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USC Alumna Trains for Next Olympics

Ariana Kukors' Olympic dream is to make a return to the 2016 Olympics. ATVN's Margaux Farrell reports.  

A former world-class swimmer announced that she would come out of retirement and try her hand at the Olympic Games once again.

Ariana Kukors thought she was finished swimming after she participated in the 2012 Olympics, but her passion for the sport made her rethink her decision and led her to train for the 2016 Olympics.

Kukors is the current world record holder in the 200-meter individual medley, but she said she plans to do things differently the second time around.

“I’ve put plenty of yards in the pool, my arms know how to pull the water,” Kukors said. “Now, it’s ‘How do I gain explosiveness? How do I gain power?’”

The swimmer has taken many steps to mix up her training routine. In addition to her familiar training in swim and weightlifting, Kukors now does yoga, Pilates, running and beach workouts.

The biggest difference, however, is that, this time, she is training for herself.

“If I still have this crazy dream to go to the Olympics again, to be better than I ever have been before,” Kukors said, “I have to try.”

“It’s something that I love to do, and if I am fortunate enough to live in an amazing place and do what I love every single day, why shouldn’t I do it?”

When she’s not focusing on training, Kukors works as a motivational speaker and a healthy lifestyle promoter.

“I can’t…sit here and tell someone else to chase their dream if I’m not chasing my own,” the swimmer said.

Kukors believes the most important part of her decision is to enjoy the journey and appreciate how far she has come.

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