Georgia’s MacLean ‘is just so tough’
This was a feature story I wrote about former University of Georgia & world-class swimmer, Brittany McLean, and her comeback from a number of injuries. This story was published in the Athens-Banner Herald.
Preview
The time for the 400-meter freestyle had finally arrived at the 2013 Canadian world championship trials. Brittany MacLean, the national record holder in the event, entered as the race favorite. She left the warm-up area and headed to the starting blocks. As she reached down to stretch her hamstring, she felt a pop in her left leg.
She immediately knew something was wrong and told a nearby trainer what happened.
“Am I OK to go race right now?” she asked.
“Can you walk?” the trainer replied.
She limped a few steps, and looked at him. “I think so,” she said. She continued limping toward the blocks, determined to compete.
The gun went off, and MacLean dove in the pool, just like any other race. However, when she kicked with her left leg, a sharp pang of discomfort shot up her hamstring. Unable to use this leg, her initial race tactics flew out the window….
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Zack Sims
Business Intelligence Associate
Big Data guy, endurance athlete, heartbroken Georgia fan, and rom-com enthusiast