Olympic Spotlight: Katinka Hosszu

By Jordan Moore on March 8, 2012 2:23 PM | No Comments

Name: Katinka Hosszu

Age: 21

Hometown: Bafa, Hungary

Events: 200m IM, 400m IM and 200m fly

Resume: Two-time Olympian, World Championships gold medalist, three-time NCAA title winner (USC) and 13-time All-American

Q.) This is obviously a huge year for you with London just months away, but it's also your last season at USC. How important is it for you to leave here on top?

I love this time of year, especially with the NCAA Championships coming up shortly (March 15-17). Having already won three titles, it's still important for me to try and win a few more in the next couple of weeks, but I also just want to take in the experience. It's my last chance to really be with my team and that to me is very special. I have goals for myself, but we also have big goals as a team. There's still time to achieve them.

Q.) You are officially a veteran of the Olympic games, as this will be your third crack at a medal. How will your approach be different heading into London this summer?

I just know what it takes be competitive at the Olympics now and maybe more importantly I know the schedule, what it's like to live in Olympic village and what it's like competing with the whole world watching. There's nothing I could experience this time around that I haven't already seen during my previous Olympic opportunities. I remember in Beijing being awestruck at the site of Kobe Bryant eating in the same cafeteria as I was in. Not this time around.

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Q.) You have four years to get ready between Olympics, but what changes once the calendar hits 2012?

I think I recognize the level of preparation it takes in the year before the games begin. It's just different. My focus is of course to help our team at USC be as successful as it can be. It helps a lot though having several great swimmers on the team who are trying to compete for a spot in London. We recognize that it's about doing the little things. There are times when it's an early morning and it's cold outside and I'd rather be in bed. But I always think there's probably a girl in China working hard right now to be the best. And, I want to beat her.

Q.) What would it mean for you to win a medal for Hungary?

I love swimming here at USC and in the United States. But Hungary is my home country and it will always be my home country. I have a lot of friends and family rooting me on from back there. My goal is to improve from my previous two trips to the Olympics, but obviously earning a medal is the ultimate goal. It would mean so much.

Q.) How would you go about growing the sport of swimming?

It's tough because most people turn it on every four years and that's it. I don't think it's anything I can specifically do myself. I am always inviting people to come to our dual meets here and that's a positive step. International swimming is what people know, but it's also important that we try to get people excited about swimming at the NCAA level. There is no real answer or strategy. It's something we are aware but are still unsure how to solve it. All I can do is compete like I know how to and hope people enjoy watching it.