In two separate interviews over the last 24 hours, with two Danish media outlets, distance specialist and Danish swimming star Lotte Friis revealed that she will stay in Baltimore in preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio after which she will most likely hang up her suit for good.
In an interview with Berlingske Media Friis expressed how much she has enjoyed training with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and coach Bob Bowman, “Generally, they are great and talented coaches, and Bob Bowman has not only acquired some really great results with Michael Phelps, but is also really nice and a very supportive coach to be with,” says Friis.
“The whole team is very elitie , and it all takes place on a real high level, which I think is really cool , but at the same time they are also nice people to deal with, and that obviously means something.”
The elite group at NBAC that is under the watchful eye Bowman includes; Americans Connor Dwyer, Matt McLean and Allison Schmitt, along with French superstar Yannick Agnel and Friis.
“I’ve looked at the opportunities I had and maintain the desire to continue towards Rio, and in the two months I have been in the U.S., I found that it was something I wanted permanently,” says Friis.
Friis is not only looking at the move as the right thing to do for her swimming career, but she feels that it will give her the best opportunity to achieve both her academic and swimming goals.
“The U.S. has both some good training opportunities with some really talented coaches, and secondly , I have the opportunity to go to school because it is after all a bit easier in English than if it had to be in French in Nice,” says Friis.
In a separate interview with Sporten Friis revealed that she plans to put that education to use after Rio, which is when she plans to retire no matter how she performs at the next Olympic Games, “I would like to go to Rio, but following Rio the bathing suit will be shelved, regardless of what happens,” said Friis.
“There I am 28 years old, and I’ve had a pretty good career. No matter what happens in the next few years, I’ve won a lot of international medals and can be proud of what I have done.”
Friis’ medal collection from major international competitions is extensive:
- 2008 Beijing Olympics – bronze – 800 freestyle
- 2009 Rome World Championships – gold – 800 freestyle silver – 1500 freestyle
- 2011 Shanghai World Championships – gold – 1500 freestyle silver – 800 freestyle
- 2013 Barcelona World Championships – silver – 800 and 1500 freestyle
She desires to add more hardware to her collection in Rio, but feels that she has come to recognize that she has accomplished a lot no matter what the result, “I have nothing to prove, and that is why I feel that the pressure that others will put on me, does not exist. I have proven that I am a good swimmer – one of the world’s best in the long distances.”
Once she does hang up her suit she has a desire to enter the world of the media, “I would really like to be a TV host,” says Friis.
She talked about her desire to host either a morning or evening talk show. She joked with the interviewer that she is well prepared for the morning shift, “I will easily be able to get up at four or five, if I may be allowed to host Good Morning Denmark. No doubt. Three is also fine, if that’s what it takes,” says Lotte Friis with a big smile.