Swimmer competes for Team USA

Kathy Sullivan probably had no idea what was in store for her 3-month-old baby Michelle when she put her in the bath tub for the first time.

She just knew the little one loved the water.

"She just connected to it," Kathy said. "When I first put her in the water she would make these weird sounds."

That first moment in the water was a harbinger of things to come for Michelle.

She started swim lessons at the YMCA as a young child. When she was 9, the Downers Grove girl born with Down syndrome started competing in the Special Olympics through the Southeast Association of Parks and Recreation.

Now 23, Michelle is traveling to Shanghai, China, this week as part of Team USA to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Michelle is the only swimmer from Illinois to qualify for the meet to be held Oct. 2-11. More than 7,500 athletes from 165 countries will compete in 24 sports.

"It's exciting," said Michelle. "I'm so happy that I'm going to go."

Alice Novotny, an aqua trainer at Edward Health and Fitness Center in Woodridge, has worked with Michelle since the spring. She calls her a "natural" in the water.

"There are people that when they get in the water, they just have the natural feel for the water and know how to propel themselves," Novotny said. "Michelle has that natural ability in the water."

That must have been apparent going back to her first meet at age 9, when she won a gold medal in the backstroke. Michelle will be competing in the 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle and the 4x100 medley relay in China.

She also has competed with snowshoes and in golf with SEASPAR. But there is little doubt where her first love is.

"It's important to her," Kathy said, "and it's always been important to us."

Michelle practiced with SEASPAR during its season. Her commitment hasn't flinched in the past few months. She is at the pool training with Novotny on Tuesdays and Thursdays and goes by herself other days.

Novotny recently has introduced core work to Michelle's regimen outside the pool to strengthen her upper body.

"It's really hard to keep yourself motivated," Novotny said, "but she just has that inner drive. I ask her to work hard, and she just does it."

That dedication doesn't stop when Michelle leaves practice.

She adheres to a strict low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Just ask her dad, whom Michelle routinely scolds at the supermarket.

"She says 'Dad doesn't know how to buy groceries, he doesn't read the labels,' " Kathy said smiling.

"I tell my dad, 'No junk food,' " Michelle added.

Michelle also is committed to getting to bed by 10:30 p.m. to get plenty of rest. Even if it means missing the last few innings of her beloved White Sox games. (But she checks the final score first thing the next morning.)

"She has given up and sacrificed quite a bit," Novotny said. "She has worked unbelievably hard. She really wants to be successful in China."