As part of Boosh's coverage of the Olympic Games coming up, we had the opportunity to chat with 21 year old swimming sensation Jessica Hardy. Hailing from Long Beach, this California girl set the world record for the 100m breaststroke while she was a senior in high school. After slaughtering the college competition for two years at Cal, Jessica turned her sights on Beijing and focussed professionally on her swimming leading up to the games. Which has already paid off - Hardy scored another World Record for the 50m breaststroke at the Olympic Qualifying last month.
**Since this interview was conducted, Jessica's eligibility has been taken into question. It seems there may be issues with her samples from earlier this month that tested positive for a banned stimulant. Whether Hardy will be competing in the three events which she qualified for in Beijing is up in the air at this time. We hope Jessica gets the matter sorted out and gets back into the water in time for the Games.
First thing we all want to know - how does it feel to be 21 and hold a world record? Should the rest of us feel sort of bad that our biggest accomplishment was waking up this morning?
hahah! Really, I don't feel any different than you! I have really high expectations of myself, never really too content with my own performances, I'm constantly looking for the next way to get ahead. I do sometimes slow down to appreciate the things I have done, but I definitely should do that more.
How many hours a week would you say you spend in the water?
Too many! I spend from 2-5 hours a day in the water, 6 days a week.
What is your standard practice routine like?
Morning practice every morning. I do dryland and a second workout on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Sunday is off.
Some students have enough trouble with life and classes alone - when you were at CAL, how hard was it to balance swimming and college?
It was very difficult. I really struggled and found my academics were being affected. I knew that if I took time off of school to focus on swimming now, while I am young and can still be fast, that I would be able to go back to school when there was some down time in my career and be able to put the emphasis on education that it deserves.
Do you feel you got the "normal" college experience?
Yes, I think I had a semi-normal college experience. I got to live in the dorms, eat cafeteria food, make lots of irreplaceable friendships that I know I will have close to forever. I met my boyfriend there, I took some amazingly hard courses... just in general, had the time of my life.
What would be your top 5 songs to listen to for getting psyched for a meet?
1. i kissed a girl - katy perry
2. satisfaction - benny bennassi
3. harder, better, faster, stronger - daft punk
4. technologic - daft punk
5. put your hands up for detroit - fedde le grand
You're swimming a couple different events in Beijing. Which ones are you most looking forward to?
I am equally looking forward to all of them! I am the most comfortable in the 100 breaststroke, so I think that is the one that I kind of have some sort of expectations for. I love swimming relays, and this is the first time that I will be swimming TWO for the USA team, and I couldn't be more excited.
Who is your biggest competition for the Games?
The Australian women have recently dethroned us of being first in the world, so I know that we are going to have to be on our A-games to have a shot of keeping up with them.
Beverage of choice after a long day in the water? For celebrating?
A nice glass of wine, or margarita if I'm out for Mexican food. I don't drink/celebrate that often, so one is usually enough for me!
What days should everyone be watching the Olympics to see you do your thing?
I'm not sure of the schedule, but since I am swimming more events than usual, you'll definitely have more opportunities to see me swim! Check it out!
Be sure to watch the US team attempt to dethrone the Aussies this August on the World Stage.
More Olympic Mayhem:
Guess the Ages: US Women's Gymnastics Team
Exclusive with 23 year old Graham Biehl (Sailing)
