Katie Grimes Olympics: After her first Olympics in Paris more than four years ago, Katie Grimes has become a big deal in the United States for the sport. She wants to win a medal now to move on, but who is this smart eighteen-year-old?
Katie Grimes: The future
Katie Grimes gets it done 🤝#SwimTrials24 | @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/zu5yZm6H9f
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) June 18, 2024
Nearly four years ago, Katie Grimes secured her spot in the Tokyo Games by placing second in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials. Following the finish, Katie Ledecky, the race winner and the most decorated female swimmer in history, offered some encouraging words.
Ledecky made her own debut at the age of 15. “You’re the future,” I told her the other day when she finished third in her mile. And I informed her that she was the presently following that [final]. Ledecky ultimately won her third consecutive gold medal, while Grimes ended just short of the podium in Tokyo. Despite this, Grimes did not forget the experience.
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“That was pretty crazy,” she remarked, recalling the praise that, at the time, she found difficult to take in because it came from her childhood hero. She went by “Katie Squared” on the circuit today, a moniker Ledecky herself gave her. She was the It-swimmer, along with Michael Phelps, so I always looked up to her. It was cool, for sure, but hearing her say that was shocking at first—I don’t even believe I understood it. Grimes has certainly progressed from her days as a competitive swimmer for the Sandpipers in her native Nevada.
Now, what comes next for Katie Grimes?
In other words, what can we anticipate from Grimes in Paris going forward? Interestingly, she still has a chance to win the 400-meter individual medley (where she finished second to Ledecky) and the 1,500-meter freestyle, where she has continued to improve. She attributes this to her efforts both in and out of the pool.
The 18-year-old said to E!, “I know the saying is ‘work smarter, not harder,’ but I feel like we do both really well.” We have literally put in so much work—so many meters—that I know I can accomplish anything. That has motivated me and given me confidence for the upcoming summer. I am completely confident in both my physique and thoughts.
Grimes also believes that her family has a significant role in her continuous development. Due of pandemic limitations, many athletes and their families—many of whom didn’t even attend the games themselves—missed events like the opening and closing ceremonies in Tokyo. Thus, even though she has competed in the Olympics before, one could argue that this is her first real Olympic experience.
Grimes remembered, “Everything was empty, even the stands.” Nobody was able to watch, not even my parents. She is excited about how things will be different in Paris. Grimes stated, “It’s one thing to explain it to them or show them pictures, but having them there to be a part of it will be awesome.” They put in just as much effort as I do, therefore I’m thrilled that they will also receive those rewards.
What a swim!
Katie Grimes and Emma Weyant battled to the end in the women’s 400m IM final. #SwimTrials24
📺 NBC & @peacock pic.twitter.com/1mcFxyTZSJ
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 18, 2024
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What happens next? Grimes, as we all know, won three events in the Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions in April, in addition to the 400m individual medley at this year’s Olympic trials in the spring. After that strong performance, she won the women’s 10k in May at the 2024 Open Water National & Junior National Championships, clocking in at 1:58:18—four minutes quicker than her qualifying mark for the Olympics.
She talked about her strategy while referring to those long swims. Grimes remarked, “I’m constantly calculating and reviewing strategy.” Even if practice sessions can be “a little more meditative,” being fully present in the moment still requires a lot of mental work and grinding. She continued, “You can be squandering movement if you’re not present in the moment. It’s crucial to keep your attention on what you’re doing at all times and to avoid straying from it.
Naturally, that’s easier said than done, which is why she gives herself timeouts with force. She is well aware that rest and recuperation are just as vital as training, whether she is watching TV, hanging out with her family, or taking her classic Corvette for a spin. She stated, “Practice and competition can definitely take a toll, not only physically but also mentally,” she said, “and sometimes emotionally, too.Being able to relax and not even think about the pool is hard to do as an athlete. But it’s necessary to think about anything other than swimming for just a little bit of time.”
