Hilary Caldwell: “Backstroke Seems to Be a Pretty Social Event”

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Swimming: August 6-13
• Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
• Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
• SwimSwam previews 
• Day 7 Schedule & Results
• Live Stream (NBC)

Tonight, Hilary Caldwell highlighted team Canada’s swimming performances, winning the bronze behind Maya DiRado and Katinka Hosszu with 2:07.54.

After the race, Caldwell talked about her experience in the ready room.

“I don’t know about other events, but backstroke seems to be a pretty social event,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s because a lot of us happen to be native English speakers, so we can all chat pretty comfortably. I don’t know what it is, but we’re all really chatty in the ready room, typically, and I find that kind of settles my nerves.”

A lot of attention has been set on the ready room this week, from Lilly King‘s finger wag to Michael Phelps‘s meme-worthy Phelps face.

Caldwell was happy with her placement tonight, but she feels that she is capable of going faster.

“I saw the time. I looked up and I saw the three lights on the block so I knew I was third, which I was happy with,” she said. “But I did want the gold medal and I think a 2:05 is in me, but it wasn’t tonight… I saw the time and I gave a little scowl.”