KHJ News brings you the following interview with our Olympian swimmer Tilali Scanlan who completed her first event at the Tokyo Olympics last night.
She finished 3rd in her heat in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:10.01, beating her personal best of 1:13.
What was going through your mind when you were in that pool competing with the world’s best female swimmers.
Tilali:I felt fantastic racing last night! I was very nervous leading up to diving in, but I stayed focused on what my coaches told me and let instinct take over once I hit the water. I am very pleased with the result as well. Previously, I’d never gone under 1:14 in an official competition to set a new AS record. My fastest time before in training trials was a 1:12.32. My goal time was to go under 1:11 and I nearly broke 1:10! To say I’m pleased is an understatement. I worked hard to keep my technique and form intact the whole race so I could come back strong in the last 50 and finish hard. It paid off! I was elated to see my time on the scoreboard after. To take that much time off in the span of seven months from my seed time is great for me!
What has it been like since arriving in Tokyo abd competing in your first Olympics?
Tilali: My time in the village has been exciting thus far. Even with social distancing practices, I still feel the happiness and excitement of others around us, who are also happy to be here representing their countries. I am making the most of this experience while staying safe and following the protocols in place. The organizing committee is doing an excellent job providing the athletes with a safe and enjoyable experience at this Games.
The world watched you carrying the American Samoa flag during the parade of nations. What was that like?
Tilali: The opening ceremony was a surreal experience for me. I’d never held our flag before for an opening, and I was very proud to display our small island country for the world to see and admire. It makes me happy that others can see and appreciate our culture as we have theirs. The Japanese volunteers really made the night for me, they were so joyful and supportive!
Any message for the people of American Samoa?
Tilali: I hope that people from AS are proud and happy for the team here competing. It is no easy feat to race the best of the world, but I brought my A-game last night and did it with heart. Many people would not know the amount of work that was put into that race. All those years of training came down to less than 2 minutes of performance, but that’s what the sport is all about, and it is not for everyone. I know the majority of people from AS do not follow swimming, and it isn’t a popular sport, but I hope whoever watched and supported was happy to do so. I am glad I got to do what I love for my home that I love in front of the whole world and to give my country the exposure it needs in the sport of swimming.
Any final words?
Tilali: That is it for me here now! Next on the plan is to get home safely later in August and await the reopening of the Pala Lagoon Swimming Center to continue my training for short course worlds later this year.
