Western’s Remedy Rule Competes at Olympic Trials

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By Connor Andrews

Remedy Rule swimming butterfly.

Remedy Rule, a rising sophomore at Western Albemarle High School, traveled to Omaha, Nebraska to compete in the Olympic swim trials in June. Rule qualified to compete in the trials for the 100m butterfly with a time of 1:01.96, the 200m butterfly with a time of 2:12.92, and the 200m backstroke with a time of 2:17.22.

At the Olympic trials, Rule swam well against the other athletes. She finished 109th out of 161 competitors in the 100m butterfly with a time of 1:02.40, and 167th out of 186 in the 200m backstroke with a time of 2:21.96.

“[I’m] glad I got this experience at this age even though I didn’t swim as well as I wanted to,” said Rule.

Rule described the trials as having top-notch service and facilities with military guards checking credentials at many entrances. Throughout the facilities, there were areas for massages for the athletes to stay loose, as well as hot tubs and icing stations.

“It’s amazing here,” said Rule. “There is no meet I have ever been to that is greater than this meet. It’s amazing that all this is for swimmers because in the United States, swimming isn’t as big a sport as football.”

Being at the Olympic trials allowed Rule to watch what the other Olympians did and to see what they are doing well.

“[Seeing them is] pretty intimidating,” said Rule. “I’d see them in the warm-up pool and try not to stare.”

“It shows me that dreams do come true,” said Rule. One of her favorite parts of the trials was seeing the reactions of first-time qualifiers for the Olympic team as they realized that they had earned the opportunity to swim for the United States.

“I was really excited to be there and nervous, too because there are so many people in the stands,” said Rule. “Hearing them cheer for you motivates you, but makes you nervous at the same time.

“It makes me want to be better and makes me want to be the one everyone’s watching qualify for the team,” said Rule.

Remedy Rule and Coach Norm Wright at the Olympic Trials in Omaha

In preparation for the trials, Rule began weight training last fall and also chose not to take the short break from swimming she normally would. She also did butterfly endurance work.

Looking ahead, Rule is already thinking about what she will do to improve for her next Olympic trials. She is planning on competing in bigger meets so that she can become used to the crowd and seeing other Olympians.

“All the support I have gotten from friends and family cheering me on has been amazing,” said Rule. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”