Olympic Swimmer Elizabeth Beisel Is Also a Classical Music Maven

Elizabeth Beisel is an Olympic swimmer currently competing for the United States at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. What most don't realize about Elizabeth, however, is that she is also a classical violinist and ardent appreciator of the classical arts.

In a feature at the New York Times, Beisel's love for classical music and performance while competing in swimming at the highest level was highlighted. Prior to becoming an Olympian at only 15 years old in 2008, she played the violin and piano. She compared the quick duration of a sporting career to that of a professional musician:

"The longevity of playing an instrument is your entire life," Beisel said, adding, "I always knew that if anything went wrong, I could go back to the violin or the piano. I have such a passion for the arts that not many people know about."

Beisel, born in Rhode Island, started on the violin at age 3 and began playing piano at 5. Years later, she would win both silver and bronze medals at the 2012 games. Quite obviously, the capable performer could have excelled at either swimming or music, eventually setting on a profession in the former.

After a recent swimming injury resulting in a broken finger, Beisel experienced some doubt regarding her chosen vocation. However, as she now states in an interview at the official USA Swimming website, she relishes in her opportunity to compete and values her time at the Olympics:

"This past year, I have done a lot of soul searching, and I have continued to enjoy swimming because I came to realize that I am one of the luckiest people on the planet," she said. "I realized that swimming was an opportunity and not an obligation, and that I am getting paid to stay in shape and spend time with my best friends and do the sport I have loved my entire life."

Below, watch a USA Swimming interview with Beisel.

We want to hear from you. Let us know what you think of Elizabeth Beisel's swimming and instrumental performance talents in the comments section below.

TagsElizabeth Beisel, Classical Music, Olympic Games Rio 2016, Olympics