This week, the College welcomed back a familiar face—alumnus and Olympic swimmer Kyle Lee from the Class of 2019. Kyle has recently returned from competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he represented Australia in open-water swimming. His visit brought excitement to the campus, and students were eager to meet and hear from an Olympian who once walked the same halls.
Fondly remembered by his teachers as a kind and intelligent student, Kyle’s visit was an inspiring reunion for both students and staff. One of his former teachers, Mrs Terri Gann, had the opportunity to engage with Kyle for a lively Q&A session in front of an eager audience of lucky students.
He generously shared his journey as a student at what was formerly known as Mercy Campus of Bunbury Catholic College and delved into topics ranging from nutrition to the details of Olympic training.
When talking about his preparation leading up to race day, Kyle revealed the critical role of nutrition, especially focusing on carbohydrate intake. "Carbohydrates like pasta and potatoes are really important because that's what your body uses for energy during competition," he explained. He also touched on other key components of his diet, such as protein for muscle repair and fats for maintaining energy levels.
When asked about swimming in the Seine River, Kyle reassured the students that the water quality during his event was safe, as it had been thoroughly tested for contaminants. He noted that earlier in the week, some triathletes had encountered issues due to poor water conditions, but by the time of his race, the weather had cleared, and the water was safe.
Kyle also spoke about the surreal experience of living in the Olympic Village. While he didn't get the chance to meet his dream team—the USA Basketball team—he did cross paths with Australian basketball legend Patty Mills. “It’s amazing because you realise that these top-level athletes are just like you and me,” Kyle shared with the students.
In addition to the Q&A, Kyle took the time to engage with students from local swimming clubs and even interrupted a Physical Education class in the gymnasium to answer more questions.
He also took a nostalgic walk around the campus, which has grown significantly since his time here, meeting some of his former teachers along the way. When passing by the Food and Hospitality classroom, students even offered him a freshly cooked lunch.
We are incredibly grateful to Kyle for taking the time to reconnect with the school and inspire the next generation of students. His visit serves as a powerful reminder that dedication and passion can take you from the classroom to the world stage.
For those interested in hearing more from Kyle, click here to listen to the full classroom interview.
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