Schoeman seeks more Olympic glory

The Olympic dream is still burning brightly for former world-record holder Roland Schoeman as he eyes his fifth appearance.

The Olympic dream is still burning brightly for former world-record holder Roland Schoeman as he eyes his fifth appearance.

Published Nov 24, 2015

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The Olympic dream is still burning brightly for former world-record holder Roland Schoeman as he eyes his fifth appearance, at the Rio 2016 Games.

The 35-year-old veteran of the pool is not merely aiming to be a passenger at next year’s global showpiece but even nurtures hope of a final podium finish.

“When you make it into the final anything is possible, Florent Manaudou proved in 2012 that you can be in an outside lane and win a gold medal,” Schoeman said.

“In reality when you make it into a final you are in as a good position as the other guys; if you have a good start and a solid breakout anything can happen on the day.

“It is just about preparation and the opportunity meeting that preparation, and who knows maybe I get a top three or maybe not.”

With three medals at Athens 20014, the United States-based Schoeman is one of the country’s most decorated swimmers.

He now needs to post the Olympic qualifying mark of 22.27 seconds at next year’s national gala and Olympic trials.

With a personal best time of 21.67 seconds, Schoeman is confident he will meet the mark to book his place for the quadrennial showpiece.

“It’s a time I’ve done many times before, so it is nothing new to me. My personal best is 21.67s, which is over half a second faster than the qualifying standard, so it shouldn’t be an issue,” he said.

Schoeman, a member of the “awesome foursome” that won the gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2004 Athens Games in world-record time, said he would be available should South Africa need him in a quartet next year.

“We’ve been doing a bit of training for the 100m and it is something I have to speak to Jonty (Skinner), my coach about and see if it fits into the programme,” he said.

“The relay has traditionally been an important thing for South Africa so it is not something I am discounting at this point in time. We have some good young talent coming up, so who knows they might not even need me.”

The swimming veteran has turned to crowd-funding to realise his Olympic dream as he aims to raise $10 000 by mid-December.

So far he had raised $3 450 while South African golf legend Ernie Els and Frank Abagnale of “Catch me if you Can” fame have also pledged to make contributions.

“I am trying to lock up some funding and sponsorships heading into Rio next year,” Schoeman said.

I have about 28 days left and I am almost halfway there while I have a charity event in the States on the 5th of December with Frank Abagnale and I know they have pledged some money and Ernie Els has pledged some money too.

“It hasn’t happened yet but ideally we will be close if not higher than the amount.” - The Star

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