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Zach Apple, two-time Olympic gold medalist, helps kick off new IndyCar season

13Sports director Dave Calabro caught up with former IU swimmer and two-time Olympic gold medalist Zach Apple at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

INDIANAPOLIS — Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Zach Apple spent time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday to help kick off the new NTT IndyCar Series season coming up on Sunday. 

13 Sports director Dave Calabro caught up with Apple to see what brought him to 16th and Georgetown on such a foggy day.

"We're here kicking off the start of the IndyCar season this weekend," Apple said. "I got to raise the IndyCar flag on top of the Pagoda. We're also celebrating 100 days out from the Olympic trials, too."

Apple won gold twice in the men's 4x100 meter freestyle and medley relays in Tokyo back in 2021. He spent his college swimming career mostly at Auburn before transferring to Indiana University for his senior year. 

Dave asked Apple what he thought about the upcoming Olympic trials set to begin in 100 days at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"It's gonna be amazing," Apple said. "They're building two pools inside Lucas Oil, it's gonna be one of the best shows in swimming history, and it's gonna be some of the best swimming you're gonna see around."

Credit: Indiana Sports Corp

Despite having retired from swimming, Apple said he plans to stick around for the trials later this year. 

"I'll definitely be around if you want to come up and say hi," Apple said. "I'm more than happy to sign some autographs, take some pictures or just chat."

Dave then asked Apple what it's like to be a two-time Olympic gold medalist. 

"It's pretty special," Apple said. "It's funny, you grow up watching these Olympians and having an idea of what they are, then you go through it, and I was able to accomplish it, and I'm just a guy — just someone trying my best at their job."

Apple said his favorite part of being an Olympic champion was returning to his hometown to see how proud everyone was of him.

To follow the flag’s adventures, use the hashtag #GreenFlagRelay on the IMS social media accounts.

It will be delivered to NBC Sports INDYCAR SERIES announcer Leigh Diffey in St. Petersburg for the Firestone Grand Prix on March 10.

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