Swann
Oberson was ready to quit swimming, but not before she gave it one last shot to qualify for
the 2012 London Olympics. 

At the 2011 World Swimming Championships, Swann did qualify for the Olympics and established herself as one of the dark horses
to stand tall on the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim podium on August 9th
2012 in Hyde Park.  But that swim of her lifetime in the 10K where she
placed 9th was just a precursor to her heroic gold-medal performance
in the 5K. 

Barreling down the final straightway, sandwiched between two
rivals, banging and going stroke for stroke, Swann’s decade-long dream came
true.  When three swimmers with their heads down, simultaneously shot
their hands up to smack the touch pad, it was a classic
photo-finish.   Several tense moments later, Swann exploded with
tangible elation for claiming Switzerland’s first world championship victory in
the open water.  For her commitment to the sport and belief in herself,
Swann
Oberson’s 5K world championship victory is a worthy nominee for the 2011
World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year.