The Summer Olympics
Triathlete Gwen Jorgensen's coach talks about what it takes to be a champion
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Mike Jacobs reports Video by tmj4.com
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BROWN DEER - Olympic triathlete Gwen Jorgensen may be known for swimming, biking, and running, but her first big splash was in the pool.
Gwen's former swim coach Dave Anderson explains, "Although she loves swimming--it's her first sport and passion, she found out quickly, as good as she was at swimming, she was much better at running."
Gwen agrees. She says, "Running is actually my strongest point. I was relatively never a good swimmer, so I've had to work hard at it."
Anderson spent hundreds of hours at Schroeder Aquatic Center coaching the 26-year-old, and knows her secret to winning.
"She's a super human being--she's bright, and extraordinarily hard-working, and that's what's got her to the point she's at right now," Anderson says. He adds, "There is no one in the world faster off the run than Gwen."
He even traveled to London to watch his former student go for her dream of an Olympic medal. "You go and have a person you know well, have worked with, who's over there competing at the highest level, that's really special."
Dave hopes Gwen's influence rubs off on his younger swim students. After all, you never know who could be the next Gwen!
"Part of our job is to focus on excellence, and being really good at swimming, and that requires an increasing amount of participation and dedication," Anderson advises.
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