Even if I flop, I still qualified for the Games, and that was my goal. My target was to be at an Olympics for the third time with people I like.

There have been some hard times, people around me supported me.

In Athens I was 17 and I didn't have any expectations. I was just swimming fast and racing everybody. I didn't have the joy after my races in 2007. I didn't want to go to Beijing. I had to for sponsors.

I'm still wearing Target and hand-me-downs.

Sochi will be my third Olympics, and I'm coming into these games in a stronger position than I've been in years past.

Even in its third century, America is still the most meritocratic nation in the world.