From Tokyo to Paris: Kelsey Wog closes her Olympic chapter with gratitude and her eyes on the water.
It’s the final countdown for former Bison student-athlete Kelsey Wog as she prepares to enter the pool for one last competion in the women's 200-metre breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
"I have done way more in this sport than I ever imagined I would," says Wog. "I'm satisfied with what I've accomplished and feel like it's a great ending point."
With her for the final swim will be long-time coach Vlastimil Cerny, head coach of the Bisons Sports swim program, who has worked with Wog her entire career and helped her prepare for her second Olympic appearance.
Cerny himself is no stranger to the Olympics. He competed as an athlete in Seoul 1988 and four times as a coach for Team Canada. Cerny says they're working to mitigate any added stress preparing for a final performance.
"The biggest difference in the performances at the Olympics is the mindset," says Cerny. "And she's always been good about enjoying everything else that goes alongside competing."
Cerny says Wog has developed as an athlete over the years and thrived. He attributes her success to commitment and consistent training. He adds she is naturally skilled in the water.
"Kelsey has a tremendous feel for the water. She's like a fish," he says. "She's also very professional about her schedule and never misses a day."
Wog says it takes her a while to feel comfortable with people, so working with Cerny and the same team of coaches throughout her career has been incredibly beneficial.
"The process has been extremely smooth as I moved up through the [Junior Bisons] club program because they knew me and they knew what worked for me," Wog says.
Wog is excited about her second trip to the games, which will have the full Olympics experience. Her last Olympic appearance was in Tokyo. Originally scheduled for the summer of 2020, the Tokyo Olympics were held in the summer of 2021 without spectators in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I'm so excited to go and see other events and cheer on Team Canada," says Wog. "And to have my parents in the stands, being able to wave to them after my race will be special."
Cerny says that even in the short Olympic cycle, Wog has made incredible strides. He says she has grown in her training, as an athlete and as a competitor.
"She's been there before, so this time it's just about the pursuit," says Cerny. "It's not about the results but about pursuing your performance and just letting it happen."
"She's been there before, so this time it's just about the pursuit," says Cerny. "It's not about the results but about pursuing your performance and just letting it happen."
Wog echoes her coach's sentiments, hoping to race what she can on that day and execute what they've done in training. Wog says the hope is to "swim fast."
"The goal is always to enjoy it and be grateful that I'm able to compete at this level," says Wog. "Just soak it all in because it's not something I'm going to get to do forever."
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