Two-time Olympic gold medalist gives pep talk to McAllen swimmers

McAllen - Hard work always pays off, just ask two-time Olympic gold medalist Garrett Weber-Gale.

Gale, who won two gold medals during the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing, told members of the McAllen Swim Club Sunday that they can achieve their goals through trying their best and never letting disappointment keep them from pursuing their dreams.

He also hosted a swim clinic at the Rowe High School’s pool Saturday, where about 60 children participated
in exercises and
swimming drills.

The Olympian told the group about his experiences in competitive swimming and how setbacks like how he didn’t make the Olympic team in 2004 and how he learned in 2005 he had dangerously high blood pressure didn’t keep him from pursuing his dream of winning a gold medal.

Gale called failing to make the team in 2004 “the biggest disappointment in his life.”

But one of his coaches told him to look at the scoreboard, remember how he felt the day and promise himself he’d never feel that way again.

“I promised I would never feel that way again,” he said.

Gale went on to win two gold medals as part of the U.S. 4 X 100 relay team and become the first American to break 48 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle, coming in at 47.78 seconds. He also is the American record holder in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 21.47.

He also didn’t let his high blood pressure get in the way of his commitment to competitive swimming. Gale said he started eating healthy and even started cooking his own food. He has listed recipes on his Web site and is always looking for new healthy dishes to cook.

Changing his diet also helped him improve his speed in the water.

“Swimming and having a good diet and being successful in school and life is all about the little things,” Gale said.

Club members said they enjoyed swimming with Gale and felt inspired by his life story. The swimmers said they also appreciated how he taught them new techniques.

“It was cool because he really didn’t start (competitive) swimming until he was … 14. Most of us started around 6,” said Hoyt Crouch, 11, from the Sharyland area.

Twin brothers Arthur and Aaron Longoria, both 14-year-old freshmen at McAllen High School, said they like how Gale uses his disappointments to motivate him to do better.

“He really motivated us,” Aaron said.

Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.