Radio-Television-Film Olympian dives into film
When Olympic swimmer Erica Sullivan isn’t training in the pool, she swaps her swim cap for a director’s hat. As a radio-television-film junior, she said being a part of Moody College of Communication’s film program and the Texas Swimming and Diving team allows her to pursue the best of both her passions at The University of Texas at Austin.
Sullivan joined the U.S. National Swim Team at 16. Following her high school graduation, she spent the next few years focused on her Olympic training, participating in competitions such as the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Sullivan’s childhood dream of swimming at the Olympics felt within her reach.
Just months before starting at UT in 2021, Sullivan was in Tokyo competing at the 2020 Olympic Games — often considered one of the highest stages in the swim world — where she earned a silver medal in the 1500-meter freestyle.
Sullivan said the sport continues to provide her with a sense of peace. Although swimming tends to be an individual sport, the Texas team has given her with a sense of community. She doesn’t swim for bright lights or fame.
“Since starting college athletics, adding a whole team dynamic has made swimming become my safe haven,” Sullivan said.
