The University of Indianapolis swim team had two student athletes travel with their respective countries in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, according to UIndy Athletics. Cedric Buessing, a senior, competed for Germany in the 400-meter individual medley while Collins Saliboko, a sophomore, competed for Tanzania in the 100-meter freestyle. Buessing made it through the qualifying round and to finals, becoming the first Division II swimmer to make it to the finals at an Olympic event, according to UIndy Athletics. Buessing ended up finishing eighth in his final heat, according to the article. Saboko placed seventh in his preliminary heat, according to UIndy Athletics, placing him 71st overall among the world’s top swimmers.
After spending months practicing and training for different qualifiers, Buessing said he met his team in Berlin, Germany for training camp before heading to Paris. He said the team stayed in the Olympic Village and confirmed the beds were made of some sort of plastic, styrofoam material and were not comfortable.
While in Paris, Buessing said he participated in the Olympic culture including pin trading and supporting other athletes at various events. Buessing said the experience was unlike any other, and was interesting to be around so many people focused on the same goals.
“The atmosphere was the loudest meet I’ve ever experienced,” Buessing said. “I mean college meets are pretty loud too, especially conference or even nationals, but I’ve never experienced such a loud, long meet. It was pretty fun in the village you have all those free food options, everybody’s just there trying to relax in between their training sessions or competition sessions. It was kind of like a big training camp, everybody just trying to be there, stay in shape, have fun and experience it all. It was, I don’t want to say peaceful, but it was awesome.”
Buessing said that being amongst elite competition motivated him and his teammates. He said there is a shared sense of excitement of what is to come, especially since it will be his last season swimming at UIndy.
“I’m pretty excited to come back, hopefully in good form and shape, and just have a great last year of racing with my friends,” Buessing said. “Just taking it all in, having fun with college meets.”
Saliboko had a similar experience and also spent three weeks in the Olympic Village with the other athletes. He did note that while the beds were not the biggest issue he faced, the heat and lack of air conditioning did take a toll on some athletes, but coming from a hot country he felt comfortable enough most of the time. Saliboko noted the size of the village, saying there was a lot of walking in between areas to meet athletes to go to different arenas.
The village is holding different teams,” Saliboko said, “but you live in one village and really no one judges. You’re the same, you’re athletes and you’re there for one reason, to represent your country. And the cheering of each team was amazing.”
Tanzania also provided its athletes with pins for trading, but Saliboko said they quickly ran out with over 150 other countries and athletes all wanting to trade. Saliboko said the French crowd was unlike any other, and there were times when other events would get halted for everyone to watch French swimmer, Leon Marchand, compete in the pool. Saliboko said the experience only motivated him further, getting him excited for what is to come. He said he is planning on working hard over the next four years to make it back to the Olympics.
“The best way I can describe it is I have this ‘Olympic high’ that I just want to keep going now,” Saliboko said. “I just took my break right now and when I’m back, I’m just gonna go full gas, get better in the next four years.”
