Katie Grimes: The 'old soul' chasing double Olympic glory
Everything has changed for USA swimming star Katie Grimes.
Three years ago, she competed at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as the youngest member in the whole of Team USA, and shocked the field to finish fourth in the women’s 800m freestyle final aged just 15.
Using that momentum, Grimes went on to secure four individual medals at the next two world championships, including a bronze in the 10km open water swim at Fukuoka 2023. That meant that the then 17-year-old also became the first US athlete across all sports to secure an Olympic quota for Paris 2024.
Her excellent form in this Olympic cycle means that, unlike in the run up to the previous Games, there is no longer anything unknown about Grimes’ versatility and talent.
“I do feel a little bit more pressure. It's definitely all from me though. Knowing myself, knowing the goals that I have," Grimes told Olympics.com.
"Being 18 rather than 15 is a big difference in terms of just maturity. When I was 15, I was starstruck by everything, but this time I have a little bit of a grasp of the scale of the Olympics and I think that's going to help a lot. I feel I'm much stronger and faster now and I'm excited to see what we can do for sure.
*“*I would even say that my relationship with my coach has gotten better. We understand each other better, my strengths and weaknesses, and that benefits my training as well.”
How Katie Grimes learned from Katie Ledecky
One thing that hasn’t changed, is Grimes’ respect for Katie Ledecky.
In the run up to Tokyo 2020, the seven-time Olympic champion gave Grimes the nickname “Katie squared,” due to their similarities in name, that they both made an Olympic Games aged 15, and that they competed in the same race.
Ledecky also called the Nevada native ‘The Future’. There could have been no higher compliment.
But after Grimes finished second to Ledecky in the 800 free by just six seconds at the Olympic Trials, the distance freestyle queen updated her nickname of Grimes to ‘The now’.
“She's definitely a really, really cool lady. So she's someone that I've always looked up to. So it was really awesome to be able to get to know her and have her by my side,” Grimes continues.
“When I had just made the team and had no idea what to do at the Olympics, to have somebody like her be willing to help and give advice was really, really important.
“The biggest thing I’ve learnt from her is how calm she is. For example with the media, there's so much attention on her and the way that she handles it is so admirable, just super poised and not nervous. That's a way in which I've always strived to be more like her.”
Gold medallist Katie Ledecky and Katie Grimes of Team USA give each other high fives after competing in the women's 800m freestyle final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 31, 2021.
However, one area Ledecky can’t provide advice on, is how best to compete in both open water and pool events at the same Olympic Games.
In fact, no woman from the US has ever achieved this feat, and it’s at the forefront of Grimes’ mind.
While some might think that swimming in two different sports would be a distraction, the double-discipline world medallist sees things differently.
“I love the challenge of competing in both. It energises me. It is very different in terms of mindset. Open water swimming is a lot more strategic and there's a lot more variables like the course and the weather. It's a free-for-all with no lanes, whereas a pool race is so controlled - almost the same thing every time,” she said.
“Two different mentalities are needed, so you could say it’s like a split athlete. But I would say the bare characteristics of each sport are very similar in terms of the fight and determination needed to win. Knowing it's going to hurt, knowing it's going to be difficult. The training is very similar.”
Katie Grimes' passion for classic cars
Swimming is a punishing sport, both mentally and physically.
In the past Olympic cycle, several of the sports top names, including Caeleb Dressel and Adam Peaty, have needed to take mental health breaks.
Despite still only being 18 years of age, Grimes recognises the importance of balance in her life.
When the multi-eventer is not pushing her physical limits during gruelling workouts, she can be found indulging in her favourite pastime: restoring classic cars with her father, while listening to her favourite band Fleetwood Mac.
“I'm really into old cars. We have a couple and driving those around is one of my favourite things to do. My dad has a 77 Bronco which I love. Then we got a Toyota Land Cruiser FJ 40, 1976. It has six shifts, so I had to learn how to drive the manual. It was hard, but I'm glad I know how to do it now. We also found a 1969 Corvette Stingray, which is so low to the ground. It’s like a race car and really fun. They just don't make cars like that anymore,” she said.
“I think they’re really cool because they’re unique. It's a different thing that you can learn about and open your mind to, versus constantly thinking about swimming all day.”
But it isn’t just with cars and music that Grimes adoptes a classic approach.
*“*I would say that I’m an old soul or pretty old school in swimming too because sometimes I forget how many resources there are for athletes.
"For example, I always want to go training. Even when I'm sore or whatever, I still go training. But then I'm like, ‘Well, I can take advantage of things outside of the pool as well, like all the modern recovery equipment', which are available to athletes.”
Paris 2024 perspective
With such an impressive resume at such a young age, it is impossible for a US athlete like Grimes to avoid swimming’s intense spotlight.
This can be hard enough for the most experienced of athletes, let alone someone who is still to hit the peak of their career.
But even when chasing down the sport's highest honours, Gimes keeps things in perspective.
Just like her mentor Ledecky, the teenager seems to take everything in her stride, and does not appear phased by the attention.
“I started because my brothers were in the sport and I loved watching them do it, so I wanted to try it as well,” Grimes said.
“I've never lost that view of swimming and the fun side of it because it is something that I truly enjoy. I think one reason why I do well is because you have to want to train, you have to want to compete. You can't do it if you're just wanting the sponsorships or the money. So I think your intention with the sport is really important.
“When times get tough I just remember why I started swimming. There’s nothing else I would rather be doing.”