Andrii was being interviewed by Hangzhoufeel. Photo Chen Miaolin
By Chen Miaolin
He had risen before the break of dawn, well before five, and hastened to Hangzhou International School (HIS). There, after holding an intense training session with the school's promising young swimmers，he was going to answer questions from the parents.
With a tall stature and dressed in the uniform of HIS, he exuded an approachable demeanor, as if he were one of the teachers at the school.
Wearing a warm smile, he gazed at us with his blue eyes and extended his hand in greeting. Without further ado, he led the way to the conference room, eagerly inviting the parents to take seats closer, engaging them in sharing his captivating story. He was the fifty-meter butterfly world record holder, Andrii Govorov.
I don't like swimming, honestly
The journey of this unordinary child to become a world champion is nothing short of remarkable. At a tender age, Andrii's love for swimming flourished, quickly revealing his inherent swimming prowess as he progressed through swimming groups. However, Andrii confessed, "I don't like swimming, honestly, I like winning. That was the difference."
What truly distinguished Andrii at a young age was his unparalleled self-discipline and perseverance. When he was nine, he established his ambitious goal to become the fastest swimmer in the world, a dream that he has been steadfastly pursuing.
Every day, he undertook a morning run at 6:00, attended school at 8:00, and then began his first swimming training session at 11:30. In the afternoon, he resumed his training at 3:30. Gradually, he found no competition among his local peers, which prompted him to explore the internet to discover if there were any swimmers of his age faster than him across the globe. At the age of 16, he made his international debut and began coming to the fore in various races, firmly establishing his status as a rising star in the world of swimming.
The story beneath the gold medals
Andrii's crowning moment was at the Seven Hills competition in Rome, where he broke the world record with a time of 22.27 seconds in the 50m butterfly—a record that stood unchallenged for a remarkable six years. He etched his name in swimming history as a six-year consecutive swimming record holder，and to this day, that record remains unbroken. He described the exhilarating moment of the win as "one of the best sensations of life" , adding, "Imagine since you were young, you dream about something that is very far away. And one moment, one day, in one minute you understood that is gonna happen and then you're breaking it (the record) and this is the most impressive sensation."
However, beneath the glitz and glamour of gold medals lies a story of sacrifice and unwavering commitment. Andrii's journey to becoming a record holder was fraught with challenges. He endured countless hours of exhausting training, pushing both his physical and mental boundaries to surpass his own previous achievements. Andrii showed us the scars left on his shoulder from the surgeries, candidly admitting that swimming has sometimes taken a toll on his health. The most painful aspect has been the mental pressure he endured. He revealed that there was a period in his life when he lost the ability to appreciate the beauty around him.
The life after breaking world records is not always full of flowers and applause. The global attention that comes with it is fleeting. Andrii cautioned that the feeling of success after breaking a world record can be somewhat "dangerous" because it can be addictive. At that moment, he experienced an influx of dopamine and happiness and received the attention of many. However, when the spotlight dimed and the stage emptied, Andrii was left with a contrasting feeling of emptiness.
Instead of being overwhelmed by all of the pressures, Andrii optimistically said, "I'm happy to be in this, having to struggle, happy to learn through progress, and happy to overcome those things." Ambitiously, he added, "I keep swearing that I want to try to break it again. And I still have this ability inside me."
From dream chaser to dream builder
"Swimming from one end to the other in a 25-meter pool, how many strokes do you think I need?" Andrii asked the children gathering around the poolside. Without a moment's hesitation, he gracefully plunged into the water and, with just two strokes, gracefully emerged on the other side.
"Wow!" The crowd erupted in awe and astonishment.
This display of skill and talent was just a glimpse into Andrii's role as a swimming coach at Hangzhou International School. Having traveled the world in pursuit of his swimming career, Andrii embraced the opportunity to share his knowledge and passion with aspiring dream chasers. Always passionate in his interactions with others, Andrii aims to make a positive impact on the world. "I teach not just how to succeed but also how to forge one's own identity, from being a child to becoming a successful individual," he said. His coaching clinics became a beacon of inspiration for students globally, as he imparted not only swimming skills but also profound life lessons on success and personal growth.
Beyond his sporting triumphs, Andrii takes on another significant role -- that of an exceptional father. He revealed the secret to effective parenting: treating his son as an equal and independent individual, instilling in him the values of discipline, perseverance, and respect. Andrii demonstrates that being a parent is far more than just exercising authority; it is a lifelong journey of love, guidance, and mutual learning"Being a father is incredibly rewarding because it teaches you how to work with children in a way that you could never learn without having your own. And I teach these kids the same way I would teach my son,"he said.
In the week after a four-day journey in Hangzhou，Andrii will embark on a journey to the United States for seven-week intense preparation for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.