Kirsty Coventry Moving To USA To Train For Rio Games

Swimming legend Kirsty Coventry has said she is moving to the United States to train for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Kirsty Coventry with husband Tyrone Seward

She posted the news on her Facebook page saying:

I wanted you to be the 1st to know that I will be moving to the USA to train for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I have decided to make the move to Charlotte, North Carolina, where I will be training with some of the best swimmers in the world under SwimMac Team Elite. I know that I need to swim against the best in order to be my best and this has influenced my decision to make the move.
I will be landing in Charlotte on the 8th July 2014 which is just a week away! I will be spending my last few days at home, in Zimbabwe. Although I have made the decision to train in the USA, Africa will always be my home and I will continue to represent and support my continent. I will also come home every so often over the next two years.
I have spent a lot of time in the USA during my career but I haven’t been to Charlotte before and I have no idea what to expect. I know that to do well though, I have to get out of my comfort zone and that is where I’m headed. As anxious as I am, I would not be doing this if I was not sure about it and it helps knowing I have an awesome team waiting for me when I get there. It also makes all of the difference knowing that I have your support and encouragement with me wherever I go. Thank you to each and every one of you.
I will miss my family and friends but I have to focus on my goal and keep moving forward. I got married in August 2013 and my husband will be coming over with me. He’s a great support and like he always says – ‘home is wherever the 2 of us are’.

I would like to ask everyone to show their support by continuing to follow me on Facebook (OfficialKirstyCoventry) and Twitter (@KirstyCoventry). Here I will be detailing my story leading up to Rio 2016 and I ask for Africa to get behind me and share with me in my journey. You are so important to me and we have so much to look forward to together. Thank you everyone.

She received positive responses to her decision to keep swimming after she took a break following the London Olympics.

Well we wish her loads of luck. The competition gets tougher every year and we hope she can add to the two gold medals she already for Zimbabwe. If she thinks she still has to compete at the highest level then all good.