At this point in her career, Lilly King has emerged as one of the great swimmers of today. The 27-year-old American has just managed to qualify for a second race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, after winning the 200 meters breaststroke in the United States ‘trials’, that is, the internal competition to qualify for the event. rings.
The swimmer’s charisma, in addition to her five Olympic medals between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, make her one of the biggest stars of today. Everything you do or say is highlighted. That is why it caught the world’s attention that her partner asked her to marry him just after achieving the aforementioned second classification in Paris. King, like a queen, accepted the marriage request and merged in a hug that went around the world.
After Lilly King qualified for her second race for the Paris Olympics, her fiancé gave her a ring of her own. 💍 #SwimTrials24 pic.twitter.com/UgnfeyJYgO
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 21, 2024
King’s figure is on the rise. In Rio 2016 he won gold in the 100 meter breaststroke and in the 4×100 medley with Team United States. In Tokyo, meanwhile, he won silver in the 200 meter breaststroke and the 4×100 medley; and bronze in 100 meter breaststroke. Giant honors if we consider the 10 gold medals and the two silver medals that he has obtained in the Swimming World Cup between 2017 and 2023.
EVERYTHING WAS COMPETITION FOR THE KING’S SIBLINGS
King’s competitiveness, however, comes from the inner core of his family. According to the official site of the Olympic Games, she has always been competing with her brother Alex, younger than her and who has pushed her to seek high performance. And let it be understood well, it is not a negative competition, but a natural encouragement from brother to sister. “Whether it was swimming or running to clean their rooms and finish their piano lessons, everything was a competition for the King brothers,” Olympics.com reported.
“Having that really healthy relationship with competition at such a young age is something that shaped my confidence because I would go to a competition, even when I played other sports, I would go to any competition and say, ‘Well, whatever happens happens.’ It’s just a race. It’s not that big of a deal,'” Lilly told the aforementioned site.
The competitions between the two ranged from who did better in their piano lessons, who did their homework faster, or even who took the least time to clean their room. “Any time my brother and I could compete, we did,” the American added.
That drive has taken her to the top of the world in her sport. And also to have a unique personality within swimming. She herself told about her behavior before entering the pool, where she is divided between two facets: the Lilly who intimidates her rivals with her gaze, capable of staring at another until she becomes uncomfortable; or the playful Lilly who seems unfocused before competing. Although, of course, that ends when you jump into the pool and do your business.
The truth is that the path traveled has led her to be one of the best swimmers in the world. Olympic and world medalist, whether in long or short course, Lilly always leaves her mark.
