Ferns opted to stay in pool
2004-08-16 21:36
Johannesburg - Four years ago Lyndon Ferns was given a choice: keep on swimming or get out.
Ferns remained in the water, and on Sunday in Athens, he, Roland Schoeman, Ryk Neethling and Darian Townsend made history by winning the 4x100m free-style relay.
It is the first time that South African male swimmers take gold at an Olympic Games. And not only did they win - they also broke the world record.
The gold medal caused quite a commotion in Polokwane (Pietersburg), Ferns' home town. It was predicted as far as four years ago that he would make big waves in international pools.
Dougie Eagar, a famous swimming coach who was one of the first to teach Ferns to master the finer art of swimming, recalled on Monday that the first time he saw the young Ferns in action he knew the young man had it in him to make it internationally.
"Lyndon is just so talented, and nobody can teach him anything about dedication. During the three years I coached him, he never missed one practice session.
Planning commenced two years ago
"I'm not surprised about the fact that Lyndon and his team- mates won the gold medal. The planning for this victory commenced two years ago during the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England," Eagar said.
"Lyndon, Roland and Ryk already swam relays together at the time. It was Ryk who, after they took the silver medal, said there is no reason why they cannot take the gold in Athens. And since then they practised in all seriousness."
There is no prouder mom than Linda Hislop in Polokwane this week.
Hislop remembered how she drove from Marble Hall to Groblersdal, so her son could take swimming lessons when he was in grade one. It didn't take him long to distinguish himself in the pool, but his talents weren't limited to the water.
He played centre for the Under-16 A rugby team at Hoërskool Pietersburg, was an excellent batsman, 100m sprinter and high jumper. That's why Eagar intervened and put Ferns before an ultimatum. He decided to stay in the pool.