3-time Paralympian inducted into Hall of Fame

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Legendary swimmer Erin Popovich has earned more than a dozen medals over her career, and now she's being inducted into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame.

"I was blessed, I had great coaches and great support staff," says Popovich.

Popovich is awfully humble for having 19 Paralympic medals to her name, 14 of which are gold.

"It kind of seems like a blur now of everything that occurred, but at the same time, it's just what we do and I think there's a different mindset of an athlete in order to accomplish what I did and to sustain it for as long as I did," says Popovich.

And because of that exceptional career, Popovich was nominated for the coveted Hall of Fame. In her eyes, just being a finalist was a big deal because many of the athletes she was up against were once her idols.

"These guys I watched and supported and cheered for and was in awe of their athletic career so to be recognized amongst them was a big honor.

While on vacation, Popovich received the good news that she was going to be inducted.

"We have a lot of depth here in the U.S. in terms of the accomplishments of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and for me, that's kind of what stood out more," Popovich said. "To be recognized and acknowledged among my peers and teammates and coaches is what really got me."

But her impressive resume doesn't stop here, she actually works for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympics Committee, helping the next generation of athletes.

"It is interesting and I hope I can bring my experience as an athlete to some of the decisions we make for the team now," says Popovich. "I know times have changed and things are different, but there's a lot to be said for what I did get to experience and so that's what makes it fun and challenging too because it isn't the same world it was ten years ago."

She's been on the other side of the water for 8 years and worked her way up. Popovich is now the associate director of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Swimming, and she loves giving back to the sport that gave her so much.

"To know you had a little part in their success whether it was as little as making sure their room was alright to rushing them through traffic to get them to the event on time," says Popovich. "It really is a true team behind the team to make Team USA work."