Olympian gives Toowoomba swimmers the key to success

Olympic gold medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook dived into action at a Toowoomba swimming camp this week and the Tokyo star had some sage words of advice for young swimmers.

Olympian Zac Stubblety-Cook with (from left) Isla Lotz, Georgia Hood, Jeiron Yong and Olivia Grubb at the Australian Swim Camps event in Toowoomba. Picture: Nev Madsen.

SWIMMING: It might seem a little cliche, but Olympic gold medallist Zac Stubblety-Cook says a love for his sport is a big part of his success.

“There’s all the nitty gritty stuff – stroke, technique, fitness, they’re your meat and potatoes,” the 200m breaststroke Tokyo Olympics champion said.

“Fundamentally though I think you need to be enjoying the sport you are doing.

“For me it’s an outlet for my values of getting the best out of myself.

“My advice is definitely enjoy the process.

“You’re going to have ups and downs, but the downs are what it takes to have the ups.

“Enjoy the ride because without the journey you can’t appreciate the success.”

Stubblety-Cook was among a number of elite swimmers and coaching staff attending the Australian Swim Camps event hosted by The Glennie Aquatic Centre and The Glennie Swim Club this week.

He participated in practical sessions alongside swimmers from across the Darling Downs and beyond.

The Glennie Swim Club member Jeiron Yong was thrilled to see a “legend” in the pool where he trains.

“It’s been an awesome experience,” Yong said.

“You see elite swimmers like Zac on TV and you think about them as legends.

“To see someone like him, to hear and learn from him is a fantastic experience.

“We (the swimmers) will all make our own way through life, but listening to Zac talk about his journey we now know it’s not impossible.

“If you work hard and truly enjoy what you are doing you achieve anything.