Chapter 167: Olympic Trials (1)
The Olympic Trials.
For most athletes, that phrase alone was enough to make their stomach tighten.
Because what did it really an?
It ant recognition.
It ant you were strong enough to stand in the sa room as the best in the country — even if you didn’t qualify for the Olympics. It ant your na carried weight. It ant you weren’t average.
And for the swimrs... the competition was brutal.
Across all events, more than 900 athletes had gathered here, each chasing the sa dream.
For many, this would be their first and last Olympic Trial — age, injuries, life — everything was catching up to them. So had one chance left. So had waited eight years for this mont.
Inside the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the massive NFL arena had been transford. A temporary 50m Olympic pool shimred under the lights. Caras flashed everywhere. Families filled the seats. You could almost taste the tension in the air.
For the 50m freestyle alone, nearly 100 swimrs had registered.
But only two would go to the Olympics.
The format was simple, but unforgiving:
Heats: Top 16 fastest tis move on.
Semifinals: 16 swimrs beco 8.
Finals: Only 2 qualify for the Olympics.
Dog eat dog.
No second chances.
No excuses.
---
Dayo inhaled slowly, taking everything in.
The sound of footsteps. The sll of chlorine. The buzz of nervous athletes stretching and whispering to themselves.
His eyes scanned around casually — or at least that’s what it looked like.
In reality, he was using Talent Vision.
Everywhere he looked, small translucent panels flashed briefly:
B
Talent
A Talent
A- Talent
A Talent
He kept walking.
Then—
S
Talent
S
Talent
His brow lifted slightly.
As expected of the United States... the talent pool here is insane.
Just in his imdiate area alone, he counted two S
talents, several A’s, and many B s. And this was only the 50m event.
He didn’t feel intimidated.
If anything, he felt more alive.
But he noticed sothing so of the athletes had temporary stat like he checked.
One of them had a potential of C
and he had achieved his potential but by the side it showed in bracket
Greg will
Talent Rating: B
Current Level: B
-(A ) temporary
Condition: Slight Decline Beginning
Factor: using enhancent.
Dayo was shocked when he saw the Factor but he knew this happened but seeing it himself was another thing he just hoped they were caught on ti so as not to sabotage the national team.
Two races today. The semifinals and finals tomorrow.
That was the plan.
—
When Dayo reached his designated area, the crowd erupted instantly.
"JD!!!"
"JD THE CHAMPION!"
"JD SWIM!"
"JD SWIM!"
"JD SWIM!"
The sound rolled through the stadium.
Dayo placed a hand over his chest and made a small knightly bow. The screams grew louder. He smiled and waved before heading to the blocks.
A few swimrs from previous ets approached him.
"Haha JD, take it easy on us oh. Last ti I didn’t even see your back."
"Yeah bro, don’t embarrass us today!"
Dayo laughed. "I’ll try not to."
Their good energy ward him a bit. He expected so resentnt — after all, he was the newcor stealing a spot — but maybe because he treated people well, the relationship felt surprisingly friendly.
He wasn’t obsessed with being loved... but who didn’t like a good atmosphere?
Soon the referee signaled.
Everyone stepped onto their lanes.
The stadium quieted.
The beeping sound ca.
GO.
Dayo dove in instantly.
The water wrapped around him, cold and sharp. The field moved together at first, almost equal. At 25m, still tight.
At 30m, Dayo’s strokes sharpened — a natural instinct, almost like gears shifting on their own.
He surged forward.
He didn’t go full force — just enough.
Touch.
Beep.
He looked up.
21.89
A clean ti. He smiled, pulling himself out of the pool as the crowd cheered.
He shook hands with everyone, congratulating those who passed, encouraging those who didn’t.
As he stepped aside to grab his towel, a swimr jogged up to him.
"Bro, my little boy is your biggest fan. If I don’t get your autograph, he might chase
out of the house."
Dayo chuckled. "No wahala. Walk with
— my hand is still wet. I’ll give you a signed album and rch. I still have so."
The man — Sam — blinked.
He didn’t expect that.
Most celebrities said things for show.
But Dayo ant it.
"Ahh... thanks man."
They walked together — and just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Yo! Dayo! Or should I say JD?"
Evan Blake grinned as he walked toward them.
"Haha Evan. Either one works. I’m doing good. Just finished my race." Dayo smiled.
"Yeah, I saw it," Evan said, eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you holding back?"
Dayo smirked. "Does it matter?"
Sam laughed. "Leave him, Evan. This one is secretive."
Evan bumped fists with Sam. "How far, bro?"
"All good. Good luck on your race."
"Thanks. Anyway Dayo, see you. I’ll expect you in the finals."
Evan waved and left.
Dayo watched him go.
Then an idea flashed.
Let
check him...
He activated Talent Vision.
[Talent Vision Activated]
Target Acquired: Evan Blake
Age: 27
Talent Rating: S-
Current Level: A
Potential Reach: S-
Condition: Slight Decline Beginning
Age Factor: Approaching peak limit and injury.
Dayo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He expected S
or SS based on how talented Evan looked... but instead he found sothing more surprising:
Evan was an S- talent, but he had stopped just one step below his true potential.
And from the slight downward curve, Dayo could tell:
Evan would soon start declining.
Age was already catching up and he had injury ah no wonder
Which ant...
Even with higher talent than most swimrs at the Trials, Evan might never reach the full peak nature intended for him.
No wonder he fights so hard, Dayo thought.
So people peak early... others peak late. But Evan... Evan is one of the unlucky ones.
And with the look of things this would be his last Olympic.
Still — Dayo respected him more.
He closed the panel gently.
Sam noticed his expression.
"Why are you looking at him like that?"
Dayo blinked, smiled casually.
"Nothing. Just admiring him. Evan is really working hard."
Sam snorted. "Yeah, unlike so people."
Both of them made eye contact.
They didn’t need to ntion the na.
Alex.
Speaking of Alex... Dayo glanced around slowly.
No sign of him. Not in the warm-up pool. Not near the stretching area. Not even in the changing lane.
He frowned slightly.
I’ll check his Talent later. Wherever he is.
For now, Dayo focused on the next race.
And the next step toward the Olympics.
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