After a seven-year hiatus from national contention, four-time SA Olympian Roland Schoeman was thrilled to be back in the pool as he aims to put the disappointment of his last SA National Swimming Champs in 2016 behind him.
The excitement was palpable as Schoeman, at 42, donned his cap and goggles at the SA National Swimming Champs in Gqeberha.
The Newton Park Swimming Pool was the backdrop for his epic comeback on Friday as he hoped to book a spot for the World Aquatics Champs in Japan in July.
Schoeman will be competing in the 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly.
The three-time Olympic medallist and US-based real estate entrepreneur in Phoenix, Arizona, is the current SA record holder for the 50m freestyle.
“I fell out of love with swimming for a while,” Schoeman said.
“I think missing the Olympic team in 2016 was heartbreaking for me.”
It was on the back of this 2016 nationals campaign that Schoeman opted to focus on coaching.
He took charge as head coach of the Trinidad & Tobago Olympic swims team for the Rio Games.
Schoeman returned to action as an elite-level competitor at the 2019 Mare Nostrum Series in Barcelona, Spain.
“I had got to the point where I wanted to get back to things,” he said.
“But it went terribly for me at the Mare Nostrum. I just wasn’t happy with where I was.
“That led to a [further] two-year hiatus from swimming, where I didn’t want to touch the water at all.”
Since then, Schoeman has launched a mini resurgence, regularly participating in Masters meets in the US.
“It was more about finding myself, and that was part of the journey.
“When you start swimming as a youngster, you’re passionate and love it.
“But when you don’t have support but must make money, the pressures of the real world start sinking in.
“I couldn’t rely on SA sponsors or Sascoc [SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee] to support me. I was out of favour.”
However, working with former teammate turned coach Darian Townsend, with whom Schoeman captured the men’s 4×100m freestyle relay long course world record alongside Ryk Neethling and Lyndon Ferns at Athens 2004, his passion was reignited.
“Working with a coach, who is on deck all the time, and surrounded by a group of [well-meaning] people every day, [revived] the passion.
“It is then that it started getting back to 100%. And, now, I want to swim because I love it and enjoy it.
“I raced at a meet in Dallas [Texas] in December and swam the fastest I had since 2015.
“We didn’t expect that after only 12 weeks of training.”
Schoeman said gracing a national competition brimming with youthful talent, after having dived into his first 26 years ago in 1997, was special.
“It’s quite special for me — to feel the rush of nerves and excitement.
“As kids, we think nerves are bad ... to be back and feel that is so special.
“It’s cool to be here with the young guns and to see some veteran campaigners like Chad [Le Clos] and Tatjana [Schoenmaker], who is by no means a veteran, but certainly one for SA.”
Schoeman said he had not yet thought about retirement in the foreseeable future.
“I have never been one to subscribe to ‘conventional wisdom’. And that is because I have this talent.
“I eat well, sleep well, look after my body and do everything I can because one day I won’t be able to.
“I hope swimming at 42 can inspire other people in their 30s and 40s who think they are past their prime.
“If you believe and apply yourself daily, anything is possible.”
He said he would be thrilled to qualify for the World Champs later this year.
“I’ve done as much work as I could do. Whatever happens, happens.
“However, the goal will certainly be to qualify.”
Schoeman clocked a time of 1:01.73 in his preliminary round 100m freestyle swim on Friday morning ahead of the event finals on Friday evening.
He was yet to compete in the final before the time of going to print. The two 50m events are scheduled to take place at the weekend.
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