New mom Dana Vollmer chases history in Rio Olympics
RIO DE JANIERO — Dana Vollmer has traded in chasing a toddler around for a shot at chasing history.
Well, for just a couple of weeks.
She could become the first American swimmer to win individual gold after giving birth if she’s able to complete this remarkable journey and win Sunday night’s 100-meter butterfly final.
Vollmer, the defending gold medalist in the event, had her son, Arlen, 17 months ago. Arlen is home in the U.S., along with Vollmer’s husband, Andy Grant, but never far from his mother’s mind.
“I was checking in with them while I was in the ready room,” Vollmer said after posting a 56.56 in Saturday’s preliminary heat. “I know they’re watching.”
Because of Arlen, the lead-up to Rio has been quite different than the lead-up to any other Games. At Olympic trials about a month ago, Andy played the role of Super Dad, taking care of the toddler so Super Mom could focus on making the U.S. team. After she did, Vollmer and her husband planned plenty of FaceTime calls, and a pair of long weekend visits during training camp, first in San Antonio and then Atlanta.
“I feel like I’ve gotten to see them,” Vollmer said Saturday. “Then this in Rio is going to be the longest stretch. We’ll FaceTime. I’m just trying to focus on the fact I’m getting so much more sleep and focusing my energy on the girls. I don’t feel horribly sad. I know that they’re there and supporting me, so I’m trying to just dive into the meet.”
Vollmer qualified fourth for Sunday night's final after a semifinal swim she admitted was disappointing by her own standards. Her stiffest competition is Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom, who broke Vollmer’s world record in the 100 fly last year, lowering it twice at world championships in Kazan, and who set an Olympic record (55.84) during her semifinal swim Saturday evening.
It’s almost astounding to consider what’s at stake in this event. But it’s even wilder to think about how far Vollmer has come in just 17 months. She’s taken a post-pregnancy body and turned it back into that of a world-class swimmer.
By winning silver as part of the American women's 4x100 freestyle relay Saturday night, Vollmer has already become just the second American woman to earn a medal, any medal, after having a baby. And she's got a shot to carve out her own little piece of individual history if she's able to upset Sjostrom Sunday.
“To come back, it was humbling,” Vollmer said back at Olympic trials. “I could hardly make it through warm-up … To think that I would be here swimming faster than I ever have in season? No. I'm stoked that I am, and I'm really excited that I am, and I feel happier in my own life and in my schedule and in the routine that I have — and that makes me really excited going forward.”
PHOTOS: SWIMMING IN RIO