In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.
2020 Olympic medalist and Speedo Athlete, Bella Sims, experienced something all swimmers do, a challenging meet. Hers was, of course, a consequential one–the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Many fans expected a strong performance in Indy after Sims’ lights-out NCAA Championships this past spring. Spoiler alert! Sims was not sick and did not miss her taper at Olympic Trials. From her perspective, and her Sandpipers’ club coach. Ron Aitken, the reason was very specific. Sims unpacks it all in this podcast, talks about her competition ahead at this week’s SPEEDO SUMMER NATIONALS, and she charts her future.
EDITOR UPDATE: SwimSwam Editor-in-Chief Braden Keith covered the Bella Sims stroke change back in November of 2023.
In the pursuit of perfection, some of the best swimmers in the world have changed their technique – especially when they head to college with a new coach. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.
World Record holder Katie Ledecky did it when she went to Stanford, and now Olympic medalist Bella Sims seems to be undergoing a similar transition in her freshman year at the University of Florida.
Many thanks to 12-year partner Speedo USA for making this podcast happen!
Follow Speedo USA on Instagram here.
Follow Bella Sims on Instagram here.
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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com
Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.
Brilliant job Mel. I got the feeling this has been quite a lonely year for Bella swimming-wise, not in that she hadn’t been surrounded by people, but because she felt like things weren’t going as expected and it sounded like she didn’t have anyone to help her. Coach Ron said he wasn’t her coach anymore, it doesn’t sound like she’s had anyone to turn to at Florida… she’s just kind of being left to figure it out herself. That must be a hard place to be.
Interesting that she mentioned the Philippines. I wonder if she’s had the approach like Kayla Sanchez? (Not off the back of trials, just in general)
Hey Bella if you’re listening and thinking of doing the Kayla Sanchez thing, take my advice…don,t do it.I know a lot about the Philippines (lived there for awhile).Still have a daughter swimming there.You won,t get world class coaching, the pools are frequently closed due to maintenance issues, its hot ,its dirty, its poor.?The swimming federation is usually very corrupt…..Stay home ,work hard ,you’re a world class swimmer.
What a great interview.. I feel social media makes this time even more challenging with her following her friends at the training camps, Olympic village, heck all the swag. Gut wrenching.
Enjoy your time off Bella!
Bella – you are such an amazing young lady! During the hard times we learn the most. I am so proud of what you have accomplished and it is because your hard drive and determination. You will do great things in this world (I could tell that when you were my student in 5th grade). Keep shinning the light!
What a great interview, Mel. You struck the perfect balance between empathy and asking questions that will help fans understand the roots of (to us) a disappointing performance. And kudos to Bella for answering every question with clarity and introspection. I’d love to see more interviews like this.
Good to hear that Ron (appropriately) passed the torch to her college coach – because the athlete needs the new relationship to flourish with the college coach. Even if there are bumps in the road at the outset. She’s got three more years at Florida, not with Sandpipers. Good luck to Bella.
Bella needs to start a you tube channel. Would be huge!
Thank you Bella and Mel. This discussion was so good to hear.
Bella, keep the faith! You are awesome.
Very heartbreaking to see Bella trying to hold it together..Mel did a great job, but it was too soon..let her grieve, and figure out her future.
Whether the issue was solely stroke mechanics or not, it was pretty smart of Ron to point to something concrete and tangible that is ” fixable”. She should mature her sophomore year, and see things in a new light.
I also agree that if the Florida coaches were concerned they would be the ones to reach out to Ron..