American swimmer David Johnston chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about his first-ever Olympics experience at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
English author A.A. Milne once said: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” This quote applies to David Johnston.
Background on David Johnston
He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and graduated high school in 2020. Johnston graduated in three years from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Communication and Leadership and a minor in Business. He is the American Record holder in the 800 meter freestyle race in the short course meters pool, and he was the 2023 U.S. champion in the men’s 400 meter freestyle race; moreover, he is an eight-time individual All-American in the NCAA. He has rightfully earned the postnominals (OLY) to his name.
Johnston on making his first-ever U.S. Olympic team
On making his first-ever U.S. Olympic team, he said, “It was awesome. My 1,500 meter freestyle race was my best race of the meet. While I didn’t have a great meet overall, it was good to pull through when I needed to the most. I trained really hard all year. I trained a lot of meters to get ready for the 1,500 free race. While I don’t think it is my best event, I’m glad it helped me punch my ticket to the Paris Olympic Games.”
“It was a lot of fun to get the gear and to have that experience. I am really happy that I made it,” he exclaimed.
Johnston revealed that he was under the weather while swimming in Paris. “I tested positive for COVID on the fourth day of the meet, and I was swimming on the eighth day of the meet,” he said.
Johnston continued, “I tested positive 96 hours before my race, so it was not an ideal time and I wasn’t 100 percent, but I went out and I am glad I swam it anyway. That was really unfortunate, but I would rather have COVID at the Olympics than be at home.”
He shared that he subsequently scratched the 10K open water race. “I wanted to give my body a rest,” he admitted. “It was unfortunate that I didn’t get to do it, because I really wanted to do the open water. I wanted to do everything that I can.”
“Even though I normally don’t do the 10K race, I accepted it because I like to be versatile and I like to try everything,” he admitted.
Johnston on being coached by Bob Bowman
Johnston is thrilled to be coached by the legendary Bob Bowman at the University of Texas in Austin.
“I’ll definitely keep swimming for the next Olympics,” he said. “I will keep going through 2028 (Los Angeles Olympics) and probably 2032, if I am healthy and I am making teams.
Future plans
On his future plans, Johnston shared, “This year, I will be in Texas through the end of the NCAAs, and I would like to stay here another year, and continue swimming on the college team because I have two more years of eligibility. I am feeling really confident, I am enjoying my team, and I really like Coach Bob Bowman. I really think it’s going to be a great year. I think I can achieve a lot.”
Working with U.S. Olympic Head Coach Anthony Nesty
He shared that he enjoyed working with U.S. Olympic Men’s Head Coach Anthony Nesty at the swimming training camp. “I think Coach Nesty is a really good and tough coach,” he said. “Nesty understands how things operate out there. It was Katie Ledecky, Bobby Finke, Luke Whitlock and me doing these long-distance workouts.”
David Johnston on Katie Ledecky
Johnston went on to praise Katie Ledecky and her performance at the Olympic Games for being “really good!” “Katie is the GOAT,” he exclaimed. “She will beat you, if you are not careful. If you are not on you’re A-game, she will beat you. She is really quick, and she is really faster than a lot of the guys.”
“Growing up, she was one of my favorite swimmers,” he revealed. “What I always liked about her is that she dominated the distance freestyle races, at a time when not that many distance swimmers got that recognition and notoriety. As a distance swimmer myself, it is my goal to someday get that recognition and notoriety as well.”
“Katie has done a lot for the sport, and she is really humble,” he said. “Katie never talks about her achievements, she doesn’t ever complain (not once), and that’s what is good about her. Katie has great character.”
David Johnston on Steven Cuoco and Power 98.5 Satellite Radio
Johnston expressed that he was honored to have been interviewed by acclaimed radio and TV personality Steven Cuoco for Power 98.5 Satellite Radio. “Steven Cuoco is just an incredible guy. I would love to talk to him again sometime,” he said. “Steven’s interview was a lot of fun.”
Their entire informed conversation may be heard below.
“This year, even though I made the Olympics, I didn’t achieve what I wanted to… but I know there is a lot more that I am capable of achieving.
Carson Foster’s wedding
Johnston had great words about being a part of his dear friend and training-mate Carson Foster’s recent wedding to Meredith. “That was a really, really nice wedding. It was a lot of fun, and it was great to be there with other fellow swimmers,” he admitted.
Message for his fans and supporters
For his fans and supporters, Johnston said, “They have made a big difference this year. I don’t think I would have made the Olympic team without the support of my family and friends. I had a lot of people reach out to me from my hometown in Dallas, Texas. I really appreciate all of their support. It means a lot, and they keep me going.”
Hopefully, the Paris Summer Olympic Games are substantial indication that the best is yet to come for David Johnston, and that the sky is the limit for him!
To learn more about American Olympian David Johnston, OLY, follow him on Instagram.
