Swimming: Lack of motivation spells end

By JULIE ASH

While Steven Ferguson's decision to throw in his towel may have come as a shock to many, it was no surprise to Swimming New Zealand.

Having reached the Commonwealth Games qualifying mark in the 50m breaststroke, Ferguson, one of New Zealand's most talented swimmers, had discussed his decision to quit with Swimming New Zealand coaching director Clive Rushton.

The decision was confirmed yesterday, just three-and-a-half months out from the Games, in Manchester.

"We'd talked about it at length. We'd gone through all the options and possibilities, but he'd made up his mind," said Rushton.

Ferguson, who competed in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, was at the beginning of his career, according to Rushton.

"He's 21, he's nowhere near reaching his potential, he's probably got another eight years in him in my opinion, and he could have gone a long way.

"If he had gone to Manchester I would have certainly booked him a place in the final and he would have been hunting for a medal."

Ferguson, son of Olympic canoeing multi-medal-winner Ian Ferguson, said the decision to quit has been niggling away at him since the Olympics.

"Now I just want to put it aside," he said.

"I talked it over with dad, mum and my coach, Jan Cameron, who is like a second mum to me, and they were all happy and supportive of my decision.

"It was huge, because I have been doing it for the last 15 years, but it is a decision that had to be made."

A typical day for Ferguson would start at 5.30am with a two-hour swim session followed by a workout on land, such as a gym session.

He would return to the pool later in the day for another two-hour session and in between would work for five or six hours at his family's business, Ferg's Kayaks, three times a week.

He would allow himself just one day off a week.

"I lack motivation in the pool. I don't enjoy the early morning wake ups any more and I didn't have any goals to aspire to, so training was like self punishment," he said.

Staying until the Games had never really been an option.

"I would have been going for the trip and not giving it 100 per cent."

Part of his decision to quit swimming was because he wanted to devote more time to surf lifesaving.

He is a member of the New Zealand team for the world championships in Florida next month.

However, Ferguson doesn't completely rule out a return to the pool.

As he said: "In two, three or four years time I might have a desire to get back into the pool."