(Instagram/ebeisel34)
23-year-old Elizabeth Beisel is one of the most promising young swimmers at the Olympics this summer. The Rhode Island native placed second in the 400m individual medley at the 2016 Olympic Trials, qualifying for her third Olympic team. But what’s her personal life like? Does the swimming star have a boyfriend? Is she dating? Single? Read on to find out.
As of July 2015, she was dating a man named Nick Alexiou, but the two haven’t appeared on one another’s social media accounts since last year. And while some people want her and her Olympic training partner, Ryan Lochte, to get together, Beisel has said that Lochte is one of her good friends and like a big brother to her. He’s also dating a Playboy model, so that may hinder their chances at love.
The 23-year-old was born in Saundertown, Rhode Island. Her mother, Joan, was a swimmer at the University of Rhode Island. Beisel competed as a swimmer beginning at age 12, and became a member of the US National swim team at just 13. From 2011 to 2014, Beisel swam for the University of Florida’s Florida Gators, as part of the NCAA (National College Athletic Association). Not only did she win the Southeastern Conference during her collegiate career, but she won the SEC Female Swimmer of the Year Award in 2012.
At 14, the Olympian competed at the World Championships. She placed twelfth in the 200-meter backstroke. At the Olympic Trials in 2008, she placed 2nd after Katie Hoff in the 400-m individual medley. She also placed second to Margaret Hoelzer. When she was 15, Elizabeth was the youngest swimmer at the Beijing Olympics. She received the best time in the 400-m medley, and placed fourth in the final.
Swimming isn’t her only talent– Beisel is a violin and piano player, too. She told The New York Times, “It was always a dream of mine to play in the Boston Pops and to do stuff like that. Maybe one day.” And it seems like that just may happen– Beisel is realistic about the fact that while her swimming career won’t span her entire life, she can play and learn music for many years to come. “The longevity of playing an instrument is your entire life. I always knew that if anything went wrong, I could go back to the violin or the piano. I have such a passion for the arts that not many people know about.”
This summer, Beisel will be competing in the women’s 400m individual medley.