5 QUESTIONS FOR DONNA DE VARONA

"Donna de Varona was 13 years old and the youngest member of the U.S. swim team at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. She went on to set 18 world records, win two Olympic gold medals, become TV's first female sportscaster, and work tirelessly over six decades to open doors to opportunity for women in sports, business, and other fields. She's still racing to make change, and in Paris over the next two weeks, she'll be representing the USOPC (U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) as a member of its executive board. Donna is also a JOURNEY Champion, helping us equip the best emerging women leaders to scale. Ahead of the Games, I couldn't resist asking her for her perspective on the Olympics, then and now…"- Pattie Sellers, Co-founder, JOURNEY

Donna, how are these Olympics different from your first Olympic Games in 1960?

In 1960, there were no team sports for women. Not one. Only 11% of the participants were women. These 2024 Olympics have gender parity—equal representation of male and female athletes—for the first time ever. Women are competing in all sports—team sports, combat sports, and cutting-edge sports like breakdancing which is called "breaking," surfing, rock climbing, and skateboarding.

You know what it's like to win gold. So what's that feeling?.

Going to the Olympics at 13, not winning a medal, and meeting champions like Mohammed Ali and Wilma Rudolph motivated me to commit to train for four more years. By the time I went to the Olympics in Tokyo at 17, I was the GOAT in swimming—on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice, and expectations were so high. It was a relief when I won gold. The other medal I won was a relay. We beat the Australians and won the gold. That win was joyous. Then, after you win, you think: What's next?

What makes an Olympic champion?

So many factors beyond talent. You have to have the right training, the right facilities, the right timing. I was sick on the day I won my individual gold in Tokyo. I had a fever. But I knew I could win. "I always trained to be the best in the world on my worst day". You focus on the task at hand.

What most excites you about Paris 2024?

I'm excited about the possibility of Paris bringing the world together—by showcasing friendship between countries where there's tension. I'm also excited about NBC's commitment to market these Olympics like they never have before.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo drew global attention by swimming in the Seine. Would you swim in the Seine?

If I were part of the organizing committee, I suppose I would swim in the Seine.