Misty Hyman previews 'Arizona Storytellers: Summer Olympics'

Misty Hyman, a Mesa-born swimmer and Stanford graduate, won gold in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2000 Sydney Games. She is one of the athletes participating in "Arizona Storytellers: Summer Olympics" July 19 at the Mesa Arts Center.

Describe what was going through your head in 2000 when you beat Susie O'Neill, the defending Olympic champion of the 200-meter butterfly.

"I knew that I had had the race of my life and I was pretty sure that I had beaten the Australians that were next to me. But you don't always know if there's someone in an outside lane that you maybe didn't see that could've beaten you. So when I looked up at the scoreboard, the scoreboard was already flashing 'American record,' 'Olympic record,' and so it was hard to tell between the record flashes to actually see the list of names and make sure that was really the one by my name."

RELATED: Join us for a night of stories from Olympians and the journalists who cover them

What was the reaction when you came back home to Phoenix?

"It was overwhelming. I really didn't have quite any idea how big of a deal it was until I came home, and it was really special to get to represent my country and my state and feel like everybody was a part of it."

Who was the first person you talked to — other than your coach — as soon as you won gold?

"My mom and dad were there in the stands, so as soon as we could — I had a press conference and everything like that — but when we finally saw each other of course we were all crying and I was just so happy. My dad said, 'I just knew you were going to do well.' He said, 'I think you were even smiling on the block.' "

Details: 6 p.m. check-in; stories from 7-9 p.m., July 19. Tickets $12 at tickets.azcentral.com; 602-444-8605.

MORE: Rio Olympics coverage from azcentral sports and USA TODAY Sports