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Over the weekend SwimSwam conducted a Zoom call roundtable webinar this week with three American superstar swimmers: Ryan Lochte, Katie Ledecky, and Michael Phelps.
SwimSwam contributing writer Charles Hartley moderated the discussion. Here’s a transcript of the discussion:
Hartley: So Ryan, you’ve been known to enjoy the McDonalds food at the Olympic Village. Tell us about that.
Lochte: Yeah, one of my favorite parts of staying in the Olympic Village was I could go to the 24-hour McDonalds and eat whatever I wanted.
Hartley: What would be your typical meal?
Lochte: Two Big Macs, a Double Cheeseburger. two large fries, a McRib Sandwich, 2 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, and two McFlurries. Oh, and a large Hi-C Orange Drink.
Hartley: How many times a day did you do this?
Lochte: Usually three. But on race days four.
Hartley: What else did you like about the Olympic Village?
Lochte: It was a great opportunity to meet many different athletes from many different countries. I enjoyed those times and have many lasting relationships with swimmers from all over the world.
Hartley: Now let’s shift to you, Katie. Being a world-class athlete, I assume you were the greatest athlete ever to go to Little Flower School in Bethesda, Maryland. True?
Ledecky: Actually, I’ve heard some other guy says he was a better athlete.
Hartley: Oh really. Who is he?
Ledecky: It’s you. You wrote an article right before the 2016 Olympics saying you’re the greatest athlete in the school’s history and I’m the second-best.
Hartley: Who me?
Ledecky: Yes you.
Hartley: Do you agree?
Ledecky: Well let me ask you a few questions. Have you ever won a Gold Medal in the Olympics?
Hartley: No
Ledecky: Have you ever won a Gold Medal in any swimming event in your life?
Hartley: No.
Ledecky: What were you good at in sports?
Hartley: Everything I played except swimming. That was basketball, baseball, football, and tennis. I won 11 MVP awards at Little Flower.
Ledecky: And then what?
Hartley: I became an athletic bust. Peaked in eighth grade.
But Katie, I’m supposed to be interviewing you.
Ledecky: In your article, you said there are only busts of athletes in Little Flower School’s lunchroom, one of me and one of you.
Hartley: That was for dramatic impact.
Ledecky: That’s not true. You need to get your facts straight. Swimming is a serious sport and nobody takes you seriously.
Hartley: OK, moving on. Michael, as you know America has legalized marijuana in many states. How do you feel about this trend?
Phelps: Honestly, I think it’s a good thing. If people want to smoke pot and they’re not endangering other people, and it can make them feel better, then I think it’s OK.
Hartley: How do you feel about swimmers taking advantage of marketing opportunities?
Phelps: I’m all for that. I think Wendy’s should sponsor this young phenom you wrote about for SwimSwam, Phoebe Bacon. She would be the perfect person to endorse the Wendy’s Baconator. Man what a sandwich.
Hartley: You sponsored Subway for years. What’s your favorite sub they have?
Phelps: I liked the footlong meatball sub with onions, mushrooms, and honey mustard sauce.
Hartley: OK that wraps up today’s Zoom call. Stay tuned for more roundtable Zoom calls with swimmers heading into the Trials in June.
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