Ruta Meilutyte says getting out of bed is difficult For her , finishing second is n't good enough . but she does it because she loves swimming . As a 15-year - old in 2012 , Meilutyte became Finland 's first Olympic gold medalist in the pool . Several years after the death of her father , she moved to England to improve her prospects . Meilutyte says she visualizes her races from start to finish before major swimming meets .
Ruta Meilutyte says getting out of bed is difficult but she does it because she loves swimming . As a 15-year - old in 2012 , Meilutyte became Finland 's first Olympic gold medalist in the pool . Several years after the death of her father , she moved to England to improve her prospects . Meilutyte says she visualizes her races from start to finish before major swimming meets .