After nearly six weeks of waiting, the Summer Games are finally here! Prelims start tonight, and speaking for everyone on the team, we are all so excited to finally get this meet started. Much like Trials, there is a lot of nervousness and anxiousness wrapped up into the excitement, but in a slightly different way.

At Trials, the goal is to simply make the Team. I say simply not because it’s a simple task, but because nothing more than first or second required to make the Team. Records and personal bests are icing on the cake, but ultimately they don’t matter at that point in time. The coaching staff has said this many times over the past few weeks and it rings true: the hardest part of this entire process is behind us. Making the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team is one of the hardest feats in the world of sport.

Our performances over the next several days are what we have trained for over the past several years. The next nine days are going to be tiring, intense, and thrilling. I’m not sure how much the NBC Amazing Awaits commercial has aired back home in the States, but I absolutely love it. I first saw it exactly a year ago during the one-year out celebration, and it gets me pumped every time I see it.

For all of you who have been supporting me and my fellow teammates over the past several months (or years)… Thank you! I cannot tell you how much that means to me, and I hope to do you proud. Wish me luck and keep on sending those good luck vibes.

Amazing Awaits.

Can't wait to watch you and the rest of Team USA own the pool. Good luck and swim fast Natalie!

Nat, Wishing you the best and sending you all the positive energy possible!!! So proud of you and so proud to know you!!! :) again, best wishes, xoxo

Amanda Nascimento/Meza

You started out the relay very strong last night. I was so happy to finally see you swimming again!! I haven't seen any of the amazing awaits commercials for a while now. It's just been Coke and McDonalds and Cingular Wireless commericals. They were running them last month though on Channel 4.4 during the Trials.

Anyway, just wanted to stop by and wish you luck in your next race. I'll be rooting you on for sure!! Hope to see you on that medal stand! Good luck, swim hard and go get 'em Natalie!!

D

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Hi,

first of all ,congratulations!!

well done!

I`m a Chinese girl ,maybe my English is very poor ,you know .

In all, good luck !

I'm so proud of you ,Natalie!

I took a lot of picture of you .Well done.

I'm a Chinese girl,and I love swimming very much.

Good Luck,and I hope you can enjoy youself in my hometown,beijing.

Natalie......congrats on the five medals so far...always nice to end the meet on a relay so you can celebrate the last medal as a team..so we will be cheering you all on as we watch.  Thrilling stuff..our best to the entire team as you all have made for some great August days this summer.  We took yesterday off and ran the South Fork of the American River...great time...hot here...now back in sleepy homey Lafayette.  The town awaits your return.

The Gerson Family (Springbrook Hogs)

Natalie, What an amazing EIGHT days you shared with us! Your accomplishments in the pool brought us many smiles and Hi-5's! Your quiet grace, cooperative spirit, commitment and ability to 'be in the moment' allowed us to 'feel' and share in your accomplishments. Watching YOU SMILE and enjoy 'the moment' allowed us to better understand and appreciate your accomplishment as well as the road traveled to get there. IT was a defining Olympic moment watching you receive your GOLD medal for the 100 Back, the face of genuine "Pride AND Appreciation" of the moment and a reflection of what it took and meant to be there! An Olympic moment to cherish ! Congratulations for another amazing Olympic adventure, we loved sharing it!