(VIDEO) Santo Condorelli Taunts Joseph Schooling
University of Southern California and Canadian swimmer Santo Condorelli has always been known to be a little rough around the edges. As a matter of fact, when he was eight years-old he started a pre race ritual where he would give his dad the middle finger in the stands -- his dad would give it right back.
Condorelli, who was always smaller compared to his peers, was intimidated by his competitors when he would step up on the blocks. This was his dad's solution to build his confidence and redirect his focus.
"[He said] 'You've got to build your confidence yourself and say eff everybody else that you're racing,'" Condorelli told The Canadian Press. "He said, 'Every time you're behind the blocks, give me the finger and I'll give it back to you.'"
Strange and controversial gesture for certain; however, it seems to work. Condorelli finished in fourth place in the 100m freestyle (47.88) at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio -- just 0.03 away from the bronze medal and 0.30 away from gold.
He also swam for the Bolles School with none other than Joseph Schooling and Caeleb Dressel. In the video above, Condorelli playfully fires some shots towards his buddy Schooling about the 100m butterfly.
Condorelli will not be competing in this summer's FINA World Championships because he did not compete in the Canadian Trials back in April. He allegedly swam with cracked ribs at the 2017 NCAA Championships just two weeks prior where he finished 19th in the 50 free (19.25) and 5th in the 100 free (41.77).
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