Four-time American Olympic gold medalist runs swim clinic for Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team
COEUR d'ALENE — The 2024 Paris Olympic Games, which concluded this summer, left the swimmers of Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team (CAST) inspired to start a new season of training in the water. Alicia Thornton, head coach of CAST, presented the idea to the team's board of directors of having an accomplished Olympic swimmer run a swim clinic to start the season with positive motivation.
On Sept. 22 at the KROC Center Competition Pool in Coeur d'Alene, 74 attending swimmers from CAST welcomed Jason Lezak, a two-time bronze, two-time silver, and four-time gold U.S. Olympic medalist. Lezak was the anchor for the U.S Men's 4x100 Meter Freestyle Relay in the 2008 Olympics. In the final 25 meters of the relay, Lezak overtook world record holder French anchor Alain Bernard to win the gold for the U.S. team. It is often considered the greatest Olympic swimming relay race of all time.
The swim clinic started at 7 a.m. with Lezak personally greeting each swimmer and signing autographs with messages such as "Dream Big."
Excitement from the kids was evident as Lezak immediately built rapport with them. Swimmers were divided into two groups and each group had an hour and a half of in-water drills with Lezak, focused on freestyle, backstroke and starts.
Drills were followed by a video put together by coach Jorge Ferrero highlighting the career of Lezak and the famous 2008 relay race that won gold for the U.S. It evoked feelings of hope, pride and patriotism, not just from the swimmers, but from families and friends as well. The look on the swimmers' faces was priceless. It was clear that something special was happening.
Lezak's hourlong motivational speech afterward included a message to the kids, "As an Olympic gold medalist I've been through many ups and downs just as you will in sports and life. You won't achieve everything you set out to do and that is OK. The key is how you respond to those challenges, to believe in yourself and never lose sight of your goals. Success isn't about being perfect. It is about perseverance, resilience and always giving your best effort."
Adeline Downing, an 11-year-old swimmer who has been training with CAST for four years, was deeply moved by Lezak's words. "Swimming related or not I will try to remember Mr. Jason Lezak's journey as a swimmer and I will try to stay focused especially in tough times."
The swim clinic was a huge success. Swimmers and parents showed up with open minds and ready to learn from the Olympian. They came home feeling strong and motivated. "I hope all CAST swimmers are inspired by Jason's message of perseverance and never giving up on your dreams and goals," Thornton said.
CAST swimmers are eagerly hypothesizing what Thornton and the board of directors have lined up for the team this year. It is yet to be seen.
Jason Lezak giving a motivational talk to CAST swimmers and parents.