LEONIE BECK

NATIONALITY German
HOMETOWN Würzburg
DATE OF BIRTH 27/05/1997
DISCIPLINE 10km open water
CLUB/COLLEGE SV Würzburg 05
COACH Fabrizio Antonelli
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“Think positive, be kind, work hard”

BIOGRAPHY

Leonie Beck is hoping that Paris 2024 can serve as inspiration as she is the current most successful German woman in open water and can write history. Beck will be among the favourites for the women’s title when the marathon swimming gets underway in the River Seine in August.

It will be her third Games after she made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016 where she competed in the 800m freestyle before finishing fifth in open water five years later in Tokyo.

She has won European and world titles in open water, including the 5k and 10k double at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka with victory in the longer race sealing qualification for the 2024 Olympics.

The Games in the French capital start less than a fortnight after the conclusion of the continental football championships, Euro 2024, which take place in Beck’s native Germany. Now she is optimistic that the Games in the French capital can have a broader impact as Olympic sports command the spotlight.

“I think the Games will be very different to Rio and Tokyo but for me Paris will be really special because as a European it’s fantastic to have an Olympic Games here, just an hour’s flight away from Germany,” Beck told European Aquatics.

“I also think it will be good for countries like Germany to get more people interested in different sports. We all know that football is ‘number one’ in most countries but this will be an opportunity for swimming, athletics, fencing and many other sports.”

“I hope in particular that those in Germany see what’s happening and want to get involved themselves.”

GENERAL QUICK FACTS

Favorite sportsperson or team (other than swimming)
NBA champion Steph Curry
Favorite vacation spot and why
Australia, because I have never been there but only heard good things about it
Public person you admire
Steph Curry - to talk about sports with him
Favorite book(s)/author(s)
Right now the autobiography of Reinhold Würth, the German art collector and businessman
Favorite artist or work of art
British street artist Banksy
Items you’d want on a desert island
Sunscreen, swim googles and a good book
If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?
Apparently Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, because I did a test right now on the internet
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Flying
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
‘Working hard, being kind and thinking positive – a potential way to success’
What you’d like to do in your life after swimming
Help other people and share my experience

SWIMMING QUICK FACTS

Proudest moment in swimming
Twice winning the World Championships
Least favorite part of swimming
Cold water
Funniest moment in swimming
Sharing funny moments with teammates in every session is what makes training so much more fun
Favorite/least favorite training set and why
Sprint training with relays, because it’s a very fun alternative to the long daily endurance training sessions. Least favourite are endurance sessions like 8km fast in one set, because it’s really hard for the mind
Favorite Race/Training suits and why
Arena Women’s Powerskin R-Evo+ Open Water Suit - Challenge back, because they last a really long time
Best piece of equipment and why
The swim cap, because it’s necessary for long hair
Favorite Food after training
Chocolate milk
Most annoying type of swimmer
Touching feet during training or competition
Favorite Pool in the world and why
Olympic Swimming Stadium at the Foro Italico in Rome, because of its beautiful and unique atmosphere and scenery

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2023 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, FUKUOKA
GOLD 5Km Open Water
GOLD 10Km Open Water
2022 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUDAPEST
GOLD Team Event Open Water
SILVER 10Km Open Water
2022 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, ROME
GOLD 10Km Open Water
2020 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUDAPEST
SILVER Team Event Open Water
2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, GWANGJU
BRONZE 5Km Open Water
2018 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, GLASGOW
SILVER 5Km Open Water
SILVER Team Event Open Water

INSIDE LEONIE’S BAG

Team Swim Top Solid
Powerskin R-Evo+ Open Water
Powerfin Pro II
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