Q&A: British Swimmer Ollie Hynd Chats To Sportsvibe About His Career, Winning Medals And What He Does When Not In The Pool
Sportsvibe recently caught up with swimmer Ollie Hynd to discuss his career, winning gold and what his ideal Sunday roast would be
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Sportsvibe: You have recently joined Team Speedo, what will they help bring to your career and ambitions?
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Ollie Hynd: IÛªm really happy and proud to have joined Team Speedo.åÊ Not only are they the leading competitive swimwear brand, which will of course aid my personal performance in the pool, but they are also committed to getting people of all ages into swimming from grassroots level upwards.åÊ This is also something IÛªm very passionate about.
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SV: How did you get into swimming?
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OH: I got into swimming from a very early age, maybe two or three.åÊ It was just something my parents wanted me to do as a life skill and I think everybody should have the opportunity to learn to swim.åÊ From there, I progressed through the badges until I got to a high enough level to join a club. My first club was Sutton swimming club, which I am still a member of to this day!åÊ
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SV: You have won pretty much every championship there is, did you ever dream you would be this good?
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OH: ItÛªs an absolute dream to say IÛªve won all four major international titles in my career.åÊ When I first started competing internationally I had ambitions to win everything, but at the time I was just enjoying myself and proud to be representing my country.åÊ It is also quite bizarre to think about the medals I have won because I can still remember the days I was swimming in local galas with Sutton.
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SV: I have read you aspire to be like Michael Phelps, what is it about the American that you love so much?
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OH: I look up to Michael tremendously and what he has done for the swimming industry.åÊ His focus and willingness to completely devote himself to his goals and dreams is inspiring.åÊ To work as hard as he did for so long, and to be successful year after year is definitely not an easy thing to do. I may be biased but I would go as far as to say I think heÛªs the greatest athlete ever.
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SV: Do you think your achievements will inspire others that are disabled to maybe think they could become swimmers?
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OH: I hope that my achievements are able to do that.åÊ I think London 2012 in particular changed peopleÛªs perspective on what a disabled person is capable of doing.åÊ I think anyone who watched the Paralympics was inspired by the high-class sport they were seeing and some of the things that they thought were impossible.åÊ I also hope that it shows disabled kids that they still have a chance in sport, whether thatÛªs in elite para sport, or just living a healthy life.
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SV: What is your idea of the perfect Sunday roast?
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OH: My idea of a perfect Sunday roast would probably be Turkey, lots of vegetables, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings with a very watery runny gravy.åÊ My Nan also used to make this amazing sausage meat stuffing at Christmas, so IÛªd probably throw that in there as well.åÊ
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SV: Favourite thing to do when youÛªre not swimming?
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OH: My favourite thing to do when IÛªm not swimming is listen to music.åÊ I love just sitting down, relaxing, putting on some great music and not thinking too much about anything.åÊ I also find playing my guitar quite relaxing.åÊ Its great to have other interests outside of the pool as it keeps me sane!
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SV: What is your favourite film and song?
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OH : My all time favourite film would have to be Scream.åÊ I love horror and particularly Slasher films and I think Scream in particular changed the whole Slasher genre at a time when it was becoming a bit stale. IÛªm also a big fan of director Wes Craven. I love how he shot the film and the general aesthetic.åÊ
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My favourite song changes pretty much very week, but my favourite at the moment is Û÷No More Parties in LAÛª by Kanye West.
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SV: If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have one item, what would it be?
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OH: Probably my iPod, although IÛªd need some form of portable charger!
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SV: If you weren’t a swimmer what would you want to be?
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OH: IÛªm not too sure what IÛªd be doing if I werenÛªt swimming.åÊ IÛªve always had a passion for music so maybe something to do with that.åÊ IÛªm also really into fashion; itÛªs my dream to own my own clothing line one day, so maybe IÛªd be perusing that!
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Ollie Hynd is a member of Team Speedo. For more information, tips and techniques please visitwww.speedo.co.uk.