Meet Olympic Athlete and Pet Parent, Christine Loukas

The Olympics begin today! To honor the occasion, we've set to profiling the world's top athletes who share a common cause: catering to the needs of their furry friends!

Today, we profile Christine Loukas, an Olympic diver getting set to compete in her second Games! While her love for diving and the water and the athletic skill and grace she possesses may trump most of our abilities, the love we have for our pets is equal. We had the chance to sit down with Christine as she gets set to compete in London to discuss what life outside of the Olympic limelight is like when she has her pets where they belong: by her side.

1. What kind of pets do you have?

I have a Black Lab named Kona. She’s a year and a half.

2. Tell us one of your fondest memories of your pets:

This isn’t the fondest, but it still makes me laugh. After I went out to dinner with my parents I came home to the carpet being pulled back four feet. And she had chewed up all the foam that was underneath it. There were bits of foam and carpet all over my apartment! That’s when she began her chewing phase. It’s also the day I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave Kona out of her cage anymore while I was out of the apartment.

3. Tell us: Do you train with your pet?

If I need to do cardio sometimes I’ll take her with me. She is a much better runner than me so she helps pull me along when I start to get tired!  She’s a great training partner.

4. Do you travel with your pet when you train or compete?

 I wish! Unfortunately I can’t travel with her. But she gets to stay at my coach’s house (Kenny Armstrong). His family takes care of her while I am away.

5. If your pet could compete in any Olympic sport, what would it be?

 If there was a food eating contest at the Olympics she would win hands down. For real. I have never seen any living thing eat as fast as her.