, that’s the issue. You’re setting targets you realize you’ll be able to attain, and whenever you do this, that concern, that insecurity, that’s the place you develop; he’s not getting that. You should at all times set targets that you simply suppose you can’t obtain, after which there you get higher.” 

In terms of setting targets, I like to recommend breaking them down. I’m not saying make them simple. However don’t begin by making the Olympic video games your purpose when you might have but to realize a nationwide title. Don’t make a nationwide title your purpose when you might have but to achieve a nationwide remaining. 

Break it down. Be sure your targets are difficult and push your limits. However sequence them in steps that result in your final purpose and solely give attention to the following step. 

Personally, I discover this course of rather more satisfying and fewer overwhelming. It additionally yields higher outcomes because you at all times know what the following step is that it’s a must to take to get the place you need to go.

Associated swimming quotes:

• “I wished to do one thing that no one had ever executed earlier than. And that began with a dream and a purpose.” – Michael Phelps 
• “With out targets, coaching has no route.” – Natalie Coughlin 

“We’ve seen, again and again when individuals give attention to the end result reasonably than what must be executed to realize a fascinating outcome, then the wheels fall off.”

– Cate Campbell (4x Olympic Gold Medalist)

Determine the actions it’s essential to take to realize your purpose.

Don’t confuse actions and outcomes. Actions are in your management. Outcomes should not.

An consequence is the symptom of a sequence of actions. 

Focus solely on the actions it’s essential to take to realize an consequence. Make the standard of your actions the purpose. Don’t make the end result itself your purpose. 

“It’s what you do with the tough patches that may outline the athlete that you simply’ll change into.”

– Dana Vollmer (5x Olympic Gold Medalist)

Progress isn’t linear. Usually it strikes by means of phases of little to no progress adopted by an exponential leap.

However for those who use these phases of little to no progress to give attention to constructing your basis, the leap is a lot greater when it does occur. The broader and stronger your basis, the upper you’ll be able to construct. 

Most individuals will stop after they don’t see the outcomes they need. That is the place the weak get weeded out. There’s a saying that the purpose the place you need to stop is commonly the purpose at which you’re about to succeed. 

That is additionally intertwined with our idea of incremental positive factors that we mentioned earlier. Progress is gradual at first, however over time, these 1% enhancements compound and result in extraordinary outcomes. 

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“Issues gained’t go completely. It’s all about the way you adapt from these issues and study from errors.”

– Michael Phelps (23x Olympic Gold Medalist)

What number of instances have you ever undertaken one thing the place every thing went completely and precisely as deliberate? 

I don’t suppose that’s ever been the case for me.

Nevertheless, by being open-minded and making use of a development mindset, you need to use this stuff to change into higher than you’ve ever been. 

Most individuals shrink back from errors. We’ve been conditioned to suppose that errors are a nasty factor. However the factor is, errors are a unbelievable studying alternative.

Usually we study extra from failure than success. 

Keep in mind our little dialogue about utilizing a coaching log for self-reflection about your swimming? If you happen to don’t self-reflect, it’s laborious to acknowledge your errors, it’s difficult to study from them, it’s unimaginable to repair them, and you might be certain to repeat them. 

Associated swimming quotes:

• “Failing at one thing is the easiest way to study what it takes to succeed at it. Failing to make the Seoul Olympic crew was the start of my success, sarcastically sufficient” – Summer time Sanders
• “There are going to be obstacles that are available in your approach. Keep optimistic.” – Michael Phelps. 
• “Usually talking, I’ve at all times discovered setbacks extraordinarily motivating. You by no means recognize these setbacks on the time, however for those who change your angle, you’ll be able to flip them right into a extremely motivational instrument.” – Natalie Coughlin. 

“I attempt to make the nice days nice and take one thing optimistic from the times I’m not feeling good – work on approach or one thing like that.”

– Katie Ledecky (7x Olympic Gold Medalist)

The very fact of the matter is there are some days whenever you simply aren’t going to have the ability to practice as laborious as you need to.

Perhaps your physique is simply too fatigued. Perhaps circumstances outdoors of swimming aren’t excellent– faculty is hard, you haven’t been getting sufficient sleep, you’re wired, and so on. 

Nevertheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless make your coaching session worthwhile. If you happen to’re going to be within the pool for the following 2 hours, why not attempt to profit from it? Work on underwaters, hand entry, turns, respiratory, and so on. 

Are you able to enhance your underwaters by 1%? 

Choose one factor and give attention to that for the exercise. Most of us can do with some extra approach work anyway. 

“Nice issues by no means come from consolation zones.”

– Penny Oleksiak (Olympic Gold Medalist)

How simple is it to get locked up within the routine of going to coaching, doing the exercise, pushing ourselves a bit right here and there, skipping a 50 right here, or slacking off a bit there? How many people do that?

Be sincere.

Whereas this routine will, in all chance, nonetheless mean you can make progress for a while, there’ll come a degree the place it locks you right into a everlasting plateau that you would be able to’t escape. 

In case your purpose is making progress as quick as attainable, this additionally isn’t a very efficient technique. 

To change into the most effective swimmer that you would be able to be, you’ll be able to’t get caught on this routine of consolation. You must be always progressing outdoors of your consolation zone and pushing your boundaries in coaching. 

One other quote by Nicole Haislett (a 3-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer) completely suits with this: “Determine your private limits after which push previous them. Then set new obstacles, and repeat the method time and again, and once more.”

As soon as once more, how can you make sure that you don’t get caught on this routine of consolation and that you simply’re always making progress? Self-reflect. Have a coaching journal. 

“Excellent preparation prevents poor efficiency, the 5 P’s.”

– Sue Rolph (3x Commonwealth Video games Gold Medalist)

Did you present as much as your whole swim practices over the past season? Did you do your whole dryland exercises? How about your diet? Did you stretch? Sleep sufficient? Did you make certain to finish your coaching journal? 

What in regards to the precise high quality of every exercise? How was that?

And that’s not even every thing. There are extra issues that I can name- race technique, visualization, and so on. 

If you wish to carry out at a excessive stage, it’s a must to hit all the markers each single day. And you’ll’t simply hit them; it’s a must to guarantee they’re top quality.

I’m not saying it’s a must to get every thing 110% good each single day for 5 years straight. That’s unimaginable. Life doesn’t enable for it. Not even the most effective of the most effective can do this. 

But when you will get the standard of every thing you do to 80% and hit that marker day-after-day, you’re going to make plenty of progress all through a season. It’s a lot better to get the 80% day-after-day than it’s to get the 110% every now and then. 

And for those who can’t do this but, go for the 70%, the 60%, and so forth. Begin someplace and construct it up till you’ll be able to always repeat it. Then transfer to the next stage. 

Associated swimming quotes:

• “The rationale swimming is among the hardest sports activities is that it’s a must to be within the pool by your self day-after-day, making that sacrifice. There’s no time to do the rest.” – Chad le Clos
• “Simply do the rattling work” – Burce Gemmell (Katie Ledecky’s coach)
• “I would like to have the ability to look again and say, ‘I’ve executed every thing I can, and I used to be profitable.’ I don’t need to look again and say I ought to have executed this or that.” – Michael Phelps
• “Confidence comes from what you do in observe each single day” – Jordan Wilimovsky.  
• “There are lots of people which can be very proficient. However simply don’t work at it. It’s a waste of expertise for those who don’t work at it and enhance.” – Tracy Calkins 
• “If you happen to fail to organize, you’re ready to fail.” – Mark Spitz
• “You don’t need to line up on the blocks and know you haven’t executed every thing you presumably can.” – Stephanie Rice 
• “I swam the race like I educated to swim it. It’s not mathematical. I simply let my physique do it. It’s a lot simpler for those who let your physique do what it’s educated for.” – Ian Thorpe. 

Inspirational Swimming Quotes from Olympic Swimmers

“The stuff you study from sports activities – setting targets, being a part of a crew, confidence – that’s invaluable. It’s not about trophies and ribbons. It’s about being on time for observe, accepting challenges, and being petrified of the weather.”

– Summer time Sanders (2x Olympic Gold Medalist)

I’m not the most effective swimmer on the market and can by no means be. Certain, I’ve had my moments of victory, and chances are high you’ve had them too.

However for me, swimming is about much more than successful. It’s in regards to the classes I study, the chums I make, the experiences I collect, and the flexibility to grasp not solely my physique but in addition my thoughts.

I’m not saying that successful doesn’t matter. There isn’t a different feeling like the joys you get from touching the wall first and taking gold. 

However don’t make it your sole focus.

If you happen to make successful your sole focus, you’re going to have a troublesome time within the sport and gained’t take pleasure in it practically as a lot as you should. 

Have a look at every thing else that swimming has to supply. Acknowledge. Study. Apply it to different areas of your life. 

Associated swimming quotes:

• “Crucial lesson I’ve realized from sports activities is how one can be not solely a gracious winner however a great loser as effectively. Not everybody wins on a regular basis; as a matter of truth, nobody wins on a regular basis. Profitable is the simple half; shedding is actually powerful. However you study extra from one loss than you do from one million wins. You study so much about sportsmanship.” – Amy Van Dyken
• “It’s not about successful on the Olympic video games; it’s about making an attempt to win. The motto is quicker, greater, and stronger. Not quickest, highest, strongest. Generally it’s the making an attempt that issues.” – Bronte Barratt
• “It’s not likely about counting medals for me. It’s nearly getting higher day-after-day.” – Caeleb Dressel. 

“Being your greatest is just not a lot about overcoming the obstacles different individuals place in entrance of you as it’s about overcoming the obstacles we place in entrance of ourselves. It has nothing to do with what number of instances you win or lose. It has no relation to the place you end in a race or whether or not you break world information. However it does have every thing to do with having the imaginative and prescient to dream, the braveness to get better from adversity, and the dedication by no means to be shifted out of your targets.”

– Kieren Perkins (2x Olympic Gold Medalist)

You’ve most likely heard the age-old recommendation of believing in your self earlier than.

It’s typically simple to look previous it and shrug it off as being “wishy-washy.” 

However it holds plenty of fact. If you happen to don’t imagine in your self and your targets and that it’s the realm of risk to realize them, you then gained’t.

Since you’ll cease earlier than you even get shut. I imply– what are the possibilities you’ll maintain chasing after one thing you don’t even imagine you’ll be able to obtain?

I’m not telling you to be unrealistic. 

However who defines what unrealistic is? That’s one thing you outline for your self. I’ve stated it earlier than, however most individuals don’t have any sense of what’s attainable for them to realize.

Why? As a result of they haven’t even tried. Earlier than you deem one thing unrealistic or implausible, you higher give it a great run for its cash. 

Associated swimming quotes:

• “The extra you imagine in your self, the quicker you’re going to get.” – Adam Peaty
• “The more durable I labored, the higher I received. The higher I received, the extra I believed in myself and the targets I wished to realize in swimming.” – Erik Vendt 
• “A real champion is aware of how one can overcome doubts and handle these doubts and switch them into motivation.” – Misty Hyman 
• “The physique does what the thoughts prefers.” – Lenny Krayzelburg 
• “You possibly can’t put a restrict on something. The extra you dream, the farther you get”. – Michael Phelps

“Benefit from the journey, take pleasure in each second, and cease worrying about successful and shedding.”

– Matt Biondi (8x Olympic Gold Medalist)

As aggressive swimmers, we frequently get so locked up chasing after our targets that we neglect to benefit from the journey alongside the best way.

Most frequently, the success that comes from doing one thing isn’t in reaching the purpose however within the strategy of working in the direction of that purpose. The key is in your every day actions. That is additionally the place you’ll be spending most of your time.

When you attain the purpose, it’s solely a quick second of satisfaction, and you then transfer on to your subsequent purpose. 

So strive to not take every thing so severely on a regular basis. Have enjoyable. Benefit from the course of. And as Jeff Rouse (see quote beneath) says: “Get pleasure from swimming for swimming’s sake.” 

Associated Swimming Quotes:

• “Generally we complain, however there’s something lovely about waking up earlier than everybody to get higher at what we love.” – Natalie Coughlin
• “Get pleasure from swimming for swimming’s sake. Now we have to spend far an excessive amount of time within the water to not benefit from the strategy of difficult your self of shifting by means of the water.” – Jeff Rouse
• “If you happen to actually love one thing, that by no means dies, and it by no means goes away, and that’s what it’s like with swimming… I genuinely love the game, whether or not I’m competing or not. No matter I’m doing, I’ll nonetheless love the game; it’s such a fantastic factor to be part of.” – Rebecca Adlington 
• “My favourite quote is from my dad, ‘Do your greatest and have enjoyable.’ That’s just about what I’ve lived by.” – Amanda Beard
• “An enormous a part of swimming for me is I like it, and it’s so a lot enjoyable.” – Missy Franklin
• “It’s unbelievable; I’m swimming so quick. I went in with no expectations. I simply went out hoping to get a private greatest. I went on the market with a smile, simply to have enjoyable and see what would occur.” – Jade Edmistone
• “It’s not the vacation spot, it’s the journey.” – Missy Franklin

“For myself, shedding is just not coming second. It’s getting out of the water figuring out you can have executed higher. For myself, I’ve gained each race I’ve been in.”

– Ian Thorpe (5x Olympic Gold Medalist)

Whether or not you are taking gold, podium, and even make the ultimate is out of your management.

Sure, you’ll be able to argue that it’s in your management within the sense that for those who educated extra, more durable, or higher, then it might be within the realm of potentialities. 

However what for those who did all of these issues? What for those who made the a lot of the assets out there to you?

You possibly can’t management whether or not or not one other swimmer goes quicker than you. You possibly can’t management if they’re extra proficient than you, have extra entry to assets, and so on.

However you’ll be able to management what you do. Solely you’ll know for those who gave it your all.

Associated Inspirational Swimming Quotes:

• “I can not management what goes on in one other lane, and that is how I give attention to the video games. There isn’t a level in being nervous about different swimmers. It’s nearly specializing in your self and what it’s essential to do with a purpose to carry out at your greatest.” – Cameron van der Burgh
• “You’re at all times racing towards the opposite swimmers, however I at all times attempt to give attention to what I’m doing and the way I need to swim my races.” – Katie Ledecky
• “By no means fear about what anybody else is doing…Simply swim your individual race.” – Dara Torres
• “Tonight was not about successful; it was about specializing in myself and what I used to be aiming to do. It’s the explanation why I used to be capable of swim so effectively.” – Libby Lenton (Trickett)

Swimming Quotes Can Give You a Motivational Enhance

Whether or not you wanted a motivational increase or had been on the lookout for a couple of fascinating swimming quotes, I hope you discovered what you had been on the lookout for.

On the finish of the day, there’s nothing improper with on the lookout for an exterior supply of motivation every now and then whenever you want it (corresponding to these swimming quotes), however your true supply of success shall be present in being disciplined to carry out the identical difficult duties day in and day trip, no matter how you are feeling.