by Max Howell
All eyes will be on the youngster this afternoon to see if he makes an attempt at the world record. His rise to swimming fame has been the most spectacular in recent memory.
The Sydney Tech flyer, according to the experts, evokes comparison with Australia’s greats of the past. A record crowd is expected to see this new sensation at Empire Pool.
“Well,” said Moxley, “did they give you a good write-up? Your old man told me the other day you are pretty hot stuff.”
Mark listened in disbelief. He did not know his father ever talked about him to others. “Yes, Moxley, they spelled my name right.”
He tucked the paper under his arm and walked home, happy with the world. He started to laugh to himself as he recalled stories his father had told him about Moxley. Moxley was reputed to be quite wealthy. He apparently lived with his mother and saved all his money, and did not bet or drink. He never loaned money to anyone, and his money kept accumulating. He could not be considered mean, but he was certainly careful with his money. Every now and again he would have an epileptic fit, right at the corner where he was working. He always had enough sense, according to Mark’s father, to hold his money purse in his hands with a tight grip as he fell to the ground with his seizure. No one was going to get Moxley’s money.
One day, as he was on the ground, spasms taking over his body, he released his grip on his purse as he passed out. Mark’s Dad took all the notes from his wallet and surrounded Moxley with them. When Moxley came to he saw all his money around him and promptly had another fit. Mark always enjoyed his father telling that story.
Mark went back home and lay down to rest his legs for the afternoon’s finals, had a light meal and then met Faith and Frank to go to the pool.
The only surprise when he arrived was his coach telling him to forget the tumble turn in the final. “It is faster,” Terry said, “you and I know that, but if you miss your touch you can be disqualified. We cannot take that risk. Let us win the State Championship so you will be selected to compete in the national Championships.”
Mark felt an element of disappointment, for he sensed he could get a world’s record, but he also agreed with Terry’s logic that a disqualification would ruin his chances for a place in the national championships.
The final was anti-climactic, and Mark improved on his best time by one-tenth of a second. He was now only a fraction away from swimming the event faster than any other athlete had ever done in the world.
Before he left to go home, his coach pulled him aside. “Well, Mark, congratulations. You are the new State champion and the Australian record holder. The Australian Championships are next week. I want you to get your mind set. All week we will practice tumble turns. We will aim for the world’s record in the final, not the heat. It is a bit of a gamble, but if it comes off you will have all the world talking about you. We will take it easy in the heat, and try for the world’s record in the final. Are you ready for it? You have to get your turn to perfection this week. To-morrow, have a rest. Then Monday through Wednesday, twice-a-week work-outs and your exercises. We are going for the big one.”
“I will be ready, Mr Somerville.”
“And another thing. Forget the Mr Somerville. I have never let any other swimmer call me by my first name. But you are different and we are a team. So it is Terry from now on, Terry. Okay?”
“Yes, Terry,” said Mark, though he felt a little uncomfortable with the familiarity.
“There is something I have been meaning to tell you, Mark, now I can see you have got the goods. You are like my son to me, and I feel a responsibility for your future. What do you plan to do after your Leaving Certificate?”
“I thought I would like to teach. There is a new course starting up at Sydney Teachers’ College in physical education, and I think I would like that. I would like to teach other kids the value of the physical, and what it can do their lives.”
“That sounds great, Mark, but I am going to have to ask you to postpone it.”
“What do you mean, Terry?”
“Mark, next year is the Olympic year. I do not want you to work or go to College next year. I want you to concentrate on swimming.”
“But it is not fair to Mum and Dad.”
“I have already spoken to them, and they have said they will put up with you at home until the Olympics are over. You see, Mark, the State and Australian championships are on early, and then if you get selected to the Olympic team you have to go away for training for three months, and then there are the Games. Even if you did go to College you would have a tough time keeping up with your academic work.”
“Gee, I do not know, Terry. I just hate to miss a whole year.”
“Mark, give me a chance to finish. If you can ever make the Olympic final I figure you will be able to get an American scholarship. I have a few contacts over there and I will be writing them.”
“What does that mean, Terry?”
“It means you will be able to do what you could not do here. You would have all your expenses paid as you go through University as long as you swim for that University. From what I hear, they are miles ahead in physical education and coaching. You will also travel, and it can turn out to be the greatest experience of your life. You can do anything with your life if you go over there.”
“But it will mean I would be away from Australia for four years!”
“That is right, but it will be worth every minute of it. How do you feel about the idea?”
“It sounds fantastic, Terry. I have always wanted to travel, and I have always admired the Yanks. I have looked at some of their coaching books. There is Bob Kiphuth at Yale, John Marshall went there, and you gave me his exercises to do and I read a lot of Thomas Cureton’s research on swimming. He was at Springfield College, but I think he is now at the University of Illinois.”
“There are lots of places to study and swim at the same time, Mark. Stanford, U.C.L.A. and U.S.C. are others, as well as Berkeley, Michigan and Ohio State. We will worry about all that next year.”
“It sounds marvellous, Terry,” Mark said, his future suddenly opening up for him. Many of these things he had dreamed about, but he had not thought possible.
“The only reason I am telling you now,” said Terry, “is that none of this will happen unless we make our goal, and that is to make at least the Olympic final. So you can see what is hanging on every hurdle from now on.”
“I certainly do. I will try twice as hard.”
“You do not have to do that. Just have a rest to-morrow, and be ready for Monday’s tumble turns. You will be able to do them in your sleep before we are through.”
He hurried over to Frank and Faith to tell them what Terry had said. “You beaut, Mark, you bloody beaut,” laughed Frank, hitting him on the back. “Always wanted to know a Yank. Better start winning a few of these races, mate.”
“It … it sounds great, Mark. It … it would be marvellous for you,” said Faith, but she could scarcely hold back the tears. She knew what it meant to Mark, but she was frightened that it would signal the end of their relationship.
When Mark saw the expression on her face, he realized at once some of the implications. It would mean four years away from Faith. He held her hand to reassure her, and simply said, “I will worry about it if it happens, it is a long way off and a lot of things can occur between now and them.”
Faith felt a hollow feeling in her stomach, and she was relatively quiet the rest of the way home. I want the best for Mark, she thought, but I could not stand losing him. In the meantime, however, he is all mine.
From the time viewpoint, it was a normal week for Mark, but there was an added intensity to his training. The tactics were clearly established, an easy heat with an open turn, and then an assault on the world’s record.
There was no telephone in his home, which was a blessing as he would have had to continually answer questions about the up-coming championships. Almost daily, there were stories about him written by the press. A few even
came to the Coogee Baths to see him work out, and it did not take much imagination to figure out the intention of the swimmer and coach.
The Sydney Morning Herald gave its opinion in their Wednesday edition.
WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT
There is little doubt that a world record attempt will be made by Coogee speedster Mark Jamieson at the Australian Championships Friday and Saturday at Empire Pool.
The youngster is considered Australia’s most outstanding swimming prospect, having broken three Australian records in his last swims, in the 55, 110 and 220 yards freestyle. The experts consider him unbeatable on his present form.
All indications are that there will be an assault on the world record, held by Richard Cleveland of the USA.
When asked about whether an attempt would be made, his coach, Terry Somerville was non-committal. ‘Anything is possible,’ he declared.
‘Then why are you concentrating on tumble turns in your training?’ he was asked.
‘We’re doing other things as well,’ his coach answered evasively.
All indications are that the 17 year-old is being groomed for an all-out effort. His time in the State Championships was the second fastest in history, and was only one-tenth of a second off the world’s best. A record crowd is expected.
The week passed quickly for Mark. His every moment seemed to be taken up. The main consolation was that after this week the swimming season would soon be over, but it would continue if he made Olympic selection. At school, everyone wanted to talk to him, and he found it difficult to concentrate on his own work. He was not uncomfortable at being a sudden celebrity, but he found it all intruded on his own personal time.
Almost before he knew it, it was Friday night and there was a record crowd at the Australian Championships, and many were there just to see Mark swim.
As they called the swimmers forward for the start of the 110 yards heat, there was a sustained roar from the crowd. Mark’s towel was thrown loosely over his shoulders as usual, it was now recognised as his trade-mark. All heads craned forward to get a glimpse of him.
It was a disappointment for the crowd, as Mark won his heat, but it was two-tenths of a second off his own Australian record time. From the moment he hit the water it was obvious that Mark was only interested in winning the heat.
The following day it was a different story. Before the race, Terry talked to Mark. “This is your last race of the season, and we are after the world’s record. It will require a maximum effort, and a tumble turn to do it. It is all up to you now. Best of luck, Mark.”
Mark said his farewells to his best friends, and then went to the dressing room to get ready. All eyes turned on him as he went in, but he paid no attention to anyone else. He lay down on a massage bench and went through the race analytically in his mind. In particular he rehearsed the tumble turn, the touch followed by the somersault and the push-off. He then undressed slowly and limbered up, stretching his hamstrings and twisting his body, circling his arms and his feet. He felt completely ready for the night of his life.
When they called the contestants for the 110 yards final he grabbed his towel and took up his position for the walk to the blocks.
When the official said it was time to go, he followed the others out. From the moment he appeared, the crowd of 10,000 stood to its feet. They sensed that it was a moment they would never forget. He looked up in the stands, and made eye contact with Terry and Faith. The moment of truth had come.
The crowd hushed as the starter’s voice ran out: “Swimmers, take your marks.”
At the sound of the pistol Mark was off, churning through the water with speed and yet grace. As he came to the turn he was ahead by two yards and then went into his tumble turn. He mistimed his approach, his hand fractionally missed the end of the pool. He completed the somersault, pushed off and sprinted to the end, touching with a flurry of foam. The crowd was hysterical, as it was a sensational race and Mark had won by five yards. As he stepped out of the water everyone stood and applauded him. It was a scene that had not been seen since the days of the legendary ‘Boy’ Charlton. Mark stood there, overcome by the reception of the crowd.
As the announcer started to speak the crowd hushed. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is a new world’s record. Mark Jamieson has smashed the record by two-tenths of a second. It is a new world’s record.”
The applause was unbelievable. Mark stood there, bowed, and then walked towards the chief judge instead of going toward the stands.
“Excuse me, sir, but I did not touch on the turn,” he said, with tears in his eyes.
“You did not what?” the judge asked incredulously.
“I did not touch! I missed my touch at the turn!” His body shook from the emotion.
“Hold it a minute, Mark, you have not been disqualified. No one saw it. Just a minute, I will get the judges.”
Perplexed, the judge grabbed the microphone. “Will all the turn judges please come immediately to the head judge.”
The crowd went deathly silent, realising that a strange drama was unfolding in front of their eyes. The chief judge looked at the turn judges. “Mark says he did not touch at the turn. Did anyone notice it?”
They each shook their heads.
The chief judge turned to the distraught young swimmer. “Mark, they ruled you touched legally.”
“But I did not, see, I did not. I do not want the record like that. I cannot accept the win, I cannot. It would not be right!”
The chief judge consulted the rule book, but it was of no assistance. There was no such contingency written about. It had simply never happened before. The judge thought for a moment, and picked up the microphone as the crowd hushed. “Ladies and gentlemen, Mark Jamieson has disqualified himself, he has declared that he did not touch on the turn. The winner is Brad Gilbert from South Australia.”
There was silence, and then looks of disbelief on the faces of the crowd. Then spectator conferred with spectator. What happened? He won, didn’t he? How could he disqualify himself? Who ever heard of such a thing? There were yells of “No, no, he won it, give it to him,” and even boos, as confusion reigned throughout the Baths.
Terry, Faith and Frank ran down to the edge of the stand, and listened incredulously as Mark explained. “I am sorry,” he said, “but I mistimed my turn and did not touch. The judges missed it. But I know I fouled and I do not want to win like that.”
Terry said quickly, “Mark, I have never heard of such a thing, but you are absolutely right. You really are something. I knew that from the beginning - I knew you were different.”
Faith burst into tears, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him in front of the thousands who were stunned at the course of events. “I love you, Mark,” she said, “I love you,” and they held on to one another, both crying unabashedly. Terry and Frank also put their arms about them. It was a moment of rare emotion.
After a time, Mark turned and went into the dressing room. The rest of the swimmers formed a path-way and patted him on the back as he walked by. He dressed quickly and left.
As he emerged from the dressing room into the stands, the crowd recognised him immediately and burst into applause. The applause continued until he disappeared from sight with Faith and Frank, away from the pool. People would turn as he walked by, and say: “Good on you, Mark, good on you boy,” and would clear a path and start clapping. It was an unprecedented display of crowd emotion.
As he got clear of the Baths, Faith enveloped him again. “Oh, Mark, Mark, Mark, I love you, I love you.”
“I know you do, Faith, as I love you.”
The newspapers the next day were full of the events of the previous night. The Sydney Sun had this to say.
GREATEST DISPLAY OF SPORTSMANSHIP EVER SEEN”, COACH DECLARES.
A cynical Sydney sporting public were treated last night to an event so rare that predictably it will ever be recounted as one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments.
It was a lesson for all Australians,
but particularly for the young, who are taught that the world of sport teaches values such as honesty and fair play. In a world of increased commercialisation, many of the values of the past are being eroded.
It took a Randwick teen-ager to set the sporting world on its head. Mark Jamieson has been breaking Australian records with such regularity that they are now expected of him, but last night at Empire Pool at North Sydney he set sail on the world’s record.
In a stunning swim he left his fellow competitors in his wake and obliterated the world’s record.
In an unprecedented action, Mark declared he had failed by not touching the wall at the 55 yards turn, though no judge had spotted the misdemeanour. He disqualified himself.
Mark told all and sundry, ‘I knew I had not touched, and that is the important thing. I have to live with my own principles. If I ever break the world’s record, and I hope I shall, I will know that I have done it properly. There will be other chances.’
Mark’s decision had the judges scurrying for the rule-books to no avail. Long-time swim experts could not recall such an event ever happening before.
His coach, Terry Somerville, who approved the action of his protégé, said: ‘It’s the greatest act of sportsmanship I have ever seen.’
He added: ‘Mark has worked harder for that world’s record than any swimmer I know and it means more to him than anyone I know. He’s a wonderful example of what every Australian youth could and should be.’
Only one event in modern times could be recalled by sports pundits comparable to that of Mark Jamieson. That was when John Landy, in an Australian championships in athletics, stopped to see if a fellow runner, Ron Clarke, was hurt before resuming the race.
Mark Jamieson is the toast of the Australian sporting public to-day because at a crucial point in his swimming career he demonstrated that the values we have all been taught in school do not merely exist in a dream world. He will be heralded over the years for an unparalleled act of sportsmanship. Those who stood in witness of the event were privileged to be at a rare moment in Australian sport.”
