This I believe by Alex Khnykin

Love can be found everywhere and in the most unexpected moment. Back in 1997 it was a cold autumn day about 50 degrees outside. However, the water inside at the swimming pool was way warmer — 75 degrees which created a romantic atmosphere. The guy came out on the deck and he gazed at a beautiful young blonde girl across the pool as if no one else existed. And in so doing, no one else existed. They knew each other well enough and they both knew that they were going to have a conversation which would completely change their future. That day my father and mother promised each other to spend the rest of their life together.

My parents were professional swimmers for many years. My father deserves special attention because during his more than a quarter century swimming career, he accomplished what every athlete dreams of — win a medal at the Olympic Games. When it came time to retire from swimming my father focused on the creation of a lovely and strongly connected family. I was the first child in our family. Beginning from the age of five my parents started to introduce me to sports. They did not force me to do only swimming but I also did wrestling. The reason my parents did that was that they wanted to give me an opportunity to choose an activity which recalls my personality. I was training in both of these sports for three years and after that I felt with my heart that swimming was a sport which brings me pleasure and a lot of fun.

Swimming definitely opened a lot of opportunities in life. I have got a routine which helps me to stay active, healthy and fit. This sport is a common interest in our family that helps us to inspire and support each other. Because of swimming I have got a chance to visit a number of the most beautiful places such as Venice and Rome. Additionally, I am able to meet interesting people all around the world and talk about something we both are interested in. Finally, the opportunity that I appreciate the most is the chance to become a part of Drury community, perform for a university swimming team and get a high quality education.

My Drury university experience opened swimming from the new side. Back home swimming is an individual sport — no relay competitions and university swim clubs do not exist. However, academic swimming in the US is completely different — it is a team sport. Athletes are members of big teams which changes the training process and competitions. The Drury team is a community which pushes me for improvements at practices and gives me crazy support during my performance. I will remember their support from the National Championship last season for the rest of my life. These humans were screaming so loud that I could hear their voices while swimming underwater. Such support gave me and my teammates unreal power that we broke a team record in the 400 medley relay.

Drury seems to be a place where I can become a better version of myself. I feel like swimming became a part of who I am and brought me to the place where I belong.