Olympics: Jarod Hatch had a short but meaningful run

Filipino-American Jarod Hatch is out of medal contention after falling short for a semifinals slot in the men’s 100-meter butterfly at Paris La Defense Arena for the 2024 Summer Games. 

In lane 8 of Heat 2, Hatch finished the first 50-meters with a time of 25.27 seconds, and the 100-meter race with a time of 54.66 seconds acquiring 8th place. This gave him a 36th-overall rank, and only the top 16 advanced to the semifinals. 

Jarod Hatch originally retired from the sport in 2021 due to mental and physical exhaustion. The athlete was burnt out from the cycle of swimming, saying he did nothing else but go to school and swim throughout his life. “I make sure to get my education and swim but other than that, I literally did nothing else,” Hatch said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas 2 Sports. 

He also shared about how he had no other interest besides swimming which eventually led to him spiraling, and coming to a decision of retiring. “Just being able to step away from swimming and figure out who I was outside of the pool was necessary.”

Being able to look from the outside, watching swimming meets, he wondered whether he’s still able to do what he used to excel in. He went back into swimming just to stay in shape, but later on received a call from Former Philippine swimming president Lani Velasco in hopes of persuading Hatch to get back into competitive swimming–specifically to represent the Philippines in the Olympics. 

When the opportunity to become an Olympian knocked on his door, his initial reaction was to turn it down. The feeling of exhaustion from the competitive scene of the sport never left Jarod’s mind, but he also caught himself in deep thoughts about the offer, leading him to ask God for a sign. The following day, Velasco called him again, and he finally said yes and returned. 

His debut appearance may have been cut short, but the 25-year old is still grateful for the opportunity. “I’m happy to represent the Philippines. I gave [it] my all, it just wasn’t there today,” he said in an interview with One Sports after his match. He admits that he has been struggling with his swimming career, and is definitely facing his toughest season yet.

It’s still unknown whether the UC Berkeley standout will come back to retirement or continue his career, saying he wants to process everything that has happened first. In his interview with Radyo Pilipinas 2 Sports before the Olympics, he also said that he wants to take one day at a time, and finds it difficult to move forward when he sets multiple expectations on himself.

However, Hatch is thankful of the experience as well as the relationships he built, which he believes contributes to his happiest moment yet. “I always talk about the positives. It’s not the time I wanted but the relationships I made, the people I’ve met. This is the happiest I’ve been.” 

Although his Olympics run has been cut short, it is a fact that being an Olympian is still an achievement Jarod Hatch will carry forever.