One of Veronica Medon’s favourite quotations is, “Build yourself a podium to stand on, not a safety net to fall back into.”

The 17-year-old swimmer likes the saying so much, it’s part of an inspirational collage on her bedroom door. “It reminds me to always strive forward and to try new things,” she says. “Also to make decisions about things so that I am always moving in the right direction and not setting myself up with excuses if I fail.”

If her recent showings at provincial and national events are any indication, Medon is indeed moving in the right direction. Last spring she won the provincial bronze medal in the 200-metre individual medley, and at the age group nationals, Medon placed 11th in the 50-metre and 200-metre backstroke for 16-to-18-year-old girls. She also made this year’s Olympic trials in the 100-metre butterfly event.

While these results were gratifying, Medon says her main focus is improvement. “I want to achieve my goals, which are times, not ranks,” she says. “Those are the only things I can control.”

Born in Huntsville to Polish parents, Medon attended St. Mary’s Catholic school.

She learned to swim by going to the beach with her father Adam. At age 8 she joined the Rocky Island Swim Club. “In my first year, I didn’t like to race,” she says. “I got nervous and thought I was going to be sick. I liked the fun and games, though.”

Qualifying for the provincial championship at age 11 made her “a bit more serious and confident,” she says.

Medon’s next big turning point came when she went to watch the 2004 Olympic trials. “When I saw the athletes’ reaction to making the team, I wanted to be there,” she says.

Now in Grade 12 at Huntsville High School, Medon swims eight times a week. She is beginning her third year as a member of the MUSAC swim club. “I was a bit scared and intimidated to meet (coach Mark Shivers) at first,” she says. “He became a big motivator, though. When I joined, I got my drive and passion for the sport upped a few notches.”

The athlete appreciates all the support she receives from her coach, family and friends.

The toughest thing, she says, isn’t the physical or emotional aspect of being an elite athlete, but the financial burden it puts on her family.

“When you go to swim meets, you have to pay the coach’s way,” she explains. “At lower levels, the whole team shares the expense, but recently at some high-level events, I’ve had to pay on my own. That’s difficult.”  

Medon says it means a lot to her that people in the town

care about her success. Members of her church and others often cut out clippings and congratulate her mother Krystyna on

her accomplishments.

“But the financial part is still a major aspect of it,” she says. “In bigger cities there are sponsors like airports or sometimes there are reduced fees for team buses. It’s hard to keep going if your money runs out.”

Last year, a neighbour contacted Steven Carr of Comfort Inn, who arranged for the Medon family to receive discounts at hotels when they travelled to swim meets. “I’m very grateful for that,” Medon says.

Recently another friend approached a local service club about helping to cover Medon’s expenses, and the family is hopeful that group will also lend their support.

Medon, who is preparing for post-secondary education next year, says it’s too bad Canadian universities don’t offer full athletic scholarships.

While she doesn’t know what future holds, she is preparing to write the American SATs to keep her options open. “I’m thinking maybe of sport psychology or law,” she says.

In the meantime, she continues to train. “I would love to go to the Olympics,” Medon says. “That’s what I’m working toward. Obviously as far as I get I’ll be happy. I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot, and just getting better is good.”