From Noblesville to the Paris Olympics

Growing up, many children dream of becoming astronauts, famous actors or even Olympic athletes. For Luke Whitlock, an 18-year-old resident of Noblesville, that dream has become a reality.

At age 9, Whitlock’s parents noticed his potential while he swam in hotel pools. Soon after, he began competitive swimming at the age of 10. It quickly became evident that Whitlock had a natural talent.

His years of dedication paid off when he competed at the U.S. Olympic team trials in Indianapolis. There, he secured second place in the men’s 800-meter freestyle, trailing closely behind Bobby Finke, a world-champion Olympian. This achievement earned Whitlock a spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics, making him one of the youngest male swimmers to qualify since Michael Phelps in 2000.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in much,” Whitlock shares. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. Every swimmer’s dream is to go to the Olympics. You don’t always fully believe in yourself, but I think this last year I’ve really started to believe in myself.”

This shift largely came after Whitlock’s performance at the 2023 World Aquatics Junior Championships in Netanya, Israel, where he dropped six seconds in only two months. “That’s when I really started thinking, ‘OK, this could actually become a reality,’” he says.

Training and preparation have been key to Whitlock’s success. He dedicates around 20 hours a week to swimming and participates in intense training camps around the world. Despite facing challenges like sprained ankles and extended periods away from home, Whitlock has remained resilient. However, he says “sometimes, mentally, it can get hard.”

Fortunately, being surrounded by his fellow athletes makes it easier. “I’m really grateful to have people around me that are doing the same things,” he says. “It makes it a lot easier to get through tough workouts if you have others doing it with you.”

Whitlock looks forward to having this camaraderie at the University of Florida, where he will be attending this fall.

Whitlock feels the hardest part is behind him, a sentiment echoed by older Olympians.

“Everyone is older than me and has gone through the Olympics, and they all say the trials are the most mentally demanding,” he says. “[The U.S.] is the most competitive country, and trying to get on the team is really mentally challenging. Once you get to the Olympics, I think most people know that they can get the same time or faster just by tweaking little things. You can relax.”

Looking ahead to the Paris Olympics, Whitlock has set his sights on making the swimming final. “If I can make the final and get top eight, I think that will be huge, just to get that experience racing in an Olympic final,” he says. “Who knows? Anything can happen.”

Whitlock offers advice to young athletes dreaming of Olympic glory. “For swimming, and probably every sport, a lot of it is mental,” he says, “It’s a really tough sport. You’ve got to be tough inside the pool but also outside of the pool. You just have to believe in yourself, and know that you can do it. Just trust that the work you’re putting in is going to pay off.”

While traveling the world in preparation for his competition in Paris, Whitlock appreciates the support from his hometown of Noblesville. “All the support is really nice, he says. “I love that, and it’s motivating to me too. It reminds me that everything I’m doing is paying off.”

With his community behind him and his sights set on the Paris Olympics, Luke Whitlock is poised to represent Team U.S.A. with admirable determination.