CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nick Brunelli has spent the last eight years pursuing his Olympic dream. In just a few weeks, his hard work and determination will be tested at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.
There's only one way Brunelli will make the Olympic team in an individual event--he'll have to come in first or second in Omaha.
Brunelli hopes to qualify in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle events.
He's no stranger to the Olympic Trials. In 2004, Brunelli came in third in the 50-freestyle, narrowly missing his opportunity to go the games.
In that moment, I remember looking up and I'm in lane two. I remember looking up and seeing a two and the first thing I thought was 'I made the Olympic Team.' But I was third, he told NewsChannel 36 during a break from training with SwimMac Carolina Wednesday night.
Third, on any other day in any other individual sport would mean a medal, but not at the Olympic Trials. At the trials, third is a miss.
I broke down in tears, said Brunelli. It's a learning experience. I've done so much and I can't throw it away. I've lived through that moment and I've moved on and continued to progress.
Brunelli would try again in 2008. But again, he would fall short by just one spot.
I remember in 2008 stepping up to the blocks and feeling the pressure, he said. Brunelli had a bad turn in his 100-freestyle event and, again, narrowly missed making the relay team for the Beijing games.
If I didn't have that moment, maybe I wouldn't be here today, he said.
Brunelli's story could be one of the greatest stories in perseverance going into the 2012 Olympic trials.
I look at this as another opportunity, he said. I'm not going to feel that pressure anymore.
At 30 years old, and training with Dave Marsh and SwimMac Carolina, Brunelli is convinced he has what it takes to make the team in June at the Olympic Trials in Omaha. He is stronger and his workouts more intense, he said. And this time, he is undaunted by the stress of the Olympic Trials.
There's no stress whatsoever, he said. I'm doing this because I love it.
Brunelli is also married now. His wife Jennifer swam at the University of South Carolina and is a sports nutritionist. In addition to helping her husband with his diet, she also advises athletes at N.C. State University and runs a separate business called Sports R.D. Pro. She has improved her husband's diet in hopes that better nutrition will give him the edge at the trials. The couple is expecting twins in October.
I can't wait to get to that moment and see what I have, Brunelli said. I really look forward to the Olympic Trials and the Olympic games, but I have something far more exciting after.
