Olympics

5 more Olympic swimming hopefuls with Charlotte connections

Ryan Lochte, an eleven-time Olympic medalist, including 5 gold medals and 2010 World Swimmer of the Year, moved to Charlotte last fall to work on his sprint events. But he says he quickly has grown to love the city and its people because "they're just so friendly and you don't see that everywhere". He worked out with SwimMac teammates including his best friend and fellow Olympian, Cullen Jones, at the Queens University swimming facility on Saturday March 7, 2015.
Ryan Lochte, an eleven-time Olympic medalist, including 5 gold medals and 2010 World Swimmer of the Year, moved to Charlotte last fall to work on his sprint events. But he says he quickly has grown to love the city and its people because "they're just so friendly and you don't see that everywhere". He worked out with SwimMac teammates including his best friend and fellow Olympian, Cullen Jones, at the Queens University swimming facility on Saturday March 7, 2015. John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

Here are five other swimmers with Charlotte connections who may make the U.S. Swim Team at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.

1. Ryan Lochte: The 11-time Olympic medalist is as close to a sure thing as you can get to make the team because of his versatility and consistency. Lochte will likely compete in several events in Rio.

2. Tyler Clary: One of the world’s best backstrokers, Clary won a gold medal for the U.S. in 2012 in the 200-meter backstroke and will likely make the U.S. squad in the backstroke again. He moved to Charlotte in 2014 to train with David Marsh, who coaches SwimMAC Carolina’s Team Elite in Charlotte and also will serve as an Olympic women’s coach in Brazil.

3. Cullen Jones: The former N.C. State star has trained in Charlotte since before the 2008 Olympics and has earned two Olympic gold medals and two silvers in the past two Summer Olympics. A 32-year-old sprinter whose best event is the 50 freestyle, Jones has had up-and-down results this season but usually performs his best in big moments.

4. Cammile Adams: The former Texas A&M swimmer and butterfly specialist moved to Charlotte full-time about 16 months ago to train with Team Elite. Among the squad’s strong contingent of women, Adams is one of the likeliest to earn a ticket to Rio.

5. Michael Chadwick: A late bloomer, Chadwick is from Charlotte but now trains at the University of Missouri, where he has developed into a collegiate star. The son of well-known pastor David Chadwick will contend for a relay spot in the freestyle events.

Scott Fowler

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 7:00 AM with the headline "5 more Olympic swimming hopefuls with Charlotte connections."

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