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Julia Wilkinson is still getting used to the idea of representing her country in the Summer Olympics. But she and her Canadian swimming team are ready for the challenge.

Julia Wilkinson is one of many international Aggies heading to the Olympics to represent other countries. The idea still has not quite hit home for her.

Beijing Bound

Like a ton of bricks

By: Brett Sebastian

Posted: 7/16/08

With the Beijing Olympics weeks away, the Texas A&M athletes who will represent their countries are in crunch time.

For A&M swimmer Julia Wilkinson, considered the Michael Phelps of the Canadian women's swim team, the approach to the Olympics and the reality of the situation is setting in.

"It's kind of surreal how close it is," Wilkinson said. "I'm just doing everything I can to prepare both to compete and for the experience. It's a once in a lifetime event so I want to make the most of it and experience everything."

Wilkinson is expected to be the star of the Canadian women's team. Earlier this year she qualified for her first Olympics at trials in Canada.

"Because swimming is big in Canada and there are a lot of people looking to go, there's one meet and it's basically Beijing or bust," Wilkinson said.

"There is a lot of stress and uncertainty involved, but in a way it's good because if you're not able to deal with the stress in your national meet then how would you be expected to compete in front of the world in the real deal?" Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson qualified for the Canadian team in her first event on the second day of the meet. While she was marching her way through the meet and qualifying for several events, she also set Canadian records.

"Last summer I just missed the 100 backstroke record," Wilkinson said. "So that was the one record I really wanted to go after and knew I could get."

Wilkinson didn't stop at the 100-meter backstroke record and set a top time in the 200-meter freestyle as well.

"The night before the 200 freestyle race [A&M coach] Steve [Bultman] said I could break the 200 record," Wilkinson said. "So I had that in my head and I accomplished it."

It took Wilkinson some time for the feeling of making it to the Olympics to fully sink in.

"I think a lot of people were disappointed with my reaction and that they were expecting me to be really ecstatic," Wilkinson said. "It was actually a delayed reaction; it all finally hit me when I was back at the hotel. I just started laughing by myself and realizing that I was going to Beijing."

Since then, the summer has been all about preparing for the Olympics.

"Training is up and down, there are good days and there are bad days," Wilkinson said. "Preparation is not about how good you do on your good days; it is about how good you do on your bad days."

But without her Aggie teammates, training has been atypical for Wilkinson.

"Because my A&M teammates are on such different schedules, it has been a little different and strange, especially since we rely on each other so much in season.

"I've been focusing on myself and doing the little things," Wilkinson said. "With it being so close to the Olympics though, it's a little ominous, but I'm excited."

A&M Head Coach Steve Bultman has coached A&M to one of the best teams in school history. Aggie swimmers on the team will be representing Estonia, Canada and the U.S in the Olympics.

Although Bultman will be assisting teammate Triin Aljand on the Estonian team come August, Wilkinson will still look to him for guidance.

"He has totally changed me as a swimmer and has taken me from just another swimmer to one of Canada's best," Wilkinson said. "He's tough, but he is a great coach and I needed that. He knows what it takes to keep me going and perform my best."

Wilkinson spent the first half of the summer training in College Station under her normal routine. In mid-July she leaves for Canada to join the national team.

"We are all rookies," Wilkinson said about the Canadian national team. "We get along really well and we bond well, but it's nothing compared to what we have here at A&M.

"I miss A&M and our team so much when I'm in Canada, but it's such an awesome experience and makes me a better person and athlete."

Before leaving for Beijing, the Canadian team will go to Singapore to get close to China but continue to prepare in a westernized city that lacks the environmental and political problems in China.

"When we get to Singapore, I expect things to start getting really different," Wilkinson said. "Steve will be helping Triin on the Estonian team, but he'll give me workouts to do so I can stay on my current routine and not get thrown off too much.

"Along with that, I will try to take some of the other coach's advice. But around two weeks to go I'll start to bring it down and rest for the real deal."

Despite all the preparations and training, the main goal is the Olympics itself. Wilkinson said she plans to enjoy the games and even be a tourist after the event.

"It's going to be crazy," said Wilkinson. "I've heard so many stories from Triin about the Olympic Village and the events. I hope to see track and field and a few more events. I'm also staying an extra week to be a normal person and go sightseeing.

"There are so many things that you can't expect. I know that there are some concerns about the Olympics in Beijing, especially about pollution. My plan is to try and chill when it comes to things I can't control and do my best."