Dana Vollmer Video Interview, U.S. Olympic Swimmer

No other athlete got off to a hotter start at the London Olympics than U.S. swimmer Dana Vollmer. On just the second day of the Olympic events, Vollmer, 24, not only won a gold medal, but also set a world record with a time of 55.98, beating out the previous record of 56.98, which was held by Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjostrom.

Born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in Granbury, Texas, Vollmer may have always been athletically gifted, but what makes her so inspiring is her heart and desire to compete. Under coach Ron Forrest, Vollmer was able to find early success while competing for the Fort Worth Area Swim Team. At age 12, she competed for a spot at the 2000 Olympic trials, despite not making the team. In 2003, her swimming career was put on hold for a while, as Vollmer was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, which produces a pulse rate of about 240 beats per minute. While recovering, Vollmer resumed her career, qualifying for the 2004 Summer Olympics, where she was a member of the 4×200 meter freestyle relay team that won the gold medal.

Since her heart surgery, Vollmer has stood on top of the swimming world. Her swimming resume includes many career highlights, such as winning a gold medal at the 2007 World Aquatics Championship in the 4×200 meter freestyle, being named the 2009 NCAA Swimmer of the Year, winning four National Titles and playing a big part in leading the University of California to its first NCAA championship. Vollmer also brought home a bronze and silver medal at the 2009 World Championship in Rome. Last summer, at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, Vollmer brought back three medals — two gold and one silver.

Despite being so caught up in a record-breaking moment, all Vollmer could think about when it was over was her family. “I didn’t know where my family was. I was kind of searching. I was thinking about all the work that so many people around me put in and the belief everyone had in me. “ Vollmer told the Star-Telegram.

“There have been so many moments in my career when I didn’t know if I could keep going. Just knowing that my family was there for me, pushing me along, I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”

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