This past summer, junior Miguel Cancel earned the opportunity to compete at the 2016 USA Swimming Olympic Team Trials. Cancel qualified to swim the 400-meter Individual Medley and finished 33rd out of a total of 100 swimmers, at a personal best of 4:26:65.
“My time at Trials was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I was able to compete with not only some of the best swimmers in the country, but the greatest athletes on the planet. It was a dream come true and I feel more than privileged to have been able to attend the fastest meet in the world,” said Cancel.
Despite the pressures that come with being one of the youngest competitors in a pool of the nation’s best swimmers, Cancel handled himself as if he were a veteran.
“I didn’t really get nervous at all. Qualifying for the big competition was the nerve-wracking part of it. When I got there it was all fun just learning from the athletes I admire most. I now know I have a long way to go to be at the top,” said Cancel.
After picking up on different techniques and tricks from professionals at Trials, Cancel is working hard to achieve his future goals.
“Come 2020, my hope is to be a part of the United States Olympic Swim Team in Tokyo, Japan. I am looking to improve in every little and big detail in order to do this,” said Cancel.
The 2016 Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil commenced Aug. 5 and concluded on Aug. 21. The Games showcased a variety of 42 sports and a grand total of 306 events over the 19 days of competition. The entirety of the two weeks were full of surprises, emotions, and controversy.
Prior to the start, there already was a lot of skepticism surrounding
Rio de Janeiro’s ability to adequately host both the competition and athletes. A main factor in athletes declining the once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in Rio was due to potential exposure to the Zika virus. Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol publicly stated that the virus was the main reason for his hesitation in deciding to participate. The sanitation and safety
of the water in Rio de Janeiro raised concern, as well. The athletes were advised not to drink or even swim in the water unless in an aquatic event due to contamination from pollution.
As expected, Team USA dominated the Games from start to finish with an impressive 121 total medals (54 more than second-place Great Britain). Gymnastics star Simone Biles won four gold medals and one bronze as part of
the “Final Five” women’s team. In the swimming pool, both Michael Phelps
and Katie Ledecky had record-setting performances. Phelps won three gold medals, marking his 23rd gold overall and breaking the previous record of 21 medals, set by Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union. Phelps announced that he plans to retire after these Games. Likewise, Ledecky made her defining mark in Brazil, winning four gold medals and one sliver. In fact, she broke her own world record in the 400-meter freestyle.
As far as highlights from other countries, Usain Bolt was yet again a force in the Track & Field events. He took home three gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 4×100-meter relay. With these accomplishments, Bolt has solidified himself as one of the greatest Olympians in history. He also announced he plans to retire after these Games.
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
