Tatjana Smith Schoenmaker

"Im excited to in the future tell my kids I used to swim there (Olympics) once. I am just grateful that I can walk away with medals. It is any athletes dream."

"I hope my story inspires one person, and if that happens Ive reached my goal. Its never about trying to inspire millions, its about inspiring that one person to never disqualify themselves from the race"

"Swimming is really just a part of and a season in your life, there’s so much more than swimming."

"I swim because I love it. I also swim for a bigger purpose which is to use my talents to glorify God through my swimming"

"But it really pushes you to grow as an individual. It helps you find your strengths amid this group because, at the end of the day, youre the one thats going to race the race by yourself."

"The lane space is obviously crowded, so that could get frustrating on its own."

"The world has defied success as medals and records where success is different in my mind. And I think that is why Im very easy to go back and never be hard on myself in terms of that. I just try and find the next thing to improve a little bit more."

"For me, the emotions were really because it took a village to get me to where I am. I know they would have been proud even if I didnt have a medal"

"But it was really for them. I swam for everyone thats been there for me and believed with me."

"At the end of the day, a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer, so if we maintain that passion, we will ultimately maintain our purpose. The characteristics that our sport teaches us is also so important – the discipline and the perseverance – they create characteristics within you that last a lifetime, long after your swimming career has ended."

"Sometimes, us as athletes, we always strive for the achievements, for example to get better or reach a certain goal, and that sometimes takes away from the purpose and passion of the sport."

"I have this slogan – I wish I could swim with a cap that says Swimming is just what I do; it’s not who I am."