“How many people would have thought that Waterborn would have had two guys in the final of the 200 free at the Olympics? I know of three for sure – me, Dom and you! Congrats Pete. It’s a tribute to your awesome coaching abilities and what an amazing person you are! I am so proud to represent you and Waterborn.” – Jean Basson in an sms text to Peter between semi-finals and finals at the Beijing Olympics.
Peter has responded in the Waterborn monthly newsletter:
It’s a privilege to have watched an Olympic Games in its entirety.
During South Africa’s sports isolation we were fortunate to watch any international events. My coach was Scottish and sourced BBC recordings of the Olympics which we would watch many months later (though always after training and maybe if the water temperature dipped below
10º C).
In 1988 as a World Record Holder I hoped to see my name on the Seoul Olympic events programme. However, a last minute protest by the United States had Tom Jager’s name reinstated in the programme (South Africa was not an official member of FINA). I chose not to watch and instead applied pent up energy into training that week.
In 1992 South Africa’s last minute (you have no idea) readmission allowed me to participate in the first international competition of my athletic career. In order to stay focused on my event, I spent my time and creative thoughts in Barcelona’s art museums rather than get caught up in the catastrophe that was taking place in the South African residence in the Olympic Village (some of our relays and individual entries had been omitted). I had a great time in the best city in the world and was proud of my performance despite not having trained much during the last 3 years prior to Barcelona (I had stopped swimming owing to injuries and insufficient means or motive to continue training).
I missed the 1996 Atlanta Olympics despite having achieved the qualifying time. I was unfairly victimized for publically criticizing Swimming South Africa and N.O.C.S.A.. I was subsequently victimized by being unlawfully banned from competitions during my build-up to Olympic Trials owing to an article I had written commenting on the pedantic Olympic support programme. While many of my friends from all over the world were competing, I treated myself to a trans-continental road trip cruise across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, the Pacific North West and Alaska. Treat yourself to something similar at least once in your lifetime…..
By 1997 I was coaching and promised myself to not watch any international swimming event until one of my swimmers was participating. Sydney 2000 was a yawn since my training programme had not yet produced a qualifier (can anyone tell me something interesting about Australia?). Besides I lived in a commune with mates at the time and nothing could have distracted us from fun!!!
By 2004 Waterborn’s 8-year plans had kicked in. Dominic Meichtry became the training programme’s first Olympian. The good-natured Swiss and generous Meichtry family treated coach and athlete to 3 months in Europe before the Olympics. Dom and I enjoyed a unique life opportunity to share a special period of our lives together. I travelled to Athens solo where Dom achieved a semi-final in the 200m Free. Happily I saw the S.A. 4 x 100m freestyle World-Record and Olympic gold performance, after having humorously argued with the American relay coach shortly beforehand that they stood no chance against South Africa. Not to be outdone though, or underdone, I celebrated in fine style at the Zurich Love Parade with 1.5 million other highly spirited folk.
The 2008 Olympic games however had me glued to the television, albeit at 4 a.m.
The Beijing Olympics has been the most significant international swimming event in history. The quality of athletes participating, depth in performance, World and Olympic Records and of course Michael Phelps’ superhuman effort have left the international swimming fraternity agasp; with good reason. The sport of swimming has experienced a watershed event. Never again will a swimmer be internationally competitive purely because of physical talent. Swimming has been a late arrival in the world of professional sport but has announced its arrival in an unprecedented and mind-blowing style.
South Africans (athletes and the general populace) have finally realized what a monstrous event the Olympic Games is.
And amidst all the melodrama of the past few weeks two extremely calm and collected, well prepared and well-rehearsed young Waterborn 200m freestylers cooley went about their races with the maturity of past gold-medalist world record holders. Dom and Jean have quietly become the 7th and 8th fastest 200m freestyle performers of all-time.
You may be excited by an All-Black / South African encounter or some other sporting event. Fortunately I realized early in my coaching life that watching one’s protégé’s outperform themselves, at whatever level of competition, is the biggest thrill.
So, despite numerous debates in the public arena about malcontent amongst administrators, coaches and athletes, inadequate financial resources, mismanagement, false confidence, under preparedness and disorganization, Waterborn’s two undersized 200m freestyle specialists maintained their focus throughout and sensibly managed their emotional intensity with the good sense Waterborn and their respective families have instilled in their competitive psyche.
By consistently applying great technique, developing a healthy self-esteem and positive attitude towards overcoming life’s obstacles, rehearsing superior race-strategy and following a well-planned, structured scientific based training programme you can upset the world’s best, and ultimately outperform yourself.
Nothing beats positive life-force……it costs nothing, and everything you put into sustaining it makes you stronger and wiser for the next life challenge.
Jean and Dom choose to believe in themselves. They have each overcome immeasurable odds to achieve international status as specialist free “stylers”. In the crazy world of competitive chaos they have created order and understanding. As their coach and friend I am humbled by their conviction and faith in the Waterborn process.
Life has affirmed the relationship between the three of us. We share an unbreakable bond. Jean and Dom have helped me complete one of life’s circles. Thank you!
With kindest regards
PETER WILLIAMS
Director of Coaching
Waterborn Swimming
Former World Record Holder
Former Swiss Olympic Coach
Former S.A. Coach
