The 50 meters swimming pool where my childhood belonged always appeared in my mind. 

Once in my life time as swimming athlete is one of my important life lessons.

When my father decided that I should learn how to swim, it seemed like the end of the world for 7 years old girl. I had a bad feeling about all the swimming class I have to attend. Fear of drowning and all the bad things possible gradually crept in my tiny heart.

In the end, the brave side of me won. I gained a lot more confident after my body get used to water and float. Swimming lessons continued from exhaling underwater until kicking legs with kick board. 

I started to learn my first stroke - Free style. A girl who used to scare of drowning could be able to swim freely from that moment. Then I was able to swim the others like Backstroke, Breaststroke and the most difficult one - Butterfly.

Every pain reminded me that I got one great step into swimming. If I still frightened, I will never know such a fantastic sport like this. Learning how to swim was a huge challenge but you can't let the fear rake you down before you try to accomplish goals or learn new things.

I went to swimming pool every week for a new lesson and another tough test came. I had to learn how to dive off the staring block which is the most painful and difficult part of swimming. I can tell you that every children who learn swimming scared to learn this. Imagine jump off a cliff.

Even though it happened long time ago, I still remember the feeling when I was standing on the starting block. My first attempt ended up with pain literally, all over my stomach and legs that touched water in the wrong pose. My swimming goggle slipped off so both water and tears blurred my sight. I hate this part the most. 

The only thing that I had to do was jumping over and over again. Until I can be able to jump off beautifully without any fear like you can see the Olympians do.

When the children could swim skillfully, teacher moved us to the 5 meters deep pool which is the deepest swimming pool. One day my friend's goggle was shrunk into the bottom of this pool. 

Without thinking, I took a deep breath and dove to pick it up. My ears rang from changing pressure. But I overcome my limit and gave goggle back to my friend. That is one of the most proudest moment for that little girl. Sometimes you have to take risks to know your potential.

I practiced swimming in the beginner class until I was chosen to be an athlete. My new chapter of life began. Swimming gives me innumerable life lessons and one-of-a-kind experiences. It is not only gold medals or breaking new records that you will get, but also sportsmanship and friendship that make me warm every time I look back to those years.

My life as swimming athlete is one of the most beautiful moments.

Keep swimming.