Less than a week after winning a gold medal as part of Team USA’s 4x100m freestyle team, Jimmy Feigen took to the social forum site Reddit and invited fans to “ask me anything.”
Here are some of the highlights from the full AMA, which can be found here.
What’s been your favourite moment in the pool and the Olympics in general so far?
“Watching as Nathan finish to win our relay gold was the coolest moment. I can’t explain what its like to know you were a part of a gold medal relay at the Olympics but I’m sure you can imagine. Seeing my mom and giving her the most meaningful hug I’ve ever given her was emotional. She’s been through the ringer just as much, if not more so than I. That gold medal is 70% hers.”
How much does it help to be able to swim with guys like Phelps and Lochte?
“They are great. THE greats. Their experience is invaluable. But they are also our good friends. Ryan is one of my best friends so its more about being there for one another through success and defeat. We are teammates but more importantly we are friends. Friends stick together and help each other out.”
So who on the Team USA is single?
“Most people are dating someone. Everyone else is bumble-ing Nathan is not. Conor Dwyer is. Jay Litherland. The girls are mostly all taken. Jack Conger is also. Haha I’m sitting with everyone now asking them”
What’s your stance on swimmers like Efimova and the whole Russian doping mess?
“People all around seem to feel strongly about it. She got Booed pretty hard when she was introduced. (bad taste I wouldn’t have done that) But I think it is unfortunate the IOC hasn’t been holding people accountable for their actions. The USA has RIGOROUS drug testing through USADA. Probably way more than any other swimming federation. We would like to see the same levels of testing implemented across the board.”
When the team traveled to Brazil did you take a charter flight or did you fly commercial?
“We took a charter flight to Brazil on Mark Cuban’s Jet.”
How’s the food in the Olympic village?
“The food has been my only major gripe about the village. Cooking for 10,000 must have some difficulties but the London food was much better.”
So are the rumors about the village true?
No, Unfortunately those experiences are blown out of proportion. Access to condoms is easy and many athletes take them, but I’m not sure of how many actually get used. People mostly focus on their events rather than getting laid. Once the games are over the party begins! That is outside the village though.
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