More Than Medals: Lilly King’s Real Legacy

There are some pools you never forget. For me, that’s the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis. I’ve raced here more times than I can count—and this meet was one for the books.

This meet was both electric and a little bittersweet: it marked the last time Lilly King—Olympic champion, world record holder, Indiana native—would race in this legendary pool.

Lilly’s been a force of nature in the swimming world, and watching her dominate the pool yet again reminded me why she’s one of the all-time greats.

We’ve trained side-by-side for over a decade.

10 years.

That’s a lot of yards, laughs and races.

And while Lilly’s resume speaks volumes—25 world medals, finger wags, bold interviews—her legacy is something deeper.

👑 Lilly King: More Than Medals

Lilly King is walking away with one of the most decorated breaststroke careers in history—Olympic gold, world records, 25 world championship medals. But that’s just the surface.

What really made her special was everything the stats don’t show.

Lilly brought fire to the sport. She never played it safe. She ruffled feathers, spoke her mind, and didn’t apologize for it. And in a world that often rewards playing it cool, Lilly made things fun.

But more than that, she made the people around her better.

Whether it was practice sets at 6 a.m. or standing behind the blocks at Nationals, she showed up with energy, grit, and this contagious sense of purpose. She worked hard, lifted others up, and made the grind actually enjoyable.

There’s this old saying: “Never meet your heroes—they’ll probably let you down.”

But Lilly King? She’s the exception. What you saw on camera was exactly who she was off-camera. Real, consistent, loyal. The kind of teammate you wish you could have for one more season.

We’ll miss her on deck, no doubt. But her impact isn’t going anywhere.

👋 Until Next Time

Here’s the final takeaway I hope sticks with you:

Surround yourself with people who challenge you, lift you up, and make every lap more fun.

That’s what Lilly has been for me. And as she heads into retirement after Worlds, I’m just grateful I got to share the lane with her for all these years.

Thanks for following along, and for always supporting the sport we love.

– Cody

Until my next newsletter, I will see you all - later