Cameron van der Burgh was late joining his fellow Olympic medallists in the press conference room at the aquatics centre in Rio in the early hours of Monday morning.
But the international journalists didn’t care.
The Brits were interested only in their new 100m breaststroke champion Adam Peaty‚ 21‚ their team’s first male swimming champion since 1988.
The Yanks‚ to a lesser degree‚ wanted to know about third-placed Cody Miller‚ 24‚ and the influence his mother played in his career.
Van der Burgh‚ 28‚ might as well not have even been there‚ as far as they were concerned.
Perhaps they thought of the dethroned king as a tragic alchemist who had transformed his gold of London 2012 into silver in Brazil.
They didn’t know what he went through to get to the podium‚ including the pre-race nerves that felt “like a fridge on your chest”.
In taking silver Van der Burgh became only the seventh South African to win Olympic medals at different Games.
He was also only the second men’s 100m breaststroke Olympic champion to make it back to the podium four years later.
What he did on Sunday night took courage and determination‚ considering the physical and emotional challenges he had been through since London.
Van der Burgh overcame a serious shoulder injury as well as mental doubts along the way.
“It’s really difficult to be consistent over the years‚” he told a gathering of SA journalists in the press conference room straight after the official proceedings.
“Even previous Olympic champions are struggling at these Games.
“I’m really happy. It’s a been a tough four years‚ there’s been a lot of ups‚ a lot of downs‚ but winning a medal is something that’s tangible.”
Van der Burgh has not won the 100m at a major gala since London‚ but that he has taken silver at the 2013 and 2015 world championships as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games is impressive.
Two years ago‚ after Van der Burgh had just beaten Peaty in the non-Olympic 50m breaststroke event in Glasgow‚ he fought back the tears as he admitted he had considered retirement.
Later that year he rehabilitated a serious injury to his left shoulder‚ using physiotherapy rather than surgery.
In Rio‚ Van der Burgh produced his two fastest swims of the year in the semifinals and final‚ but he admitted he had to battle his mental demons.
“We get these attacks of nerves that come over you‚ it’s like a fridge on your chest so you have to fight it off over the day.
“There’s something special about the pressure … any guy that’s able to get up there and fight that off and put together a good swim‚ it’s a special kind of breed … You can see a lot of the guys are not putting it together here.
“There are a lot of things that can weigh on your mind — the doubt‚ the expectation. You’ve really got to try and fight those off and believe in yourself.”
When last had Van der Burgh attended a press conference and not been asked a question?
“That’s what I said to the guys‚” he said with a laugh.
“I remember 2012‚ the press conference was all about me so I said ‘guys‚ I don’t really need to come‚ I’m sure it’s just going to be about Adam’.
“You know‚ there’s a new Olympic champion and it’s an amazing feeling and I’m sure he’s going to enjoy it for the next four years.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Van der Burgh overcomes injury as well as mental doubts to reach Olympic podium
But the international journalists didn’t care.
The Brits were interested only in their new 100m breaststroke champion Adam Peaty‚ 21‚ their team’s first male swimming champion since 1988.
The Yanks‚ to a lesser degree‚ wanted to know about third-placed Cody Miller‚ 24‚ and the influence his mother played in his career.
Van der Burgh‚ 28‚ might as well not have even been there‚ as far as they were concerned.
Perhaps they thought of the dethroned king as a tragic alchemist who had transformed his gold of London 2012 into silver in Brazil.
They didn’t know what he went through to get to the podium‚ including the pre-race nerves that felt “like a fridge on your chest”.
In taking silver Van der Burgh became only the seventh South African to win Olympic medals at different Games.
He was also only the second men’s 100m breaststroke Olympic champion to make it back to the podium four years later.
What he did on Sunday night took courage and determination‚ considering the physical and emotional challenges he had been through since London.
Van der Burgh overcame a serious shoulder injury as well as mental doubts along the way.
“It’s really difficult to be consistent over the years‚” he told a gathering of SA journalists in the press conference room straight after the official proceedings.
“Even previous Olympic champions are struggling at these Games.
“I’m really happy. It’s a been a tough four years‚ there’s been a lot of ups‚ a lot of downs‚ but winning a medal is something that’s tangible.”
Van der Burgh has not won the 100m at a major gala since London‚ but that he has taken silver at the 2013 and 2015 world championships as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games is impressive.
Two years ago‚ after Van der Burgh had just beaten Peaty in the non-Olympic 50m breaststroke event in Glasgow‚ he fought back the tears as he admitted he had considered retirement.
Later that year he rehabilitated a serious injury to his left shoulder‚ using physiotherapy rather than surgery.
In Rio‚ Van der Burgh produced his two fastest swims of the year in the semifinals and final‚ but he admitted he had to battle his mental demons.
“We get these attacks of nerves that come over you‚ it’s like a fridge on your chest so you have to fight it off over the day.
“There’s something special about the pressure … any guy that’s able to get up there and fight that off and put together a good swim‚ it’s a special kind of breed … You can see a lot of the guys are not putting it together here.
“There are a lot of things that can weigh on your mind — the doubt‚ the expectation. You’ve really got to try and fight those off and believe in yourself.”
When last had Van der Burgh attended a press conference and not been asked a question?
“That’s what I said to the guys‚” he said with a laugh.
“I remember 2012‚ the press conference was all about me so I said ‘guys‚ I don’t really need to come‚ I’m sure it’s just going to be about Adam’.
“You know‚ there’s a new Olympic champion and it’s an amazing feeling and I’m sure he’s going to enjoy it for the next four years.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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