Getting to Paris has been special, but different from past Olympics I’ve competed in, since this entire year. — he was diagnosed with a rare, stage 4 lung cancer at age 30 — but what most people don’t know is how it’s impacted our entire team. I’m personally going through this with him, but my team has been going through it, too — both as teammates and as friends.
Pat had a collegiate career within our sport so he knows what’s going on. I see the admiration my teammates have for him, and they see the passion and excitement he has for water polo. He gave an inspirational talk to our team, and I think he has a lot to do with the way we’ve been playing, fighting and competing so far in Paris.
My teammates have said that if Pat’s fighting cancer, they can swim another lap, or work even a little harder. When they make comments like that, it makes it worth it — being here. Although sport is amazing, when life throws something at you like a cancer diagnosis, it all seems a little bit less important.
But we’re all inspired by him, and I’m happy he’s a part of our process. Now that we’ve made it here, it’s time to play for him, and to show the world the work that this team’s put in, and to prove to myself that I can do hard things. I got the chance to show my husband around the .
I wanted to take him because and unless you’re on an Olympic team, you don’t see that. My favorite part is the apartments where you live with other Team USA athletes. It�.