SARASOTA – At just 19-year-old, a Sarasota swimmer pulled a major upset by out swimming three former Olympians – punching her ticket to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
“It’s been a week ago that I swam. I haven’t slept at all this week, I’m just so excited and I’m so grateful to represent USA,” said Emma Weyant.
A shocking turn of events last week at the United States Swimming Olympic Trials held at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. 19-year-old Emma Weyant finished first in the women’s 400 individual medley qualifying for the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
But it was Weyant who was shocked Monday afternoon to see friends and family awaiting her return to the Suncoast with a homecoming celebration of Olympic proportions.
“I said it once, I have the best team in the world,” said Weyant. “I didn’t know there would be that many people out here today but I’m just so grateful for them.”
A show of sportsmanship between teammates supporting one another. It’s what makes Sarasota Sharks Swim Team Head Coach and CEO Brent Arckey proud to be a part of this team.
“We’re growing, we’ve got a lot of support,” said Arckey. “A lot of people are loving what we’re doing, and I mean I think you just saw it today.”
Coach Arckey says Weyant’s performance at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials just goes to show the caliber of athlete that she is – considering she out swam three former Olympians and punched her golden ticket to Tokyo with the fastest time in the world this year in the women’s 400 individual medley.
Undeniable feats that turned the Riverview High School graduate into a household name overnight here on the Suncoast.
And with it a new found fame Weyant says will take time getting used to.
“Honestly, this has been really weird. It’s kinda crazy this all happened so suddenly,” Weyant said. “It was a crazy feeling it was all surreal and it was just a dream come true honestly.”
The Summer Olympics are set to begin on July 23rd with the opening ceremony. The swimming competitions are scheduled to start July 24th and will run through August 5th.