GIBSON SET TO PUT PAST BEHIND HIM
Former World Champion James Gibson aims to banish the past
two years of his swimming career when he steps into the Commonwealth
arena in less than two week's time with a reinvigorated passion
for success.
Gold at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games kick-started
a year of unparalleled success for the breaststroke sprinter
and this culminated in a World Championship title in 2003.
Disappointment at the 2004 Athens Olympics the following
summer left the 26-year-old Loughborough University re-evaluating
his career but everything is now in place for Gibson to put
the past behind him as he looks to defend his 50m Breaststroke
title at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
"I've had a turbulent two years since the disappointment
of Athens," said Gibson. "I haven't been at the
top of my game and haven't achieved what I should but I plan
to change that.
Speaking from the England squad's preparation camp on the
Gold Coast in Australia, Gibson said: "I haven't been
this excited about being involved in swimming before. Personally
I feel in great shape and it's so stimulating being part of
a team of such talented athletes.
"Coming to such a fantastic place and swimming in front
of such a passionate crowd, which holds the sport as the nation's
number one, is the chance of a lifetime for me and I intend
to make the most of it."
If Gibson hasn't achieved his aims at major meets over the
past two years it hasn't been down to his preparation. His
work has been exceptional but the results haven't followed.
This, inevitably, lead to a reassessment of himself, his
methods and his goals but he believes all is in place now
to capture his best form once more.
"These past two years have been so frustrating for me,"
he explained. "My training both in and out of the water
has been better than ever but I've not been able to tap into
that when it comes to lining up in a major event.
"I haven't been able to call on that great foundation
in the big race and that has been a real problem for me. I
know the work's been done and it's time I put in a really
big performance.
"I don't want to put pressure on myself but I know I
need to step up to replicate the kind of form I showed when
I became World Champion in 2003."
Gibson will go into the Melbourne Games, which start on 15th
March, with designs on both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke
events.
It's a completely different scenario for the swimmer, who
originally hails from Essex, as current rankings don't place
him within the medals - a far different story from four years
ago.
"In Manchester I was the hot favourite to walk away
with the gold but coming here, there are guys well ahead of
me in the rankings. I may be the reigning champion but team
mates such as Chris Cooke (City of Newcastle), Darren Mew
(University of Bath) and South Africa's Roland Schoeman are
all up there ahead of me.
"From my perspective they've got the medals to lose.
I'll be going there to try to win medals while those guys
will be trying not to lose them. I won't be giving them an
inch in any race."
At 26-years-old Gibson certainly isn't the youngest athlete
in the breaststroke events but in no way does he feel he has
passed his best.
Last year's World Championships saw Mark Warnecke at 35 years
of age win the 50m Breaststroke. And whereas the example set
by the German is a little extreme there are other breaststroke
sprinters showing longevity within the events.
"I'm 26 now but the guys at the top of the world are
staying in the sport longer," said Gibson. "It keeps
me confident and optimistic. I'm certainly not past it but
I need to find that sweet spot again to get that fast swim
out of my body."
Gibson's age as well as experience have seen him assume a
leadership role within the English squad on their preparation
camp with many of the younger athletes looking towards him
to advise and encourage.
"My position in the team is one of a senior, experienced
athlete that's had a large amount of success in the past but
for me that's all it is, it's in the past and I need to change
that.
"I want to use all of my experience of swimming major
meets, competing in major finals and of winning, to pass on
to the younger swimmers in the group. I need for that to rub
off on them.
"The time is right for the younger guys to step up to
the plate to take over from the likes of Sarah Price, Steve
Parry, James Hickman, Karen Pickering. I'll take a lot from
the fact I may help achieve that by passing on my knowledge."
Gibson knows the challenge faced buy the English squad is
immense when going against a world beating Australian team
with the added benefit of a host nation behind them.
Add to this the re-emergence of South Africa, Canada and
New Zealand as well as strong challenges from Scotland and
Wales and it's sure to be one of the most competitive Commonwealth
Games witnessed.
Gibson's confident, however, the hunger and commitment shown
by the relatively inexperienced English squad will reap the
rewards.
For the younger members of the team Gibson has advised they
use the same motivation tactics he'll employ when facing the
noisy Melbourne crowd in just over 10 days time.
"To stand up against the Australians in their own backyard
will be a real test," said Gibson. "I will be using
the images of Martin Johnson lifting the Rugby World Cup and
Michael Vaughan lifting the Ashes to spur me on and I'll advise
others to do likewise.
"I remember those occasions well, I recall what it felt
like watching those English teams celebrate and hopefully
those memories will lift me as I try to follow in their footsteps."
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