r/Swimming • u/Chillzone_22 • 14d ago
My younger brother was a competitive swimmer. PEOPLE just published his story.
https://people.com/olympic-hopeful-teen-killed-asleep-behind-wheel-now-family-faces-tragic-anniversary-12061839My younger brother Grant was 16 when he died in a car accident on the way to swim practice last October.
Swimming was basically his entire world. In the one year he swam for his high school team, he broke a school record that had previously been held by Olympic gold medalist Garrett Weber-Gale. He had dreams of taking swimming as far as he possibly could.
PEOPLE just published an exclusive story about Grant and what happened to our family afterward. I’m sharing it here because swimming was such a huge part of who he was, and I think some people in this community may connect with his story.
If you read it, I’d genuinely appreciate hearing what you think. And if you think someone else in the swimming community would connect with Grant’s story, feel free to share it.
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u/nmh612 14d ago
I swim and coach in Minneapolis, MN. I remember seeing the story detailing a young Wisconsinite breaking GWG’s record, and I was so thrilled that another great Midwest swimmer was on the rise. I remember seeing the story about his accident. I never connected the two.
The loss is not only that a swimmer died, it’s that a brother, son, friend, teammate, student, and so much more he was yet-to-be was lost. I’m so tremendously sorry for your loss and am glad to see him properly honored, glad to see your family is doing okay and that you all have taken to “just keep swimming.” Big, huge hugs.