Michigan has always had a great swimming historical pedigree. From the Olympic trials in 1948 at the Rouge Pools on the west side of Detroit to current day, top talent has showcased front and center. When Olympic swimmer Allison Schmitt stopped home after her 2012 London experience she joined the long list of former champions from the area.
In front of an overflow crowd at Heritage Park, Schmitt went on to exclaim, “I haven’t been home since December. To be able to relax and share this with my family and supporters is great. Being here is amazing. I’m just so glad to be home.”
Allison Thanks Her Teachers
As the crowd listened attentively, she also singled out some of her teachers from both elementary and high school. She tried to acknowledge as many of her former classmates from her 2008 Canton High School graduation class as she could see. There were so many people. Overall, Allison was besieged.
The five time London medal winner stopped home for three days before heading to Athens, Georgia for school obligations later in the week. She was peppered with questions regarding London, Michael Phelps, the Olympic pool and her Olympic village routine in London.
Swimming was highlighted during broadcast coverage at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The 22-year-old swimmer had become a familiar face nationally with all her NBC prime television time.
Earlier, she appeared at the Summit-on-the-Park recreation building with her family. “It’s something I want to share with everyone,” she said sitting between her parents Gail and Ralph Schmitt. “Every person that’s helped me get to where I am today, just being able to share my success with other people means a lot to me.”
Patience And Grace
At this event, her patience and grace were a compliment to her parents and also Coach Jack Bauerle’s varsity swimming program at Georgia. Schmitt is working toward a degree in psychology. Later she signed autographs, posed for photos and always displayed her ever-present smile.
I’m still the same person and I hope people treat me the same
“I’m definitely thinking about Rio,” Schmitt said. “I am planning to do four more years, I had a great Olympics this past time, it was a lot of fun and I want to repeat it. So I am definitely looking forward to Rio in 2016.”
Schmitt finished her address to the crowd with, “I have one more day with my family. I’m expecting to go back (Athens) and be the same exact person. I don’t know if I will be, I don’t know if people will look at me different. But I’m the same person – if I came back with no medals or if I came back with five medals – I’m still the same person and I hope people treat me the same.”
Later the Canton Township community presented her with a personalized embroidered Olympic flag and a proclamation from the township supervisor.