Kareena Lee's initial foray into competitive swimming started at the Noosa Swimming Club under the guidance of coach John Rodgers. Her dedication to the sport has been evident since she began focusing on swimming training at 17. She has continually improved with each competition.

Challenges and Injuries

Throughout her career, Lee has faced several challenges. In January 2018, she suffered a right knee injury that required a brace but returned to competition three weeks later. In 2015, she broke a rib during a World Cup event in China and collapsed due to asthma, dehydration, and hypothermia at the World Championships in Kazan.

Achievements and Recognition

Despite these setbacks, Lee's achievements are noteworthy. She became the first Australian to win a medal in open water swimming at the Olympics, securing bronze in the women's 10km event at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Additionally, she was named an Honouree of the Australian Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2020/21 and was Swimming Australia's Open Water Swimmer of the Year in 2018 and 2019.

Philosophy and Other Interests

Kareena Lee lives by the motto, "When someone says you can't do it, do it twice and take a picture." Her hobbies include reading and shopping. Besides open water swimming, she has also competed in pool swimming at the national level in Australia.

Future Plans

Lee graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in primary education. She plans to pursue a career as a teacher after retiring from swimming. She discovered her passion for teaching while helping out at her swim club and doing learn-to-swim teaching.

Kareena Lee's journey from surf lifesaving to becoming an Olympic medallist is inspiring. Her resilience through injuries and setbacks showcases her dedication to the sport. As she looks forward to a future in teaching, her story continues to inspire many young athletes.