Ervin: 'I'm gonna make the Tokyo team'

Anthony Ervin won the 50 freestyle 16 years ago at the 2000 Olympics and auctioned off the medal to aid survivors of the 2004 tsunami.

Published : Aug 13, 2016 16:18 IST

American swimmer Anthony Ervin believes he can participate in one more Olympics.
American swimmer Anthony Ervin believes he can participate in one more Olympics.
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American swimmer Anthony Ervin believes he can participate in one more Olympics.

With a win in the 50 meter freestyle at Rio 2016 on Friday, veteran American sprinter Anthony Ervin became the oldest individual gold medallist in Olympic swimming history.

But the 35-year-old is not done swimming, in fact he is planning another Olympic run, looking ahead to the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

"I'm gonna try and make the Tokyo team of course," Ervin said. 

"Obviously I like being in an environment where I can keep trying to swim to the best of my potential and I don't think my age should limit me to that and I don't think fear of defeat should limit that either because I don't think about winning or losing, it's just about being the best I can be for me and those that supported me."

Ervin won the 50 freestyle 16 years ago at the 2000 Olympics and auctioned off the medal to aid survivors of the 2004 tsunami.

After that he retired from swimming, divulging in recreational drug use, while he joined a rock band. But after finding his true passion once again in 2010 and discussing the journey in his memoir, Ervin seems to be back for good.

He said his journey came full circle with Friday's win. 

"It's been an incredible journey to think that after 16 years I'm back on the podium at the Olympic Games," Ervin said.

"But all the credit is to the love and support of my people, my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my country.

"My people extend beyond the borders of the United States of America and into the world. They've all been a part of this. If I've achieved anything great it was because I was upon their shoulders and they lifted me up."

Ervin, who has been training recently in Charlotte with head Olympic women's coach David Marsh, did not announce where he will continue his training. 

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