#TuksSwimming: Ross taking 'baby steps" in the buildup to the 2024 Olympics

Posted on October 09, 2020

Andrew Ross knows how to swing a golf club, can hold a tune, but it is in the swimming pool he hopes to make it big.
 
The 19-year old Tuks swimmer is, however, realistic. It might still take a year or two before he can put a challenge to the world's best swimmers. He talks about "baby steps". 
 
His immediate goal is to in three weeks try and defend the 200m-backstroke title he won last year during the South African Short Course Championships (25m pool). 
 
Next year he hopes to represent South Africa at the World Student Games. To him, the ultimate would be if he is also in action at the World Short Course Championships. In 2022 he has his sights set on competing at the Commonwealth Games. All these galas are to him
"building blocks" as he prepares for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
 
"I still got a lot of work. In the pool, there is always something new you can 'fix' or that you can learn. I certainly need to swim faster times. To do so means I got to improve my start. More important is that I need to work on my back end speed in the 200m-backstroke as well as the 200m-freestyle events. I also need to 'bulk' up in the gym," explains Ross who last year qualified to represent South Africa at the World Junior Championships.
 
The Tuks swimmer is two metres tall and wears a size 14 shoe. Considering that the Olympic legends Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe are respectively 1.93m and 1.96m tall and wears size 14 and size 17 shoes, it can't be helped to wonder does size matter. 
 
"I guess it can be an advantage if you know how to make the most of it," is Ross's answer.
 
Putting in the long hard hours is nothing new to him. He has learned from the best. His sister is Marlies Ross, who has already represented South Africa at various international events. 
 
"She is unbelievable. Marlies is the one who inspires me not to ever forego on my dreams. During the lockdown, she motivated me to keep on training. It helps to share a house with someone who shares the same goals."
 
When it comes to role models, Ross has no hesitation in saying it is his dad, Andrew.
 
"My dad has been diagnosed with cancer, but he is not letting it get the better of him. He has hardly missed any of my galas. What I appreciate is how he has a way of saying the right thing at the right time to get me to perform at my best. I truly admire him." 
 
Playing golf is for a Ross a way to relax.
 
"If I had a bad day in the pool, there is nothing better than going to play golf. It helps me vent my frustration."
 
In jest, the Tuks swimmer said that he considers singing to be his hidden talent.
 
"My coach, Rocco Meiring, and I got a long-standing joke about forming a duet. It has not been decided who is going to play the triangle. 
 
"We might sing songs like "Another day in Paradise or Buffalo Soldier". We could even attempt to do Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. It is one of 'Coach's' favourites. His vocals on that song are fantastic."
 
 
- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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