Our New Favorite Swimmer and His Dad Share a Unique Pre-Race Ritual

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In a sea of inspiring Olympic stories, one stands out: the heartwarming tradition between Canadian swimmer Leo Thompson and his dad, Marco. Before every race, Leo flashes a cheeky middle finger, a gesture that might raise eyebrows among viewers. But before anyone jumps to conclusions about poor sportsmanship, it turns out he’s actually giving his dad the finger from the stands—a playful ritual that’s become their good luck charm.

When Leo was just a kid, he faced a tough time in swimming competitions, often feeling overshadowed by bigger rivals. His dad, Marco, stepped in with a clever way to boost his son’s confidence. “I told him, ‘Enough is enough,’” Marco recalls. “When you’re on those starting blocks, just block everything out and swim like you’re alone in the pool. He asked me how to do that, and I said, ‘Just say screw it!’ So, we exchanged the finger, and from that moment on, he started winning races like a champ.”

However, their ritual had to be reined in after an incident at junior nationals. Unbeknownst to Leo, a camera caught his one-finger salute aimed at the world. Following some backlash, Leo issued an apology, but they still maintain their pre-race tradition—now with a little twist. Once he’s behind the starting blocks, Leo opts for a classic “I’m just scratching my forehead” maneuver with his longest finger.

Releasing tension by flipping the bird might not be the most conventional approach, but sometimes, especially for those in the underdog position, you need to channel your inner strength and remind yourself that you can hold your own against the competition. Sometimes, that means looking your dad in the eye and saying, “To heck with them!” while he nods in agreement.

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In summary, Leo Thompson and Marco Condorelli have turned a quirky gesture into a powerful pre-race ritual that symbolizes confidence and camaraderie. Their story serves as a reminder that sometimes, a little humor can go a long way in overcoming challenges.