Grace Harvey discusses winning Paralympic gold in 100m breaststroke
Exclusive Interview with Paralympic Champion, Grace Harvey
We are thrilled to be joined by the talented Grace Harvey, the newly crowned Paralympic champion in the 100-meter breaststroke S5 category. Fresh from her victory, Grace shared her thoughts on her journey to the top of the podium and what makes her so passionate about the sport.
Sleeping with her Medal
When asked if she was sleeping with her medal, Grace revealed that she was initially unsure where to put it, but eventually settled on cradling it in her arms. "I was like, ‘What if I squish it?’ So, I was like, ‘I need to move this.’ And then I just kind of cradled it in the end," she said.
The Feeling of Victory
Grace described the feeling of winning as "amazing" and "a moment of bewilderment." "I executed my race to a T, and I knew the other girls were going to go out fast, but to touch it was… it was like, ‘Did I actually just do this?’ And it’s only kind of starting to sink in now, actually," she said.
From Struggling to Falling in Love
Grace revealed that she only started breaststroke in 2021 and that it was a gradual process. "Something happened in 2021, and it just suddenly was flying for me. There was this instantaneous switch, like I always trained BR, but I never really considered it as an individual event," she said.
The Secret to Her Success
When asked what she loved about breaststroke, Grace highlighted the unique challenges it presented. "I’m able to attune it to what I’m capable of doing, so the mainstream style of breaststroke is that you breathe on every stroke cycle. I don’t have a leg kick, so I tend to breathe on the breathing patterns every two or three strokes," she explained.
The Influence of Coach Gran Smith
Grace credited her coach, Gran Smith, with a pivotal moment in her journey. "He said something to me a few years ago that really stuck with me during that race. He always said, ‘You always could have been a silver, and he regretted that moment so much.’ And that had always stuck with me," she said.
The Power of Support
When asked about her experience in Paris, Grace praised the incredible support she had received. "I’ve had so many friends and family come out, and also messages from back home. People that I was in swimming club with, I went to school with, or just the general public enjoying the racing of the Paralympic Games," she said.
Looking Ahead to LA 2028
Finally, Grace shared her goals for the next Paralympic Games in LA 2028. "I’d love to swim a lifetime best performance. I love racing, and I’m someone that trains to race. I love the competitors, I love the fact that sport unites people together, and I also love pushing my limits and seeing what barriers I can break down," she said.
Congratulations to Grace Harvey on her well-deserved victory, and thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us!
