By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – While most people sat in front of their televisions in awe watching athletes from around the world compete at the recent Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 19-year-old Northborough resident Dorian McMenemy was actually there, competing in the 50-meter freestyle swim.
McMenemy was the only female swimmer representing the Dominican Republic, where her mother, Luisa, was born. She also competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
As she heads back to start her second year at Wagner College in New York, she will have plenty to share with her friends.
McMenemy marched with about 20 to 30 other athletes from the Dominican Republic in the opening ceremonies, which lasted about six hours.
In comparing her experiences in London and Rio, she said she enjoyed both countries, but they are much different places. Overall, both events were well organized. She noticed that there was more security in Rio so she always felt safe.
“Rio did have a few problems like the water turned green in the diving pool,” she said. “The room accommodations were OK, but there were some showers that were not working at arrival.”
With all the media coverage on the Zika virus, McMenemy didn’t think it was a problem at all.
“It is winter there now so it was fine,” she said. “There are more bugs during the summer because it is so humid.”
In London, she swam the butterfly but since then her freestyle has improved a lot and she qualified for the 50-meter freestyle in Rio.
There were practice and training pools available to the swimmers before they competed. She swam in the sixth heat and was a little bit nervous as she waited her turn to swim.
“I was nervous because you have only one shot,” she said.
Although she didn’t place for a medal in her event, she finished in the middle of the pack which is a huge accomplishment when swimming with the best swimmers in the world.
“I definitely wish I did better, but realize that few people get this opportunity,” said McMenemy.
She didn’t even know if she would qualify to be a part of the team until the beginning of July.
“I kept training as if I was going,” she said.
Her parents, Luisa and Ron, and younger sister accompanied her to Rio, and have been a support to her throughout her swimming career, which began at age 7 when she joined her first swim team. When she is not competing at national and world swim meets, she continues to swim for the team at Wagner College. She has not decided on a major, but she said she is leaning toward business studies.
Her immediate goal is to swim at school and continue to practice and compete. She has not ruled out competing in the 2020 Olympic Games.
“Swimming is a part of my life; I always make time for swimming,” McMenemy said.
While in Rio, she was able to meet up with friends she has met through her national competitions, and she also took the time to be a spectator at the other swimming events.
“It was very cool to watch and to be there and be a part of it all,” she said.
She does have advice for young athletes.
“Only do it if you like doing it. Don’t force yourself to do something that you don’t like,” she said. “Be positive about everything.”
After a rigorous training schedule pre-Olympics, including qualifying competitions, McMenemy is enjoying her downtime before leaving for school again.
“It’s nice to be home and to spend time with family,” she said. “I’ve had a chance to hang out with friends and go to the mall and to the beach.”
Photos/Luisa McMenemy
