Nervy wait didn’t ruffle my feathers
Ross Murdoch’s life changed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The former Balfron High pupil went from being a relative unknown to featuring on all the front pages when he beat favourite Michael Jameson to the 200m breastroke gold.
But he faced a wait to see if he had made Team GB after not quite achieving the time required at the British Swimming Championships last month.
In the 100m breaststroke event, Ross was edged out of the top spot by rival Adam Peaty, who finished in 58.41 seconds and the Stirling University swimmer finished third in the 100m.
However, the 22-year-old said he was always confident that he had done enough to be selected.
He said: “I was pretty sure I was going to be in the team. I wasn’t nervous over the days when we had to wait, it is just one of those things really.”
And Ross is confident he can again deliver on the big stage and added: “It is easy to think about medals. I try to keep to the processes though and that’s why I believe that I can deliver a good performance.
“I think about the things that I am not doing so great and the things that have come on leaps and bounds. You have got to plan right, get your head down and make sure that you learn from the trials.”
The swimmer is relishing the prospect of taking part in his first Olympic Games, and joining a squad packed with talent.
And he is quick to pay tribute to his close friends and family who support him through the good and bad days.
He said: “I wouldn’t be able to do anything without the support of the guys that keep me grounded.
“My best friend Andy has been there since we were 11 years old. From the West Dunbartonshire Pool, to the Commonwealth Games to the home European Championships and Olympic Games that are coming up, he has been there and that’s a big thing. The support from my family, friends and my girlfriend is so important and it’s great to get more support from them.”