GOLD COAST, Australia, March 6. 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 weeks with a reinvigorated passion for success. Gold at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games kick-started a year of unparalleled success for the breaststroker, who won a world championship title in 2003 in the 50 breast.<\/p>\n
Disappointment at the 2004 Athens Olympics the following summer left the 26-year-old Loughborough University product re-evaluating his career but everything is now in place for Gibson to put the past behind him as he looks to defend his 50 breaststroke title at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n
"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.<\/p>\n
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."<\/p>\n
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, led 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.<\/p>\n
"These past two years have been so frustrating for me," he said. "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."<\/p>\n
Gibson will go into the Melbourne Games, which start on March 15, 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.<\/p>\n
"In Manchester I was the hot favorite to walk away with the gold but coming here, there are guys well ahead of me in the rankings,\u201d he said. \u201cI may be the reigning champion but teammates 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."<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
"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."<\/p>\n
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 toward him to advise and encourage.<\/p>\n
"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,\u201d Gibson said. \u201cI 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."<\/p>\n
Gibson knows the challenge faced by 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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
"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."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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