2x Olympic Medalist Cody Miller Sets Aside World Record Ambitions To Achieve Personal Best

At the 2023 US Open preliminaries, Cody Miller, a decorated 2016 Olympic medalist, showcased an impressive performance in the 200m breaststroke, highlighting a resurgence in form. With a swift time of 2:09.80, he claimed the top seed, marking it as the 5th fastest performance of his career and his swiftest since 2019.

Notably, his personal best of 2:08.98, achieved during the 2019 Pro Swim Series in Bloomington, remains a testament to his prowess. However, amidst this resurgence, Miller hints at new aspirations, hinting at a shift in focus as he looks ahead to Paris 2024, suggesting intriguing developments on the horizon.

The insider scoop on his path to personal excellence

Just hours ago, Cody Miller, 32, took to Instagram to share an intriguing post, featuring himself in a captivating reel. In this post, he divulged his nuanced approach to competition, emphasizing a shift away from chasing world records towards pursuing personal excellence. Miller disclosed his ambitious goal of achieving his lifetime best time in the 200m breaststroke event at 32 years old during the Olympic trials.

Currently holding a lifetime best of 2:08.9, he analyzed his previous performance, acknowledging a critical flaw in his pacing strategy during the race. Reflecting on a challenging split of 34.5 seconds in the fourth 50 meters, Miller recognized the need for a more strategic approach, aiming to improve his closing split to 33.5 seconds or better.

By doing so, he aims to break into the elusive 2:07 range, viewing the journey to the Olympic trials next summer as an opportunity to realize his full potential and redefine his limits. He captioned it as “Cody’s thoughts on the 200.” However, behind his swimming triumph Miller has much more to say.

Cody Miller’s journey with pectus excavatum

Cody Miller stands out from the stereotypical image of an Olympic swimmer. At 1.80 meters tall, the Montana native appears notably different from his towering, crew-cut counterparts. He is facing a significant challenge as he competes with a reduced lung capacity due to a condition known as pectus excavatum. Despite this obstacle, Miller has defied expectations and excelled in the pool. Reflecting on his journey, Miller candidly shared his experiences, acknowledging the body-confidence issues that accompanied his condition.

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From social anxiety to self-consciousness, Miller navigated through challenges, ultimately embracing his unique physique and finding confidence in his abilities. As he continues to inspire young athletes and share his story, Miller exemplifies determination and the importance of self-acceptance in the pursuit of athletic excellence.

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