Four-time Olympic medalist Peter Vanderkaay and seven-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard arrived on campus Sunday afternoon to speak to dozens of young athletes about their experiences with swimming as part of a week-long swimming camp on UT’s campus.

The former Olympic swimmers spoke for an hour in the Anderson Training Center, sharing anecdotes from their multiple Olympic experiences, offering advice to the aspiring athletes, and answering questions posed by many of the young swimmers in attendance.

Both Beard and Vanderkaay will stay on campus thoughout the week and interact with the campers.

“Amanda and I were both age group swimmers at one point,” Vanderkaay said, “so we know what it’s like to be in their shoes. I never personally had the chance to meet an Olympian, so I think it’s really cool to give that experience to young swimmers and to inspire them and let them know we started just like they did.”

The purpose of the camp is two-fold: Not only are the young athletes improving their technique, training their bodies, and spending time with the former Olympians, but they are also becoming acclimated to UT and the kind of facilities offered by an NCAA Division I school.

Jacqueline Fessel Millican, a former UT swimmer, said it was extremely important to have young athletes on campus.

“I know that I have some swimmers that are interested in the program, but because we are in New Orleans they don’t get to see or experience what Knoxville or Tennessee … has to offer. So I think this camp is important for them to see what else is out there.”