Allison Schmitt, 31, locks in fourth Olympic berth at U.S. Swimming Trials: 'It's more than special' 

Ignoring the critics and shining a light on the importance of mental health, Allison Schmitt, 31, is headed to her fourth Olympic Games.

The veteran swimmer placed second behind Katie Ledecky in Wednesday night's women's 200m freestyle final at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for swimming, securing a trip to Tokyo next month for one of the most beloved member of the U.S. swim community.

Schmitt was at a loss for words at her accomplishment: "I don't really know what it means yet, I think it's still really fresh," she said of qualifying. "It's more than special to me right now. I'm so excited to go embrace those closest to me right now."

One well-known figure who had already embraced Schmitt pool side was 28-time Olympic medallist Michael Phelps, whom Schmitt has been close with throughout much of her career. And while she got a hug from Phelps, it was Ledecky who heaped praise on a swimmer affectionately known as "Schmitty."

"Her smile brings people to her. She's such a good friend to everyone," Ledecky said of the four-time Olympic gold medallist, champion in the 200m free at London 2012.

"No matter the outcome, she is someone who has put in the work and done it over so many years. Qualifying over four Olympics is incredible; it's no easy task. I can't wait to be in the ready room with her, be on a relay team with her. I'm thrilled for her."

Ignoring the critics - and speaking out

It was in London that Schmitt won three of her four gold medals, but she has eight Olympic podiums overall, and after nearly leaving the sport after Rio 2016 she's come back with a vengeance to make her fourth Olympic team.

"When I came back I had sights and goals as a part of the journey, so I can't put into words what this means," Schmitt said.

Some have said that her best was 2012 - and she'd never reach that level again. Schmitt, while also being public about her struggle with mental health and depression, has ignored those critics, finding her best in what she's called a "box of water."

"Age is just a number," Schmitt said. "There are a lot of naysayers about me being old, I've heard a lot things, that 2012 was my best. But to have another great swim in the 200m is a great honour."

"The successes I've had in the pool, the medals... those are going to fade," she added. "But at the end of the day, it's what you can do with that and I've embraced that platform. For me, it can be used for mental health. I'm very passionate about [it], but like I'm passionate about swimming."

No 100m free final: Disappointment for Nathan Adrian

Elsewhere in the evening, there was also disappointment, including for Olympic gold medallist Nathan Adrian who failed to qualify for the men's 100m freestyle final. He was 13th of 16 swimmers in the semis.

"There's no doubt that this is disappointing, but it's a lot different this year," Adrian said. "When I used to have bad practices that would be a bit of a dagger... but [now] I get to go home and give my wife and my baby a hug and a kiss. This is such an all-in sport. Unfortunately I wasn't able to stick two great swims out there. I don't know what happened."

Adrian has twice fought off testicular cancer since the 2016 Games. He still has a chance to make Tokyo 2020 in the men's 50m free.

But how does he feel playing a part in the modernisation of the sport over the last 15 years?

"It's awesome, it's awesome," he said. "Who would have guessed that 13 years ago I was this kid sneaking onto the relay team... To watch the evolution of American sprinting has been amazing."