Recorded before her recent 50m Backstroke European Champion title, Dutch swimmer Kira Toussaint joins The Social Kick.

The short course 50m Backstroke world record holder jumps into her race strategy and mindset with us, commenting on the ISL and how her world record came to be. As well as explaining the creation of and reason behind her underwater kick and top arm pull out.

Often called a ‘fake sprinter’ by her training group, Kira talks about her 200m races and the external motivation that goes with them.

Top tip: don’t bet against Kira Toussaint! With a stacked 100m backstroke field and a lack of 50m races at the Olympics, Kira is intent on showing her talent this summer and beyond by using her full brain capacity and focusing on what’s important.

She trains to race, and she races to win, enjoy our Social Kick with Kira Toussaint!

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British record holder and 2020 Olympian Molly Renshaw joins us for this week’s show.

The Loughborough National Centre swimmer recently broke the 200m Breaststroke British record at GB Trails in a time of 2.20.89. Qualifying for her second Olympic Games, Molly talks of her troubled relationship with Olympic trials and the moments that shaped her into the swimmer she is today.

We break down her impressive trials swims whilst looking ahead to her goals for the 2021 European Championships and the impact of the ISL on British swimming.

It’s all about mental preparation and technique with Molly as she gives an insight into how she replaces her negative thoughts and goes for gold. Enjoy and ‘be brave’ with Molly Renshaw.

Watch Molly in the current European Swimming Championships, taking place from the 17th – 23rd May in Budapest.

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Continuing our round of British athletes, Matt Richards joins us this week.

Recently qualified for Team GB, the 18-year-old put on the performance of his life at British trials. From 2019 European Junior Champion, Richards will swim in his first senior team in the upcoming Long Course European Championships before taking to the Olympic stage in July.

Richards has individually qualified for the 100m Freestyle at Tokyo 2020 and will most likely be seen in some of the most highly anticipated relays of the Olympics. Training at the Bath National Centre, Richards talks to us about his impressive trials swims, including that ‘stupidly quick’ 200m Freestyle final and his seemingly hard working, yet fun training group.

With a refreshing and mature mentality for such a young swimmer, Matt reflects on the ISL and the people that have shaped his swimming knowledge over the last few years. He’s determined, he’s fast and he’s definitely not one to be undermined.

Enjoy our chat with Matt Richards.

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Newly qualified for his first ever Olympics, British swimmer Joe Litchfield joins The Social Kick.

The Loughborough trained athlete has been recently selected to represent Team GB at Tokyo 2020. Alongside his older brother Max, the Litchfield’s will be just the third set of siblings to compete for Great Britain in an Olympic Swimming meet.

After his impressive swims at British Trials, which resulted in all new personal bests for the 22-year-old, Joe is set it make his debut representing Great Britain in the 200IM. And with European Championships later this month, his sights are set on securing more consideration times for the summer.

A British insight into the world of swimming, Joe analyses his races at trials, his involvement with the ISL and the future of the sport.

More than ever, the British are coming for the Olympic dream.

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The Social Kick are finally back together again, discussing the recent announcements of the ISL Draft and new Auburn Head Coach.

The 2021 ISL season is gearing up to be the most interesting yet. With a new and upcoming draft selection process, there is a chance for greater equality within the teams and greater competition all round. It might look confusing at first, but we’ve tackled the format head-on, commenting on the overall process and potential rookie picks.

We also discuss the recent appointment of alumni Ryan Wochomurka as the new Auburn swimming and diving coach. Bryan reminisces about his time at Auburn and Ryan’s potential to shape the team into something great for the years to come.

Grab a beer, comment your top ISL pick and join us in our fireside chat. thesocialkick.com

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Austrian ISL star and NCAA Champion Felix Auboeck has continued his dominance in middle-distance freestyle.

At the recent 2021 Swim Open Stockholm meet, Felix qualified for his second Olympics in the 200m, 400m and 800m Freestyle events. Not to mention breaking two Austrian records in the process.

Austria’s swimming star, Felix has trained with the best. Studying at Michigan in 2016-2020, his NCAA history proves he isn’t one to overlook. In 2019, his outstanding comeback after a surprising 200 and 500 led Felix to the long-awaited title of NCAA Champion in 1650-yard freestyle.

Moving to train at Loughborough University in 2020, Felix has thrived in a new training regime. A combination of threshold and race pace sets which have pushed both his mental and physical strength.

Listen as we discuss his ‘what-if’ preparation for Tokyo, the newly added women’s 1500m and men’s 800m to the Olympic program and most importantly: what it takes to be a world-class distance swimmer.

Enjoy our distance clinic with Felix!

thesocialkick.com

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The Social Kick are honored to have Dick Pound on the show this week!

The first ever President of the World-Anti Doping Agency and two-time Vice President of the International Committee, Dick Pound is a giant in the world of sport.

A chartered accountant and lawyer, Dick’s roots are in swimming. Representing Canada at 1960 Rome Olympics and 1962 Perth British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Dick held the Commonwealth record for the 110yards Freestyle.

Dick is the longest serving member of the IOC, playing a pivotal part in revolutionizing the Olympic movement in a multi-billion-dollar franchise by negotiating TV and sponsorship deals.

His drive and passion in the fight against drugs in sport has led to his involvement in world-wide news stories and controversies. Particularly, his work on the Ben Johnson drug scandal at the 1988 Seoul Games and motivation for change within drug-testing in sport.

Be captivated by his knowledge and motivation for change as we discuss his impactful career, Olympic involvement and remarkable cases.

Enjoy our chat with Dick Pound!

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Marie Wattel roars onto the podcast this week after her recent success at the 2021 FNN Golden Tour in Marseille. Marie won the 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

Competing for France, she trains at Loughborough University in England, a move she made in 2016 after deciding she needed a change in her training following her performance at the Rio Olympics.

We chat about her decision to move to England, French trials and how she adapted to training in France over lockdown. Marie also gives an insight into her next steps after graduation and the differences between her training in France and England (including no more 200m Flys)!

As she matures as an athlete, watch how Marie Wattel improves her training styles and tackles spaghetti arm freestyle.

One thing is for sure, Marie Wattel finds solutions.

Enjoy!

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Fresh off the block from Men’s NCAAs, breaststroker Reece Whitley joins us on The Social Kick.

Reece holds the second fastest ever time in the 200 Breaststroke SCY and has soared onto the international swimming scene over the last few years.

Looking ahead to the summer, we discuss his recent performance at NCAAs alongside his Cal teammates (even if he never sees them train), and the impressive roster working towards the 200m Breaststroke final at Olympic Trails.

Not just a great athlete but a great teammate, Reece talks about his pride in being a leader for the new recruits joining the Bears and gives us his best, on-the-spot, ISL draft pitch for this season.

In the wake of Eddie Reece’s retirement announcement, Reece credits Cal’s dominance in the pool over the last years to the coaching excellence of David Durden and how a good coach holds a lasting magnetism over a team.

A hardworking athlete and arguably the best reaction face in swimming, Reece Whitley is definitely one to watch. Enjoy!

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Shaine Casas is not just looking to win big at NCAAs this week, he's looking to break records.

The 2019 U.S. National Champion in 100m Backstroke joins us on the first day of Men's NCAAs to talk about his mentality and goals. Swimming for Texas A&M, Casas is the 4th fastest swimmer in the 200 Backstroke SCY and only a second away from Ryan Murphy's fastest swim ever.

An enthusiastic young athlete, Casas radiates energy and wisdom, bringing it on deck to every practice and meet.

Tune in to hear about his Olympic dreams, 'person before swimmer' attitude and impressive shoe collection.

Enjoy!

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