Charlie Swanson

QUICK STATS

  • Hometown: Richmond, VA
  • Birthdate: February 20, 1998
  • College: University of Michigan
  • Coaches: Josh White, Eddie Reese, Matt Bowe

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Olympic Gold Medalist
  • 5-time Big Ten Champion
  • 7-time National Team Member
  • 2022 World Championship Team Member
  • 2019 Pan American Games Champion (400 IM)

Request Charlie for a swim camp!

EXPERIENCE

Charlie Swanson is an Olympic gold medalist, specializing in breaststroke and individual medley (IM). He competed in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Paris Olympics and was part of the gold medal winning mixed medley relay team. His road to the Olympics was not a traditional one, and he shares his story with Fitter & Faster clinic participants to show that swimming outside one’s comfort zone can result in a breakthrough. Charlie says, “Two years before the 2024 Olympic Trials I was training for the 200 breast and 400 IM. A year later, I broke a minute in the 100 breast and decided to weave some sprint work into my routine. I did a full sprint taper before Trials and dropped a significant amount of time, earning top seed in finals. That gave me the confidence to swim fast and earn a spot on the Olympic team.”  

Charlie says that beyond hard work and dedication, the camaraderie of being on a team has been a factor in his swimming success. “Immersing myself into whatever team or group of athletes I’m a part of has been key. It’s more fun competing when you have others to cheer for and to cheer you on.” He says that swimming in college was a pivotal moment for him, and “taught me so much about what being on a team really means and what it means to perform for something bigger than yourself.”

Passing on the lessons he learned from coaches, teammates, and swimming on the collegiate and international stage to the next generation of swimmers is important to Charlie. He says, “Throughout my swimming career, I have learned many valuable life lessons that I believe I can pass on to those younger than me. I enjoy being a leader for younger swimmers.”

Maggie Love
Liliana Ibanez