'A really great fit for me': Calgarian to represent the United States at 2024 Summer Olympics
Jamie Czarkowski started artistic swimming when she was six years old. By the time she was eight, she had the dream of being an Olympian.
Czarkowski says the dream started after she met Olympian Cari Din, who won a silver medal at the 1996 games in Atlanta.
“Her mom is really good friends with my grandma and she went to the Olympics and got a medal,” Czarkowski said.
“So one day I met up with her and she showed me her Olympic medal and I got to hold it and that was I think the first time when I was like, ‘I want to go to the Olympics.’”
Czarkowski will realize her dream at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, in late July and early August.
Even though she was born and raised in Calgary and competed in many events for Canada, she’ll go to the Olympics representing the United States.
Czarkowski is a dual citizen, her dad is American and she says there were a couple of factors that went into her decision.
“It was kind of a mix,” she said.
“COVID played a big part of that and the coaching here in Canada wasn’t really aligned with my values and down there it was aligned with my values. So I tried out and made it and it’s been a really great fit for me down there.”
Hero's welcome
Czarkowski trains in Los Angeles but recently came back to Calgary to visit family and friends.
She says she got a big surprise when she walked into the door. The house was decorated with American colours and posters congratulating her on making it to the games.
“It was really fun that they had planned this little surprise for me and we got to celebrate a little bit,” said the 20-year-old.
“I celebrated with my team right after it happened but it was nice that I got to come straight home to celebrate with them because they’ve been my biggest support my whole life.”
'It feels kind of surreal'
Team USA qualified for the games in artistic swimming for the first time since 2008.
Czarkowski will compete in the team completion but will also try out to make it as a duet. She still can’t believe she’s going to Paris.
“It’s super exciting and honestly it feels kind of surreal,” she said.
“It’s been this goal that I’ve been working towards my entire life and especially the past couple of years it’s been my main focus. Now that it’s really happening it’s super exciting and it feels like all my hard work and everything that I’ve given up and sacrificed is all worth it for sure.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.