Nick Albiero on representing LGBTQ+ community at Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky friendship & more (Source: Getty)

"If I inspire 1 gay boy, it's worth it"- Nick Albiero on representing LGBTQ+ community at Paris Olympics, Katie Ledecky friendship & more in Exclusive

Modified Jul 25, 2024 19:17 GMT

When Nick Albiero takes to the start line for the men's 200 metre butterfly at the Paris La Dsfense Arena, his ultimate goal of competing at an Olympic Games will be achieved. His rollercoaster journey to becoming an Olympian involved the brave move of switching countries, rediscovering his passion for swimming and dealing with his personal life.

Albiero, who holds dual citizenship for the United States and Brazil, was an outstanding college athlete. He is a two-time NCAA champion for the University of Louisville and was the first person to win five individual conference championships in the 200-yard butterfly in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference). If that wasn't impressive enough, he also won 13 relay championships.

Along with success, there have also been challenges for the 25-year-old, who struggled to come to terms with his sexuality during his early years after growing up in a Christian high school and middle school. Fortunately, he is now able to compete as his authentic self and hopes to inspire others too who may be in a similar situation to him. An estimated 10,500 athletes will be taking part in the Olympics but less than 200 are openly LGBT, according to research conducted by Outsports.

In an email exchange with Sportskeeda, Albiero speaks in detail about his journey ahead of Friday's opening ceremony in Paris, France.

SPORTSKEEDA: It is an athlete's dream to compete in the Olympics. Now it has become a reality for you, is it everything that you expected?

ALBIERO: After a couple of days here in the (Olympic) village, it’s absolutely insane. Walking around knowing that some of the best athletes of all time are here is a crazy feeling. I think once the competition starts it will feel more real. Right now every second is just a dream and I’m still exploring all of what the village has to offer.

It’s so cool, more than what I expected. It will probably take me a long time after the Games are over to fully process what is happening and reflect on how far I’ve come in this sport.

SPORTSKEEDA: You have two NCAA Division I championship titles and 28 All-America honors. Those living outside America, will not be as familiar with the NCAA system. Can you explain how the organization has helped develop your career as an athlete?

ALBIERO: Going through the NCAA and being a student athlete has changed my life as a swimmer. Not only do I have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree now, but I got to represent a university at the highest level. Getting to swim at the University of Louisville under my dad, Arthur, as head coach was a dream. My dad is one of the best coaches in the world and he has changed the trajectory of Louisville Swimming. Now they are consistently one of the top schools in the nation each year and being a small part of that means everything.

Specifically talking about swimming, an NCAA Championship is gruelling. In my first two years, I was swimming 13 races in the 4-day competition. In my last 2 years, the lineup changed but I was still racing 10 times in 4 days. That taught me more mental toughness than physical toughness. If you can handle that, you can pretty much handle every other meet there is, even the US Olympic Trials. I’d say that’s the most stressful meet ever but physically it was always a lesser load for me than NCAA. There’s just something about being on a college team, going to practice and class together every day. I have memories for a lifetime from college, and that’s more important to me than any title.

SPORTSKEEDA: You have chosen to represent Brazil to honor your father's heritage. How tough was that choice and did you ever have any fear of being criticized for not representing America?

Nick Albiero: It was a very hard decision to move countries, but one that I couldn’t pass up. As a kid, I always dreamed of living in Brazil. Every time we visited my family in São Paulo, I would cry on the plane telling my mom I wanted to stay or that I felt like I belonged there. When I had the opportunity to move, meet new people, learn a new language, swim outdoors, and experience a new lifestyle, I couldn’t say no. How could you?

I would have regretted saying no for the rest of my life. It was hard to move away from family but they were more excited for me than I was for myself. Making the Olympic team was icing on the cake.

People are quick to judge because they read headlines but they have no idea what it took or how much went into it or how much I struggled. I left everything that was comfortable. I went from a pretty nice living situation to living with someone I had never met with no wifi or air conditioner. Plus, I didn’t even know if representing Brazil was an option when I moved there, since I had represented the US in 2017.

I genuinely moved to have a new experience and, honestly, continue my swimming career. I was getting to the point of retiring because I was unhappy swimming. This past year has sparked my love for the sport again. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be swimming but I’m honoured to wear the Brazilian flag on my cap until the end.

SPORTSKEEDA: How did you find the transition into the Brazilian team?

Nick Albiero: Brazilian and US teams are completely different. With the Brazilian national team, it took me a second to get comfortable and break out of my shell. The language barrier doesn’t help, as I’m not fluent in Portuguese yet. Most of them are nice and always willing to help, but it’s a different atmosphere. Each day gets better as I open up more. However, the team I train with and represent is amazing. Minas Tênis Clube instantly became my family when I moved. The team is filled with incredible people with huge hearts. With them, I immediately felt at home and they made sure every single day that I was okay. I’ll keep that team with me in my heart forever. They’ve changed my life.

SPORTSKEEDA: You placed fourth at the Sette Colli 2024 last month in the 200m butterfly. How happy have you been with your form so far this year and what are your goals for the Olympics?

Nick Albiero: I was very happy with that meet! It was my first time in Rome so I was enjoying all of it. That performance was my fastest un-shaved and un-tapered time so it was nice to see some good results and gain a little bitmore confidence moving forward.

In Paris, I won’t be putting too much pressure on myself. It is a dream to be here so I’m taking advantage of each moment, not looking too far ahead or dwelling on the past, and going to do my best. I’m feeling all the emotions.

SPORTSKEEDA: Last year in an interview with Team USA, you said since coming out you feel less pressure. Now you are living life as your authentic self, do you believe you have become a better swimmer?

Nick Albiero: I think it took me a while to feel that way even after coming out. I was facing a lot of challenges and still not performing my best after doing so. It was frustrating. Living in Brazil has changed my perspective though. Where I live it’s so accepting and welcoming. I don’t even put too much thought into it anymore. I’m just a guy that wants to swim fast. Who cares who I like?

Technically, going at a best time means I am competing better than I ever have so… yes I would say I have become a better swimmer. More importantly, I feel like I have become a better person. This past year forced me to mature a lot. I have gained more patience, self-control, and gratitude.

I’ve also grown a lot in my relationship with God, which is still so important to me after hearing what people say or think about people like us (the LGBT+ community). All of that shows in my performances but also my daily life as a person.

SPORTSKEEDA: You have spoken before about wanting to represent the LGBT community. Can you explain why it is important for there to be LGBT role models at the Olympics?

Nick Albiero: I think about my younger self, watching and cheering on elite swimmers and wanting to be like them, but never seeing anyone that I actually felt represented me. Swimming is such a vulnerable sport and it can be very challenging to feel comfortable in your own skin. I understand what these emotions and feelings are. My goal in all of this is for a young generation of gay boys in the swimming world to see someone at this level and say to themselves “he is there so why can’t I be one day?”… At this stage, everyone is watching so if I can inspire or encourage just one gay boy, in or out of the pool, it’s all worth it to me.

SPORTSKEEDA: Who are your sporting heros?

Nick Albiero: In the swimming world, my role models are Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky. I’m lucky enough to say that Katie and I are friends now, and I’m currently reading her new book! I was also a big fan of Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers, and Missy Franklin growing up.

In other sports, I really admire Simone Biles and Tom Daley. My mom is also a huge inspiration for me. She did the Ironman Triathlon in 2015. Watching her train for that and then actually complete it was mind-blowing. If she can do that, which took over 13 hours, I can do a race that takes less than 2 minutes.

SPORTSKEEDA: Finally, swimming can be intense so what do you do outside the sport to relax?

Nick Albiero: It’s definitely important to keep a balance so when I’m not at the pool I’m trying not to think about swimming. In Brazil, I love to go to new coffee shops or cafes. My teammates and I like to watch movies together too or go to the shopping malls. Last year, I finally watched the Harry Potter series and now I’m a huge fan.

Other than that, I’m usually horizontal in my bed trying to recover for the next practice! If I’m in the US then I’m hanging out with my sister, Gabi, all the time or visiting my brother, Estefan, and his wife, Emily. They brought a boy into this world, Eno, so I’m a new uncle and I’m LOVING the uncle life. I also love to hang with my mom, Amy, or shop with her. She always knows what looks good on me haha. My family is certainly my main support system and my rock. I don’t know what I would do without them.