Silver medalist Rhyan White gets hero's welcome on return from 2020 Tokyo Olympics
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Very few people can say they’ve competed in what’s globally hailed the most prestigious athletic event in the world, but one Utahn can and she’s made her state super proud, being the Utah’s first Olympic swimmer.
Rhyan White knew at the tender age of 10 that she would one day swim in the Olympics.
The 21-year-old from Herriman reached her goal and with her Olympic accomplishments hoped to motivate others.
“Prove them wrong, that’s my favorite thing to do. Just be brave and embrace who you are. That’s the most important – it’ll make you the happiest for sure,” she said.
White’s plane touched down in Salt Lake City on Monday, since stepping off the plane, she’s been overwhelmed with community support and congratulations from all over the state.
I mean, obviously my goal is to go back to the Olympics.
Her local neighborhood came out to throw her a huge welcome home celebration with a police escort and parade around Herriman.
“It was really cool to sit in the top of the truck and show everyone my medal, and my family that’s come over the house. Everyone wants to see it and hold it. It’s actually really heavy,” said White.
White said she’ll never forget her excitement of competing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
“There were so many different athletes from all over the world. It was just incredible to be surrounded by that,” she said.
White’s area of swimming expertise is the backstroke. She won the silver medal in the 4x100 medley relay and placed fourth in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke races.
Rhyan was just 0.38 and 0.22 seconds behind third place in the those two races – just a half second combined from two bronze medals.
While it was a heartbreak getting fourth place and just off the podium, she said she’s looking on the bright side.
“I think it should be something that I should be proud of. So, I’m still really proud of myself,” she said.
Just be brave and embrace who you are.
Rhyan said competing during the pandemic and not having the familiar noise of cheers from family and fans in the stands was challenging. The cheers were more social media based.
“You got all sorts of messages of people wishing you luck, which is so amazing – although it can add a lot of pressure, because they’re not there but they are watching you,” said White.
She has taken notes to help her prepare for the future – specifically the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The University of Alabama senior and 2021 SEC Swimmer of the Year said she will work over the next three years on confidence in herself and getting mentally stronger.
“I mean, obviously my goal is to go back to the Olympics,” she said.
White attended AMES High School in Murray.
