Twelve years have passed since the London Olympics, where she won three medals. Satomi Suzuki (33), a female breaststroke swimmer from MIKIHOUSE, will compete in the Paris Olympics as the oldest swimmer in Japanese history. Behind her is the support of her trainer, whom she regards as “like an older brother.”

At the Olympic qualifying tournament held in March, she won the 100m breaststroke with a personal best. She also won the 200m breaststroke, earning a ticket to Paris. Since then, she has been training hard at her alma mater, Yamanashi Gakuin University.

The swimming club has its head coach, Tadahiko Kanda (65), who has been his constant coach.

“If the coach is like a father, then he’s like an older brother to me.”

Suzuki has confidence in…