Olympic gold-medal swimmer honored
The honors and recognition continue for Special Olympics swimmer Michael Tuason.
From June 25 through July 4, more than 7,000 athletes, including 550 from the U.S., traveled to Athens, Greece, to compete in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Athletes were allowed to participate in up to four events.
Of the 19 athletes from Florida, Tuason, 19, was Pasco County's sole athlete. The Mitchell High School graduate competed in four swimming events and medaled in all four, winning the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle and 800-meter freestyle events. He captured the bronze medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle. As part of a four-man relay team, he won the bronze medal in the 50-meter breaststroke.
"It was very exciting to represent my country," said Tuason. "When I heard my name announced as the winner or medalist in an event, I looked at my parents and we exchanged smiles."
On Wednesday, Tuason and his parents were invited into the Palm Harbor office of U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). The Congressman presented Tuason with a letter and commemorative coin.
"I've never met an Olympic gold-medal athlete before," said Bilirakis. "You and your parents must be very proud."
Following the presentation, Bilirakis mentioned that his children had recently visited Greece on a church retreat. He and Tuason talked about visiting the historic sites and some of the local restaurants around Athens.
Tuason mentioned that he and his parents climbed The Acropolis and visited The Parthenon, built in 438 BC.
"It was fun to climb the steps to see it and take pictures of Athens," he said.
To prepare for the competition, Tuason had practiced a minimum of two hours every day for the last three years at the New Port Richey Aquatic Center.
"He is a dedicated swimmer," said aquatics coach Rita Miller earlier. "When he gets into the lap pool, he asks, 'How many, Coach?' "
For the past 11/2 years, he has also practiced at the Long Center in Clearwater. There, he trains twice a day with the swim team composed of non-Special Olympic members. One of his more unusual practice activities is to swim in the gulf at Clearwater Beach.
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One of his more unusual practice activities is to swim in the gulf at Clearwater Beach. "To swim against the current is the best way for a swimmer to train," Miller said. "It's really a workout." The Special Olympics format was similar to the one used
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