ATLANTA — As we approach the start of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Georgia Tech's decorated head coach gleams with gratitude as she trains Olympic hopefuls.
Head Coach Courtney Shealy Hart is a Two-Time Olympic Swim Gold medalist and former SEC and NCAA champion with the University of Georgia, shattering dozens of records. Hart has been the Olympic coach at Georgia Tech for 15 years.
"I'm super grateful every day I walk in here, and I'm grateful that I get to be here and I get to coach these athletes and be in this venue, and it's just a special place, and I walk in, and I just smile every single time," she said. " For me, it's absolutely 100% seeing those athletes achieve their goals and dreams. They put it out there, and we work towards it, and when they actually accomplish it, it's just an amazing feeling for them."
She spoke with 11Alive's Cheryl Preheim, during which she reflected on the many Olympic hopefuls who have emerged from the team.
"We very much mirror Georgia Tech as an institute. It's a very culturally diverse institute. And so it's fun that our team mirrors that as well, and it brings unique perspectives from all over the world, and then we can help each other out and be the best we can be," Hart added.
The head coach said that since her time in the Olympics, the sport has evolved, changing the way she coaches her athletes. She added that mental preparation and nutrition weren't really discussed during her competitive days.
She also said that social media had added a new level of challenges because of how many people can critique athletes since her time in the sport.
Although she reflected on how much swimming has changed since her time at the Olympics, she added that the sport's draw is perpetual in the Games.
"It's the top level of any sport, and it brings all the countries together, and you're competing, you know, to represent your country, and it's just, it's an amazing event," she said.
Hart shared one of her favorite experiences while competing in the world's most prestigious Games.
"The first night when I swam with Amy Van Dyke and Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres and we broke the world record. So that was really cool. Then, when swimming was over because it was the first week, we got to go see other sports, and that was just awesome to go here on Team USA. Other sports were so much fun," she said.
The head coach added that as she has more athletes, it's a "full circle" moment to add that her goal was to "help elevate a program" when she first joined the team.
"Seeing these athletes work so hard because they are so dedicated and they work so hard and to fulfill their dreams that help be a small part of that is just something that I'll carry forever," she concluded.