Neil Walker, two time Olympic medalist, spoke at the Virginia Swimming Banquet held in Richmond, on October 7, 2007. Swimmers from across Virginia were invited to attend that had participated in Championship meets such as Eastern Zones, Y Nationals, Junior Nationals, and Senior Nationals. Mr. Walker explained to the athletes and their families that even the fastest swimmers have their downfalls, and the difficulties experienced as a swimmer can ultimately enhance a swimmer’s ability.  His main points in the speech were overcoming challenges and adversities, and  only concentrating on issues you, as the swimmer, can control. 

    When a swimmer meets a challenge or adversity the swimmer must examine what needs to be accomplished to overcome the adversity and to never give up. The other swimmers and their times are all uncontrollable.  If these uncontrollable details are focused upon, it will cause cramping, tiredness, poor focus, and ultimately a poor race.  In the final heat of the Men’s 100 Free at the 1996 Olympic trials, Neil Walker was seeded sixth, the last man predicted to make the Olympic team. (The first two swimmers in each race make the team to compete in that event. Four more swimmers are taken in the freestyle events to fill out a relay and have alternates available). Before the race, his mind was only focused on how the other swimmers were going to swim.  That night, he was touched out, placed seventh, and missed the team by one one hundredth of a second.  This failure left him devastated. However, with one door closing another one opened.  He then realized that with the previous failure at the Trials, he had  to work  harder and be better prepared for races to come. He went on to win a national championship with the University of Texas.   After the national championship, he attended the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games at which he claimed world records and medaled.

      Mr. Walker stressed that the difficulties experienced as a swimmer benefit a swimmer in the long run.  He experienced a plateau at the age of fifteen.  This plateau made him rely on hard work and determination that he later used in his world record races.  Failing at a goal or losing major races hurts at the time, but it will help in the long run to deal with challenges and adversity.

    Neil Walker is currently training for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.  He has goals of setting world records and claiming gold medals in his races.  His previous failures have led him to this point and he is prepared for the challenge.  The greatest skill as a swimmer, he stated, is having the ability to overcome failure.