He shared that he has been doing workouts at home. “Quarantine has been fine. I am trying to get creative with my workouts and I am trying to do something. It has been very peaceful for me in finding joy in my relationship with God. I’m happy,” he said. “I’ve spent six weeks in prayer and studying the Bible a lot more than I would have done previously. I am trying to inspire people and spread home right now. I’m trying to convey that message to people.”
Reid finished in second place in the men’s 200 meter backstroke at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Des Moines, Iowa. “That was fun. That was a really good meet for me,” he said.
He described the International Swimming League’s Solidarity program as a “blessing.” “It is all being figured out but honestly, they are looking for the future of the athletes,” he said.
Reid also opened up about the postponement of the Tokyo Olympic Games to 2021. “I am at peace with that decision,” he said. “What they did was very wise in terms of considering the health of the athletes, the host country, and all the countries going there.”
In January of 2020, he hosted a “Fitter and Faster” Swim Clinic in Canajoharie, New York. “I was the only clinician in Canajoharie, and I had 10 kids a session, and it went really well. I’ve been enjoying the ‘Fitter and Faster’ clinics. I love teaching kids and helping kids get better. The clinics have been fun and I get to see some wonderful parts of the United States,” he said.
In 2019, he competed in the inaugural International Swimming League (ISL) for the New York Breakers, where the complimented the camaraderie of the team. “I loved the camaraderie. Kudos to Tina Andrew, Peter Andrew, Shantel Davis, and Josh Davis for creating such a family-oriented environment. They were such good people and it was a great life experience,” he said. “I didn’t know a lot of athletes going on but a lot of us became friends afterward.”
Reid listed the backstroke as his personal favorite stroke in swimming, and lately, he likes practicing butterfly and freestyle. “I will be doing what’s available right now,” he said.
He offered his fans and followers the following inspirational words during the pandemic: “This is a good time to work on the fundamentals of our lives. We often have a big drive and a big engine but we don’t have a strong enough frame. Take this time to get a stronger and better frame so when the drive or the engine comes in, you have a strong enough frame to handle the stress.”
Reid defined the word success as “attaining significant personal goals in your life, whether they are big or small.” “Success is just meeting that mark that your heart has desired,” he said.
To learn more about South African swimmer Christopher Reid, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and check out his website.
