JAMIESON’S LAST LENGTHS?
Olympic silver medallist could call it quits after Scottish big two flop at Tollcross
AT a venue which means so much to Scotland’s most prominent swimming heroes of the two big home games, both men cut distraught figures after being beaten out of the Olympic qualifying places in their specialist 200 metres breaststroke at the British Swimming Championships last night.
Ross Murdoch, who made his name in the Tollcross pool at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games two years ago, described himself as “absolutely devastated” after coming third behind Craig Benson, his Stirling University teammate, who almost certainly earned his place on the Olympic team by finishing second in a time of 2.09.07 to Bath University’s Andrew Willis (2.08.08).
That finish was still two better, however, than Michael Jamieson, the London Olympics silver medallist who grew up swimming at Tollcross and the 27-year-old gave every indication afterwards that he has swum his last race.
“I wasn’t really in it,” the Glaswegian admitted.
“When time passes, that might make it almost easier to accept. The last couple of years have been horrible but I wasn’t even in it.
“I’ve had so many issues in and out of the pool but I always thought I’d get back to my best. I’ve done those times so many times, but I don’t know if it’s there any more. It’s a long time to be convincing yourself that everything’s all right but that will be it, I think.
“Right now it’s hard to process. If you’d told me four years ago that I wouldn’t have even been in the frame for the worlds last year and I wouldn’t have made the Olympic team I wouldn’t have believed you. I’ve not been able to pull myself out of it so I’m so far off my best it’s hard to get my head round it.”
Even as Jamieson seemed to be signing off, however, he offered a reminder of his class as an individual in congratulating those who have overtaken him since he gave British swimming its biggest London highlight.
“The other guys have done great and I’m delighted for Craig because he’s been on the fringes,” he said.
“It’s a world-class field, it really, really is and if you’re not 100% on your game and ready to drop best times, faster than you’ve ever gone, you might not make the plane and Willis has been so consistent he’s not had the credit he’s deserved over the years.”
The ambassadorial example Jamieson has set was followed by Murdoch as he overcame his own disappointment to pay tribute to his compatriot.
“He’s the one who proved to me that Scottish people can get medals at the Olympic Games,” said the 22-year-old.
“I watched him in London. That’s what made me want to make this my profession. Michael’s time in sport has been invaluable for me and I couldn’t have asked for someone better to follow because he’s a hard-working guy.”
Murdoch was, however, clearly shocked by his own performance which leaves him dependent on his second place in the 100-metre event earlier in the week for his place in Rio. “I’m absolutely devastated,” he said. “I feel in the shape of my life and I put in a decent performance in the 100 earlier in the week.
“I thought this would be the night where I shook off all my woes from last season but such is life.
“It’s the nature of sport, but it’s bittersweet. I’ve seen my team-mate Craig Benson put himself in a great position to get on the Olympic team so I’m delighted for him, but I’m disappointed in myself.”
Benson, meanwhile, took enormous satisfaction from having seized his chance and suggested he had benefited from so much attention being paid to his Scottish rivals.
“I always seem to perform when it counts,” he said. “I’ve had some rough times and I’ve not qualified for a GB senior team since London, but whenever it comes to the performance like the trials or the main meetings in the summer I’ve always performed.
“I felt like I was in a really good position going into this. These guys are under a lot of pressure with a lot of people, not just from the media but from the guys higher up in British Swimming, expecting them to do well and before the race I was thinking, ‘Man I’m nervous, but I know there will be a lot more pressure on the favourites’.”