GOLD COAST 2018
Murdoch is preparing to let rip with his battle cry Down Under
ROSS MURDOCH’S approach to conquering the Commonwealth — again — is distinctly Scottish. If he is too nice a fellow, too innocent a soul, to merit comparison with Trainspotting anti-hero Francis Begbie, there is more than a touch of Caledonian aggression about his attitude.
The 24-year-old Balloch-born swimmer grinned as, under a blazing Australian sun, he declared: ‘I’m going to stand up on the block, regardless of what block that is, whether it’s in a heat or a final, I’ll look left and right — and give it: “Mon then!”
‘That’s what I’ve done in every race since I was eight years old, bar a few — but this time that’s what I’ll be doing. I’ve nothing to lose in this race. That’s exactly how I feel.’
As defending champion in the 200metres breaststroke — his opening-night victory over hot favourite Michael Jamieson provided one of the most exciting moments at Glasgow 2014 — Murdoch is widely tipped for gold on the first night of swimming here.
Having previously admitted that he considered quitting in the wake of a disappointing 2016 Olympics, the Team Scotland star has definitely rediscovered his edge.
He has also learned to relax and love racing again. To view each swim as its own challenge, rather than some life-or-death struggle in a gruelling campaign.
‘It’s as if you’ve got something to lose when you talk about defending a title,’ he explained.
‘Glasgow happened, but it’s history and no one can take it away from me. It’s not like boxing — you can’t get your belt taken off you in swimming.
‘I’m just going in to enjoy what I do. That’s been my big focus since Rio (in 2016). I’m doing it because I love racing.
‘I changed and I do regret it. All I was thinking about for a while was the time, the result.
‘Not: “How are you putting this race together? How does this bit feel? What did you do wrong in your heat that you can rectify for the final?”.
‘There was none of that. It was just about hit the time, hit the time. And I hated it. That was a rough period. I did that for a full year and it didn’t pay off.
‘It made me almost quit — so I won’t be doing that again.
‘I try not to put that pressure on myself — there’s enough of that from within. It’s about me trying to swim my best, without thinking about anything else.
‘The result will be what it is. I know I have worked hard. I constructed a performance last summer (fourth in the World Championships) that I was happy with.
‘Going into this year, I’ve done a lot of work on my physiology, my diet, my psychology. So whatever comes up on the board, I’ll deserve what I get.’
Adam Peaty is, at least on paper, a serious rival to Murdoch in the 200m, although the Scot suspects that the Englishman will concentrate on competing in the 100m, where he is virtually unbeatable.
‘Adam swam it (the 200) four years ago and came fourth. Since then, he’s done a 2:08.3, which would definitely push for gold,’ said Murdoch.
‘But the 100 breaststroke is a fight for silver. I can go well in that event. I’m more confident in it at the moment, although I don’t think I can go 57 seconds. If he goes anywhere near that time, he has the win.
‘He’s a second-and-a-half faster than anyone else in history. You have to be realistic when it comes to those facts.’
Murdoch is cutting a distinctly hirsute figure these days, sporting a beard that is close to being full hipster.
That will go before his first race on Thursday — as will almost every other hair on his body; swimmers love their shave-down for more than just the aerodynamic benefits.
‘I’ll be clean shaven and it will be likewise with the rest — arms, legs, the lot,’ he added.
‘That will help me sharpen up. You try to do the shave as close as you can to the race because it grows back so fast.
‘In terms of the feeling you get for it, I would rather have a full body shave than wear a swimsuit and hat.
‘I’d rather wear my training
hat, goggles and trunks — and have a shave — than have that suit.
‘It’s a finely tuned art these days, the shaving. You build up skills and speed. The first time must have taken me about three hours. It was embarrassing!
‘I was in my auntie’s bathroom in Kent and it took ages to get it done. I had cuts all over me. It was like a murder scene.’
Laughs and shaving mishaps aside, Murdoch has definitely matured since his baby face lit up the big screens on a magical night at Tollcross.
‘I’m a different person to four years ago,’ he said. ‘Probably because of the amount of growing up I’ve had to do over the past few years.
‘Back then, you don’t really care about much else. You don’t have any other responsibilities. Not that I have many now.
‘I’ve matured. I understand other people better than I used to. I maybe didn’t give credit to others or empathise with them as much as I do now.
‘I’m swimming for my own enjoyment and I get kicks from trying to put my race together.’