Jessica Rogers departed for Colorado Springs to attend a
training camp at the US Olympic Training Center this past week as a member of
the USA swimming team. The camp was a preparation event for competition in Guadalajara,
Mexico this coming November for the Parapan Games. The training camp also
included a swim meet.
Jessica took 3 gold medals at the swim meet, in the 50
breast, the 100 breast, and the 200 breast. She also took a third place in the
50M backstroke event. Before, and after the meet, the team had an opportunity
to bond with one another through participation in various activities both
inside and outside the pool, and they chose a team captain. Additionally, there
were presentations about mandatory drug testing, media coverage, traveling as a
team, living in an athlete village, lactate testing, and expectations of
athletes representing the USA at an international competition. Coaches stressed
the importance of the upcoming Parapan Games, as medals at the meet have an
impact on the number of slots allotted for the USA for London 2012. The US
hopes to be able to take a team of about 40 swimmers to London. The Parapan Games
allows athletes who have not experienced living in an athlete village, before,
to have that experience so that they will be accustomed to similar arrangements
in London.
Jessica had a great time living in the athlete residence
hall and dining at the athlete center. She also had some free time to look
around the grounds of the Olympic Training Center.
