(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
In the week leading up to the Olympic trials, a swimmer has plenty of nerves and anxiousness. A lot goes through the minds of such swimmers.
What if I have a bad race? What if I have a false start or get disqualified and embarrass myself on national television? What if I place third? (the top two swimmers in each event make the Olympics) What if I actually make the team?
All of these thoughts are common for swimmers.
However, Eric Shanteau (a record holder in the state of Georgia, SEC champion at Auburn University, and a world championship team member) had a completely different thought: What if I don't survive?
On June 18, 2008, only one week before the Olympic trials in Omaha, Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Focusing on competing suddenly became a whole lot more difficult.
Despite everything, Shanteau went on to qualify for the Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke. He decided to delay treatment until after the Olympics, possibly risking his life.
Eric competed in the Olympics, placing 10th in the 200-meter breaststroke, going a lifetime best, and more importantly, persevering.
Back home from Beijing, Shanteau underwent surgery, and on September 15, 2008, the doctors declared him a cancer free man!
Shanteau fought it, and overcame it!
He didn't waste any time getting back into the pool, and he trained hard for the next Nationals and World Championships.
This past week, the 2009 Nationals and World Trials took place in Indianapolis, and most of the U.S. swimming stars shined bright.
Micheal Phelps finally broke Ian Crocker's 100 butterfly world record that has eluded him for a while. Aaron Piersol dominated both backstrokes as usual, and after having just lost his 100 backstroke recorded less than a month before, he smashed the world record, becoming the first man under 52 seconds in that event. Rebecca Soni, 16-year-old Elizabeth Beisel, Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian, Tyler Clary ,and last but not least, Eric Shanteau all made their marks on the meet.
Shanteau took first place in the 200 breaststroke, dominating the event and beating the rest of the field by over two seconds, breaking the American record. Shanteau also took second in the 100 breast and 200 IM.
In total, Shanteau qualified to swim three individual events in Rome at the World Championships.
The United States, as dominant as it is in swimming, is a little bit down in the breast stroke right now. Japan's Kosuke Kitajima still holds the world record in the 100 and 200.
Kitajima may have thought that since his former biggest rival (American Brendan Hansen) is now retired, the record may be safe for a while longer. But with a surging Shanteau at his heels, Kitajima better get back to work!
Hopefully Shanteau will be able to take down Kitajima and his record in Rome at the World Championships that are approaching.
You can't help but cheer for a guy like that. You don't have to worry about toughness with him, and he carries that never back down attitude with him every time he races.
In sport that is on the rise and growing daily, Shanteau is now a star. Yet he is not just basking in it.
Eric has partnered with Lance Armstrong and the LIVESTRONG foundation, and has become a talented motivational speaker along with a front runner in cancer awareness.
The World Championships are coming up, and we expect big things out of Shanteau and the Americans.
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