PERSEVERANCE AWARD – ALLISON SCHMITT
Allison Schmitt had an outstanding 2015, making it back to the top of the sport by winning the gold medal in the 200 meter freestyle at the Pan American Games in Toronto. She set the Pan Am record in the process. She also opened up about her experience with depression, and is making an effort to remove the stigma associated with mental health in athletics. In her acceptance speech, Schmitt recounted her firsthand experience with “how real depression is,” as she experienced the loss of her 17-year-old cousin to depression in May. Schmitt is hoping elite athletes will receive mental health support in the same way they receive physical support at big competitions like the Olympics.
As if I needed a reason to love Schmitty anymore. Already awed by her masterful 200 free in London, one of the most outstanding and frankly underrated Olympic performances. I love the smoothness of her stroke, her underwater dolphins and the ways she makes her move in the middle 100 of a 200. I also love her bubbly, jokester spirit and her friendship with Phelps. The way she has taken her own struggles with depression and the tragic loss of her cousin April to courageously speak out against the stigma of mental health and to advocate for support is simply tremendous. I can’t lie, her speech brought me to tears. This is more powerful than any of her gold medals.… Read more »
Very well said.
Well deserved award for Schmitt!! I have to say after having a tough couple of years, it was good to see that she is doing well!!