Topeka swimmers get a taste of this year’s Olympics

TOPEKA (KSNT) – The 2024 Olympic Games kick off this week in Paris and several Topeka athletes got a taste of what it’s like to compete at the highest level.

Howard Hunte has been the head coach of Topeka Swim Association (TSA) for seven years. TSA has qualified six swimmers for previous Olympic trials.

In June, Howard took a group of swimmers to watch the Olympic trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, an opportunity he told 27 News he couldn’t pass up.

“That’s what we coach. We try to get our swimmers to believe that they can actually make it,” Hunte said. “So it’s always good to see it in real life. See what it looks like and see what swimming at the highest level possible looks like.”

Howard says seeing some of the best swimmers in the world encourages and influences his Topeka swimmers in many ways.

“We all have dreams when we’re little. And you know we all want to be the best at something or the best at whatever sport,” Hunte said. “I think if we can see that and make it seem like this is something we can actually achieve, it makes it easier for the kids.”

His 10-year-old son Sebastian was among 40 other swimmers attending this year’s Olympic trials. He tells 27 News that watching his favorite swimmer inspires him to pursue his own swimming dreams.

“Michael Phelps is my favorite,” Sebastian said. “He’s the best and I want to be an Olympic swimmer.”

Howard says there is one important lesson he wants all his swimmers to take away as they watch this year’s Olympics.

“I think you shouldn’t just look at the swimmers as heroes or the fastest swimmers, you should look at them as people who are doing pretty much the same thing we’re doing, just at a higher level. They’re just as human as we are,” Howard said.

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