Sean Ryan swims in a meet at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in January.
(UM Photo Services, Martin Vloet)Participating in the Canada Cup recently in Montreal, Sean Ryan found himself in an unfamiliar environment.
The former McCallie School swimming star from Hixson walked the streets and saw billboards and advertisements in French. He heard French being spoken almost everywhere. Even when he was at the Olympic Park Athletic Centre getting ready to swim, Ryan heard announcements in French before he heard them in English.
But while his surroundings were alien to him, he felt right at home in the pool.
“It was definitely an interesting event,” Ryan said after earning two silver medals and a bronze. “It had that foreign-country feel, but it was exciting. I’m excited by the results because those are great results for me right now in my training.”
He’s in the Florida Keys this week, training with the U.S. team for his main competition of the summer – the World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai, China. A top-10 finish in the 10-kilometer open-water swim there on July 20 (9 p.m. July 19 EDT) will put him in the Olympics next year in London.