Hey, did everyone see the wonderful new 20 Question Tuesday feature with Erik? Not only was I missing 20 Question Tuesday every week, but it was even sweeter to see that they reached out to Erik to resume the weekly feature.

Erik Vendt changed after the 2004 Olympic Games. He left swimming and went on a long vacation where he found out a lot about the world and a lot about himself. Vendt tells special correspondent Bob Schaller what he’s learned about himself, and just how he ended up back in the pool again in this week’s 20 Question Tuesday.

1. What is 9-11 like for you?
Erik: It has a weird personal side to it, because it’s my sister’s birthday. Also, it’s very personal because I have really good friends who are in the service, and I think about them on a day like today. I get emotional, but for a different reason than people think. My three good friends are serving. That’s what I am thinking about.

2. Being a New Englander, is the wound still fresh for you?
Erik: Five years down the line…that’s interesting. The freshness and horror of the moment was stuck in my mind for a while. Fortunately or unfortunately, it’s starting to go away a little with time, though I won’t forget what happened. But like I said, I have friends fighting in this war, so 9-11 does mean something extra.

Read more at USA Swimming and keep an eye out for the new SwimStars.org network site dedicated to Erik; opening this fall!