At 33 years old, Satomi Suzuki has achieved a remarkable milestone: she’s made a comeback to the Olympic final. This comes 12 years after her outstanding performance at the London 2012 Games, where she won three medals: a silver in the 200m breaststroke, a bronze in the 100m breaststroke, and another bronze in the 4x100m medley relay. Suzuki’s comeback is not only significant for her own career but also for the history of Japanese swimming.
“I’m thrilled to have finally made it to the Olympic final,” Suzuki said in a flash interview with Japanese television after the semi-final.
“At last year’s World Championships, I reached the finals in the 50m and 100m events, but honestly, I didn’t expect to make it to the final in the 200m this time. I was truly excited when I saw my placement on the scoreboard.”
"Honestly, I didn’t expect to make it to the final in the 200m this time. I was truly excited when I saw my placement on the scoreboard.”
Suzuki's return is particularly noteworthy as she becomes the oldest Japanese swimmer to compete in the Olympic Games. Previously, Takeshi Matsuda, a four-time Olympic medalist, held the record as the oldest Japanese Olympian when he competed at the Rio 2016 Games at age 32. Suzuki’s achievement at this stage of her career adds a new chapter to Japan’s swimming history, showcasing the enduring spirit of an athlete who refuses to be sidelined by age.
Her journey since London 2012 has been one of perseverance and resilience. After her impressive performance in 2012, where she captured three medals, Suzuki faced a series of challenges. At the Rio 2016 Games, she was unable to advance past the semi-finals, while her elder teammate Rie Kaneto clinched gold in the 200m breaststroke. Furthermore, Suzuki failed to secure a spot on the Japanese team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a setback that could have marked the end of her Olympic aspirations.
However, Suzuki's story is one of determination and a refusal to give up. She made a remarkable comeback last year at the World Championships in her hometown of Fukuoka, where she clocked her personal best in the 100m breaststroke for the first time in 14 years. Though she finished 8th in the final, the performance reinvigorated her and solidified her resolve to make it back to the Olympic stage.
Tadahiko Kanda, who has been coaching Suzuki for 15 years since her time at Yamanashi Gakuin University, told Japanese media in an interview before the Paris 2024 Games: “After the Olympic trials for the Tokyo 2020 Games concluded, I learned that she wanted to continue. I felt that there were still things left unfinished on my end as well. If the athlete is determined to keep going, I thought, 'There’s still potential to pursue.’”
The paths to Paris 2024 for the veteran swimmers were, however, far from straightforward. The Japanese Olympic Trials were particularly challenging, with many experienced swimmers struggling to meet the stringent qualification standards set by the Japan Swimming Federation. Backstroke legend Ryosuke Irie and fellow Olympian Kanako Watanabe, who had previously won the World Championship in the women’s 200m breaststroke at Kazan 2015, both faced disappointment and subsequently announced their retirements after missing out on the national team.
Despite the struggles faced by other veteran swimmers at the Trials, Suzuki secured her place for Paris 2024. She improved her personal best in the 100m breaststroke, breaking the record she set last year in Fukuoka and entering the 1:05 range for the first time in her career. Additionally, she swam the 200m breaststroke in 2:23.09, becoming the only swimmer to meet the national federation’s standard time. Her performance was a testament to her enduring skill and determination, earning her a spot on the Olympic team against considerable odds.
Now, as Suzuki is ready to swim for the women’s 200m breaststroke final, her focus is set on making a mark from lane 8, the outermost lane often associated with underdog victories. While her ultimate goal is to surpass her personal best and seek a spot on the podium, she is also eager to enjoy the experience and atmosphere of competing in an Olympic final once more. Determined to surprise the world with her performance, she is focused on making a significant impact.
In the lead-up to Paris 2024, Suzuki’s story has become an inspiration to many. Her journey reflects the essence of an Olympic athlete's spirit—resilience in the face of adversity, an unwavering commitment to the sport, and the courage to compete at the highest level despite the passage of time.
“I’m extremely happy to be back in the Olympic final after 12 years. I was nervous during the semi-final and am not quite sure how it went. But I’ll try to enjoy the experience and focus on my own swimming in the final,” Suzuki said after the semi-final.
“I aim to achieve a time that is at least faster than what I did at the trials. I also hope to set a new personal best and give it my all in the final.”
As the oldest competitor in the race, her return to the final is not just a personal achievement but a celebration of the enduring passion and strength of one of Japan’s most cherished athletes.