home country in the 2016 Olympics (100m butterfly) as
well as the 2017 and 2019 World Championships. He is a
7x All-American and 2x bronze medalist at the 2019 Pan-
American Games. He also qualified to represent Argentina
again in the 2020 Summer Olympics, which has been
postponed until July 2021.
“I like our sport because you decide how far you want
to go, how far you want to push yourself,” said Santi.
Unlike many sports, swimming affords some autonomy
during competition. “I can’t expect to be an Olympic
athlete if I don’t train like one,” he noted. Individual
precision training and goal-setting is imperative in a sport
where a half second makes all the difference in the world.
As a swim instructor, Santi hopes that swimmers
commit to their ambitious, long-term goals, while also
being present each step along the journey. The camps
he instructs are designed to offer up-and-coming
swimmers individualized instruction from his experienced
join the fun! The Vidalia Swim Team participates in GRPA and USS events and hosts an
102 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE
annual swim meet at the Vidalia Aquatics Center. Team members range in ages
from 5 to 18. To find out more contact the Vidalia Recreation Department.