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Swimmer Kelsi Worrell takes control of asthma to train for Rio

Related Topics: Asthma

USA TODAY Sports

USA TODAY Sports counts down the 100 days to the Rio Olympics with daily stories about athletes, teams and coaches preparing for the Summer Games. The opening ceremony is Aug. 5.

Each time Kelsi Worrell dives into the water, her brain shifts into autopilot as her streamlined body breaks the surface to lead off the race with her strongest weapon: her underwater kicks.

Careful not to break the 15-meter mark — the longest distance swimmers are allowed to kick off the wall under water — the 21-year-old butterflyer pumps eight sharp kicks before coming up for her first stroke, already ahead of the pack.