Lydia Jacoby’s Historic Victory
Lydia Jacoby, a rising star in American swimming, made waves at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by winning the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke. This remarkable achievement brought immense pride to her hometown of Seward, Alaska, where the community erupted with joy as Jacoby finished with a time of 1:04.95. No swimmer from this distant, frigid state had ever reached such heights in Olympic history.
An Unexpected Champion
As noted by the Associated Press, “Alaska has never been a major player in American swimming—until now.” Born in 2004, Jacoby knew she had the potential to contend for a medal but never dreamed of winning gold. “I knew I could race for a medal but didn’t expect to win gold. Seeing my name on the scoreboard was truly surreal,” she expressed after her victory. Jacoby faced stiff competition in the final, including U.S. team veteran and 2016 Olympic champion Lilly King, and South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker, who set an Olympic record just two days prior. Although Jacoby was in third place initially, her explosive finish allowed her to overtake both rivals.
Making History
With her victory, Jacoby etched her name into American swimming history. Over the past 20 years, only two swimmers younger than her—Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky—have won Olympic gold. However, both had the advantage of training in more swimming-friendly environments. Franklin thrived in sunny Pasadena, California, while Ledecky trained in Washington, D.C.
Overcoming Adversity
Growing up in the small town of Seward, with a population of less than 3,000, Jacoby faced unique challenges. She was introduced to swimming at a young age, often joining her family on excursions around Resurrection Bay. “Most kids in Seward join the swim team because we live in a community tied to the water. It’s essential, and I really loved it. Once I started winning competitions, I wanted to keep going. And now, here I am,” Jacoby shared in June 2021, just before heading to Tokyo. Community support played a vital role in Jacoby’s Olympic journey. “Many top swimmers come from strong swim clubs, but I come from a small team in a state with few people. It shows that you can achieve anything, no matter where you’re from,” she emphasized.
Training Through Challenges
Training for the Olympics was not easy for Jacoby. Due to the pandemic, she moved from Seward to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, to continue her training. She still faced the harsh reality of swimming in cold waters, as her teammate Gunnar Bentz observed. At just 17, Jacoby has made her mark in both Olympic and American swimming history. Her senior teammate and competitor Lilly King acknowledged Jacoby’s talent, saying, “I’m thrilled for Lydia. It’s amazing to see the future of American breaststroke shining like this. I always knew she was a threat, and seeing her hard work pay off is truly inspiring.”
