Swimmer Sierra Schmidt Danced to TWICE Before Her Olympic Trials Race
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Olympic swim trials for the U.S. are in full swing, but swimmer Sierra Schmidt has been garnering extra attention before she even gets in the pool.
This week, all eyes are on 23-year-old Schmidt, whose high-energy pre-race dance routine had viewers wondering what was playing in her headphones. Soon enough, fans of K-pop girl group TWICE recognized Schmidt’s moves and matched up her pool deck choreography to the songs “Cheer Up” and “Likey,” and thanks to this viral moment, she quickly gained more and more new supporters.
“Everyone has their own pre-race routine,” Schmidt told BillyPenn.com. “And for me it’s, it’s the dancing,” Fans of TWICE are loving the spotlight on their favorite group; they’re finding inspiration in this routine, and agreeing that dancing along to these tracks has the ability to help calm their nerves. Now, beyond just her swimming, she’s being lauded for her music taste, impeccable grasp of choreography, and joyful presence right before an otherwise nerve-wracking event.
This isn’t the first time Schmidt, who ranks among the top 10 swimmers in the U.S. in the 400, 800 and 1500 meter freestyles, has gotten extra attention for her dance moves. As a young girl who trained in ballet, she brought her first iPod to the pool at age 10, and her habit of dancing before a race over the years earned her the nickname "Dancing Queen" on the U.S. swim circuit. This practice has stuck with her over the years, and is now a part of the routine that still feels special every time.
Sierra Schmidt welcomed her new supporters on Twitter, and even shared her official 2021 dance playlist so new followers can dance the night away before her next race — the 800 meter freestyle on Friday morning. And while Schmidt may be swimming for Team USA, TWICE fans are now hailing her as an Olympic representative for “Twiceland.” Fighting, Sierra!
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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
