Hali Flickinger has never swum alone. Her family has always been by her side, cheering her on.
So when the 22-year-old competes in Rio De Janeiro for her first Olympic games, it’s no surprise her family will be in the stands cheering her on.
“It’s just really surreal. I think it won’t actually sink in until I get on that airplane [on Saturday],” said Dave Flickinger, Hali’s uncle.
Dave Flickinger is scheduled to hop on a plane to Brazil on Saturday to watch his niece compete in the 200-meter fly on Tuesday. Before he left, his Lenexa-based Kiewit employees had a surprise.
Hali Flickinger finished second in the 200 butterfly. This is her first time competing in the Olympics!@41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/VMX4MCpXNA
— Ariel Rothfield KSHB (@arothfield) August 5, 2016
Hundreds of employees dressed in red, white and blue. They chanted Hali’s name, held signs and made a video to wish her good luck.
“To get to the Olympics, I think takes a lot of team spirit and pride within yourself and to support your team and those around you, what a great honor for Hali,” said Penni Blank, a Kiewit employee.
Blank and most of Kiewit’s employees have never met the Olympic athlete. She’s not from Kansas City, but that is not stopping them from cheering her on.
“It was really neat to see all the people here come out to support Hali. Even though they have never met her, don’t know her, there’s a connection,” said Dave Flickinger.
Hali Flickinger of the United States competes in a final heat for the Women's 200 Meter Butterfly during Day Five of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 30, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Hali Flickinger swam for the University of Georgia. In Omaha, at the Olympic swimming trials, she made a splash coming in at second place for the 200-meter fly.
“I knew she was great but it never sank in until we were at the Olympic trials,” said Dave Flickinger. “This is a big deal, it’s huge.”
Hali Flickinger is scheduled to compete on Tuesday. This is her first time competing at the Olympics.
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Ariel Rothfield can be reached at Ariel.Rothfield@KSHB.com.
