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Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Interview with Rikako Ikee / Swimming Star Wants to Leave Pool Knowing She Did Her Best
In one of the most remarkable and inspiring stories in Japan sports history, swimming star Rikako Ikee battled back from leukemia to not only compete again, but qualify for the both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old Tokyo native and Japan record-holder in five individual events made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, then made her first major splash in the sport at the 2018 Asian Games, where she became the first Japanese swimmer in history to win six gold medals. But in February the following year, she was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent a long, grueling recovery. To the shock of the sports world, she returned to competition in August 2020, and made Japan's team to the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 in the relays. She earned a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 100-meter butterfly, but did not advance past the semifinals. Later this month, Ikee will serve as captain of the Japan women's swimming team at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. In an interview with Yomiuri Shimbun Sports Writer Satoshi Morii, she talked about her prospects for a first ever world medal and her long-range goals regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The following are Yomiuri Shimbun: What do you think about the World Championships? Rikako Ikee: Looking at my time in the 50-meter butterfly (25.41 seconds) at the Japan championships in March, I think I might have a chance for a first medal. It's just a matter of doing it. I have to keep building up year by year in the three years up to the Los Angeles Olympics. I think it also is important for me to enjoy swimming this year. Yomiuri: What would a medal mean? Ikee: Of course I want one, but fate has been against me. In 2019, I was in the mix for the No. 1 or 2 world ranking, but I became sick. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, I ended up just participating. I'm now among the top in the world in the 50 butterfly, but it is a difficult event in which you can fall short just when you think you're doing well. The key is not to try too hard. If I can do that, I can see a medal. Yomiuri: The 50 butterfly has been added to the Olympic program. Ikee: More than being happy about that, I feel a sense of obligation because it will draw everyone's attention. I'm ranked among the world's best, but I cannot afford to let my guard down even for a moment. Yomiuri: What are your thoughts on the Olympics? Ikee: I think I'm the only one who has experienced such different Olympics. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, I was a first-year high school student on my way up, and the Games was a dazzling event. I never thought I would be at the Tokyo Games, but I was in the relays. At last year's Paris Olympics, I wanted good results in individual events, but I was made painfully aware that the world is not so easy. I think I have a deeper experience of the Olympics than anyone else. When I was a high schooler, I thought I would win a gold medal at the Olympics. The illness prevented that from happening, and I realized the importance of the Olympics and how difficult it is. Being an Olympic athlete sounds cool, but I do not want to end my career as just a participant. Yomiuri: You said you would bring your career to a culmination at the next Olympics. Ikee: I want to finish with results that make me feel I have done my best in my swimming career. I have decided to retire no matter how I do. I want people who support me to think, 'She did her best,' not only in the 50-meter butterfly, but also in the 100-meter race. I only have a few years left, with only so many competitions. I need to deal with it and cherish it more. Yomiuri: In September last year, you announced that the leukemia had gone into complete remission. Ikee: I was sure everything was fine because I felt good, but every time I went for my annual checkup, I thought, 'Please don't let it come back.' Even after returning to competition, it was tough. I had to face the reality that went from No. 1 in the world to being unable to swim. Why me? What did I do wrong? That's all I could think of. There was a time when I couldn't perform well, and I looked for flaws and said only negative things. Now I have changed to a positive mindset. Yomiuri: You moved your training base to Australia in the autumn of 2023. Did that have a big effect? Ikee: I'm living each day to the fullest, so that I have no regrets. I am trying out different things, such as changing my training. I can speak English a little now, and this has shortened the communication gap with other athletes. In May, I went by myself to compete in a European meet. It was tough, but it was an experience I could have only because of what I went through. As my career winds down, I want to continue having such experiences and interacting with others, and make friends from around the world.
7NEWS
23-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Australian Olympic gold medallist Chloe Dalton forced to retire from sport after back surgery
With a sporting career inspired by Cathy Freeman, fellow Olympic gold medallist and multi-sports star Chloe Dalton has been forced to retire due a back injury. Part of the champion women's sevens rugby team at the 2016 Rio Games, Dalton also played AFLW for both Carlton and GWS over seven seasons, running out for 32 games. Demonstrating her versatility and skill, she also played in the WNBL before switching her focus to rugby sevens. Requiring back surgery after an injury ended her 2024 season with the Giants, Dalton said she's failed to recover sufficiently to resume her career. 'Retired. After a second back surgery nine months ago, my body hasn't bounced back to the point where I can play footy again,' the 31-year-old posted on social media. 'It's been a tricky process trying to come to terms with the fact that my sporting career has finished through injury.' Loading Instagram Post Dalton posted a series of photos and told the story of her sporting journey; how she was determined to win an Olympic gold medal after watching Freeman's triumph at the Sydney Games. When realising she wasn't good enough to make the Australian basketball team she set her sights on sevens. 'I went onto Google and typed in lists of Olympic sports,' Dalton wrote. 'Rugby sevens would be in the Olympics for the first time in 2016. I had just 2.5 years to learn how to play rugby and secure myself a ticket on that plane to Rio. '... That seven-year-old girl got to stand on the podium and have her very own Olympic gold medal put around her neck.' Dalton said that she then saw AFLW on television and, although she didn't know the rules, wanted to play. Joining the Blues in 2018, she was part of Carlton's grand final team a year later. She decided to switch back to sevens to compete at the Tokyo Olympics but shattered her cheekbone four weeks out from the Games. After launching The Female Athlete Project, which is a platform to highlight the sporting achievements of women, she then resumed her AFLW career with GWS but injuries restricted her to just 16 games across four seasons. Dalton became a mother with partner Riley giving birth to son Fred last November. ''What's next' seems to be the question people ask when you say you're retiring,' she wrote. 'Number one is being a mum to Fred with Riles. He is my greatest joy.' After announcing her retirement the Giants congratulated Dalton her achievements and contribution. 'Chloe's impact both on and off the field for the Giants has been profound and she'll leave a lasting legacy with her teammates, coaches and staff,' GWS women's football boss Alison Zell said.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Dalton's stellar sports career dimmed by back injury
With a sporting career inspired by Cathy Freeman, fellow Olympic gold medallist and multi-sports star Chloe Dalton has been forced to retire due a back injury. Part of the champion women's sevens rugby team at the 2016 Rio Games, Dalton also played AFLW for both Carlton and GWS over seven seasons, running out for 32 games. Demonstrating her versatility and skill, she also played in the WNBL before switching her focus to rugby sevens. Requiring back surgery after an injury ended her 2024 season with the Giants, Dalton said she's failed to recover sufficiently to resume her career. "Retired. After a second back surgery nine months ago, my body hasn't bounced back to the point where I can play footy again," the 31-year-old posted on social media. "It's been a tricky process trying to come to terms with the fact that my sporting career has finished through injury." Dalton posted a series of photos and told the story of her sporting journey; how she was determined to win an Olympic gold medal after watching Freeman's triumph at the Sydney Games. When realising she wasn't good enough to make the Australian basketball team she set her sights on sevens. "I went onto Google and typed in lists of Olympic sports," Dalton wrote. "Rugby sevens would be in the Olympics for the first time in 2016. I had just 2.5 years to learn how to play rugby and secure myself a ticket on that plane to Rio. "... That seven year old girl got to stand on the podium and have her very own Olympic gold medal put around her neck." Dalton said that she then saw AFLW on television and, although she didn't know the rules, wanted to play. Joining the Blues in 2018, she was part of Carlton's grand final team a year later. She decided to switch back to sevens to compete at the Tokyo Olympics but shattered her cheekbone four weeks out from the Games. After launching The Female Athlete Project, which is a platform to highlight the sporting achievements of women, she then resumed her AFLW career with GWS but injuries restricted her to just 16 games across four seasons. After announcing her retirement the Giants congratulated Dalton her achievements and contribution. "Chloe's impact both on and off the field for the Giants has been profound and she'll leave a lasting legacy with her teammates, coaches and staff," GWS women's football boss Alison Zell said.
NBC Sports
29-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 Toyota U.S. Swimming Championships TV, live stream schedule
The Toyota U.S. Swimming Championships, the meet that determines the team for this summer's World Championships, airs live on Peacock from June 3-7. The top two finishers per event — plus up to the top six in the 100m and 200m freestyles for relay purposes — make the team for worlds in Singapore in July and August, should they meet a minimum qualifying time and the total roster not exceed 26 swimmers per gender. Headliners include all four U.S. swimmers who won individual gold at the Paris Olympics — Katie Ledecky, Kate Douglass, Torri Huske and Bobby Finke. Plus individual gold medalists from the 2016 Rio Games Simone Manuel and Lilly King and world record holders Regan Smith and Gretchen Walsh. Already this season, Ledecky and Walsh broke world records in the 800m free and 100m butterfly, respectively, at a Tyr Pro Series meet in Fort Lauderdale. The U.S. Championships will be followed by rival Australia's trials from June 9-14. 2025 U.S. Swimming Championships Schedule *Highlights show Nick Zaccardi,
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
What's the reasons behind Indian badminton's descent from the glory days?
Lack of structured training Back to May 2025. The youngsters still look half-cooked. On a few occasions, there seems to be a visible lack in strength and stamina because of which they cannot control rallies. End game seems weak and if a match lasts longer they seem exhausted, both mentally and physically. Like one expert had pointed out, a sport like badminton needs supremely fit players. The sport relies on fitness, strength and endurance to be precise and until and unless there is a structured programme, this cannot be achieved. It has to be groomed right from the grassroots through a systematic programme. So does India have such a programme? Strength and conditioning is an integral part of training in an aerobic sport like badminton. One doesn't have to go far. Take the example of Indian hockey. After the 2016 Rio Games, there was a systematic overhaul and one such focal point was fitness. That not only helped them with speed but with more endurance they lasted longer like Duracell batteries. In badminton, however, players train everywhere so monitoring needs to be stricter and robust. Like other federations because of SAI and other organisations and foundations top players don't lack a physio or a trainer like in the good old days. Undermining coaching plan? There have been occasions when parents became a tad overzealous while supporting their wards. There have been incidents when a few even accompany their wards with or without the knowledge of BAI or SAI. Some point towards the funds they have been getting from various sources. Sometimes, despite the BAI fixing the calendar in consultation with coaches, a few players find ways to participate without consulting the federation. There are allegations that parents or relatives morph as personal coaches and travel with players. This could seriously undermine the coaching system. The BAI and SAI's Target Olympic Scheme Division under the new Chief Executive Officer have been working towards restricting such unsavoury incidents. According to the latest directive by the sports ministry, only coaches who are part of the national camps should travel with teams/players. There have been instances when they also try to get their coaches in the system. Sometimes, they even hide injuries. It is a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. With a multi-layered command system, there's bound to be confusion. Back in those days there was one Gopichand or Vimal. But now who decides for players? The chief national coach, the BAI or other individuals and foundations connected with the players? Roles need to be defined for better accountability and hope BAI is doing it. Nurturing youngsters is always tricky. They need to be monitored constantly and brought up with care. Deciding competition for players also is critical and should fall in the domain of chief coach or High Performance Director. It is understood that there are ambiguities here as well. The roles of foreign coaches too were foggy last year. But the SAI and BAI have formed a policy wherein a coach hired for a team will remain with the team and not turn into an individual coach. For Indian badminton to rise from ashes, a lot of things have to fall in place.
