Meet the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team: Tom Shields

Meet 2016 U.S. Olympian Tom Shields from Huntington Beach, California. He talks about how the water and the Ocean has been where he’s always been and how he always knew he’d do something in the water. Shields says that his dad being a college athlete has had a huge impact – because his dad knows what it’s like to be on the other side of the parent-athlete relationship, and also, as the former Edison High School record holder in the 200 free before Shields broke it, knows enough about swimming to have input.

He also talks about his first race against Michael Phelps, and that from that moment on, he knew that he had to work on underwaters. Shields has become one of the best underwater swimmers in the world, if not the best, in the 10 years since.

Shields will swim the 100 and 200 fly in Rio, along with the 400 medley relay.

From Shields’ SwimSwam Bio:

Personal life

Born to parents Tim and Jolene in Panama City, Florida, Shields moved to the west coast with his family when he was two years old, where he learned to swim by the age of three. He began swimming competitively for a local swim club when he was eight, progressing rapidly through level groups and time standards, emerging as “one to watch.” Before focusing all his energy and attention into competitive swimming, Shields dabbled in other sports and activities including boy scouts, baseball, basketball, tennis, water polo, even piano and the locally-renowned junior lifeguard program. Forever a fan of ocean recreation, Shields continues to enjoy surfing and bodysurfing during his free time. And while Shields is fond of his Southern California hometown, he currently enjoys living in Berkeley with his wife, Gianna.