Peplowski girls ready for trip to Olympics to cheer on older sister

METAMORA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — It’s gradually setting in for Ella Peplowski.

Her family is leaving soon to go to the Olympics where her older sister Anna will swim for Team USA.

“It’s really cool. Honestly, it doesn’t seem real,” Ella Peplowski said. “My sister is an Olympian now. She’s worked very hard. It’s cool to be part of it as her sister.”

Ella and Ava Peplowski are swimmers at Metamora High School. Ella is a junior, Ava is heading into her freshman season with the Redbirds.

They will put their summer swim seasons on hold to go to Summer Games. This process started last fall when they applied for passports hoping their older sister would make the Paris Olympics.

They had to keep it a secret from Anna.

“We kind of decided to get them, just in case. We did it (quietly) so it didn’t get her nervous,” said Ava Peplowski. “We got the passports and we’re ready.”

They are packing red, white and blue gear to cheer for Team USA. They say the entire seven-member Peplowski family is ready for it.

And for some European sightseeing.

“We’re hoping to go to London and then see what it’s like to be in France,” Ava Peplowski said.

Ella agrees.

“I definitely want to see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum,” said Ella Peplowski. “It’ll be fun to have our whole family there for a family vacation.”

This trip is about cheering on their sister, trying new foods and sightseeing. But the Peplowski’s admit they hope this trip to the Olympics will also help them be better swimmers.

“I can improve myself by watching,” said Ella Peplowski. “It’ll be cool to see the best swimmers in the world all together.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.