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The Foreign Connection: Uniting for the American Dream in Swimming with Lionel Moreau
Episode #320
SWIM NERD
June 06, 2023
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The Foreign Connection: Uniting for the American Dream in Swimming with Lionel Moreau
Episode #320
In the interview between Lionel Moreau and Brett Hawke, they discuss their friendship, history, and experiences as foreigners coming to America. They reminisce about how they met, with Lionel and his friend Roman Barnier coming to the U.S. from France and meeting Brett, an Australian, on the bus.
The three of them formed "the foreign connection" and supported each other in proving themselves as talented swimmers and adjusting to American culture. They talk about their excitement of living in the U.S., remembering their first trip to Walmart and buying everything they needed for their apartment, as well as their desire to buy American cars.
The interview also highlights the determination and commitment they showed individually and as a group to make the most out of the opportunity and prove themselves on the American swimming stage.
Additionally, they talk about the importance of embracing the unknown and taking risks in order to achieve their goals.
All of these elements contribute to the overall story of their friendship and shared experiences as international student-athletes attending Auburn University and the camaraderie that developed between them.
Lastly, they discuss the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, the Marchand Family, and the Bob Bowman Effect.
Enjoy!
YouTube Time Stamps:
00:00 - Welcome Lionel Moreau!
01:12 - Coming To America
14:48 - Winning NCAAs For The First Time
24:35 - Team Captain
34:40 - Lessons And Cultural Differences
38:01 - The Paris Olympics
42:38 - The Marchand Family
49:03 - The Bob Bowman Effect
52:41 - Coaching At The Olympics
55:29 - Future Plans
57:40 - Sending Swimmers Abroad