Livonia native Sheila Taormina knows running, cycling, equestrian show jumping, shooting and archery. And most of all, she knows swimming.
Taormina, 43, is the only woman to appear in four consecutive Olympiads in three different events – swimming in 1996, triathlon in 2000 & 2004, and modern pentathlon in 2008.
On Wednesday, Jan. 30, she’ll talk about technique and share swimming wisdom in a 6:30 p.m. free event at Aberdeen Bike & Outdoors, 1101 S. Main St.
Her talk is part of Aberdeen’s “Cabin Fever” events series, which includes service clinics and special guests on Wednesday nights in January and February.
Taormina will discuss her new book on swim technique, ‘Swim Speed Secrets’ (VeloPress, 2012), which helps triathletes and swimmers overhaul their stroke and swim faster during the free event.
The Olympian also created Swim Speed Workouts, a box set of waterproof cards that translate the book’s core philosophy into workouts, drills and a 16-week training plan.
“It’s an honor to have four-time Olympian and World Champion triathlete Sheila Taormina come to our store and speak,” said Aberdeen Bike & Outdoors owner Mike Casey in a press release.
“Over the years, I have had a chance to get to know her, and she is such a down-to-earth person with endless inspiration and information,” he said.
Swimming – and determination – have been the common threads in Taormina’s unparalleled athletic career.
A collegiate All-America swimmer at the University of Georgia, she earned an MBA before qualifying for her first Olympics in 1996. At 27, an age when many elite swimmers are winding down, Taormina was just getting started.
She won gold as a member of the 4×200 freestyle relay, retired from swimming and took up triathlon, earning spots on two Olympic teams and winning a world championship in 2004.
And then Taormina mastered three completely news sports – fencing, shooting and show jumping – in three years and earned a spot on the 2008 Olympic team in modern pentathlon, a single-day event that also includes running and swimming.
“It’ll be very informative for all swimmers and triathletes, as well as people that just want hear a great speaker,” Casey said.
All events are free for more information, click here.
