Austin Surhoff will have five chances to finally break through and reach his first Olympics during the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., June 26-July 3.
If he can qualify in the 200-meter freestyle, 200m individual medley, 200m backstroke, 100m freestyle or 100m backstroke, Surhoff will accomplish his biggest breakthrough in his swimming career. Whether he makes it to Rio de Janeiro or not, he already knows his third attempt at making the Olympic team will mark the end of his competitive swimming career.
So, obviously, it would mean just a little bit more if he made it.
"If I were to make the team, it would reframe everything I've done as a stepping stone towards a culmination in my career, which would be qualifying for the Olympic team," Surhoff said. "A smattering of accomplishments would be seen more as a journey towards a final destination. It would also be reaching a final step in the swimming community as well as reaching the pinnacle in the public's eyes."
