Olympic Swimmer Shanteau Awarded a Different Type of Gold

Having challenged adversity head-on at the height of his athletic career, Eric Shanteau was honored Monday night with USA Swimming’s Golden Goggle Perseverance Award. Shanteau earned his berth on the 2008 Olympic Team with a second place finish in the 200m breaststroke at the Olympic Trials. That celebration was tempered, however, when Shanteau revealed he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer just one week earlier. “It was surreal to experience such extremes of fear and joy all at once,” said Shanteau, of his cancer diagnosis and subsequent Olympic qualification. “I couldn’t imagine passing up my life-long Olympic dream, but of course I had to prioritize my health.” Fortunately for the 24-year-old swimming star, after multiple tests and under the close monitoring of his doctors, he was able to delay treatment and compete in the Summer Games. Shanteau swam a lifetime best of 2:10.10 in the 200m breaststroke and promptly returned home to Atlanta to face the challenge of surgery. After successful removal of the cancerous growth, he was finally able to fully celebrate his accomplishments. And although his Beijing performance fell just shy of qualifying him for the Olympic final and a shot at the gold, Shanteau could not help but feel victorious. “My family, my team, and my sponsors are a part of this Perserverence Award, and I thank them all for supporting me.” said a grateful Shanteau, following Monday night’s Golden Goggle banquet. “It’s an acknowledgement not just of my own perseverance, but of everyone out there battling cancer. It’s encouragement to them to fight the disease and not lose track of their dreams.” The USA Swimming Foundation Golden Goggle Perseverance Award is given to an athlete who comes back from from adversity, retirement, illness or injury to have an outstanding performance in 2008, with special emphasis on the 2008 Olympic Games.