Commonwealth medallist and former World champion James Gibson has joined the CN Marseille swimming club in a move that will see the breaststroke swimmer live and train full time in the south of France.
The Chelmsford-born athlete has been with Loughborough University since 1998 but required a new challenge as he turns his entire focus, time, energy and undoubted talent on securing a best possible result at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Gibson (26) has spent the past two months analysing various programmes around the world with a view to finding a system he feels will bring the best out of him as he prepares for Beijing. In CN Marseille, Gibson is confident he has discovered the right ingredients.
“I felt the need for a fresh stimulus after spending many successful years with Loughborough University,” explained Gibson. “It was important I found a new challenge and I’m confident CN Marseille has everything I need to get the best from myself.
“The group I’ll be working with is extremely talented and as individuals they’re very hungry for success. I found it infectious during my visit and I know I’m going to fit in perfectly.”
Gibson will be coached by Romain Barnier, a bronze medallist himself at the 2003 World Championships and Olympic finalist in 2004, and team mates will include French sprinters Frederick Bousquet, a former world record holder, and Fabien Gilot, a World Championship medallist.
“I viewed many programmes around the world before I made a decision on where I thought I could achieve the success I crave,” said Gibson. “For me Marseille was the obvious choice because of the coach in place, the attitude of the swimmers and the land work ethic which compliments the work in the pool.
“I’m a swimmer that takes a lot from land-based training and in Marseille there is a strong focus on the strength and conditioning which was a big draw.”
Gibson is under no illusion of what lies ahead for him, the sacrifices he will have to make and dedication needed to ensure he gives himself the best preparation with which to achieve his Olympic ambitions.
“I feel quite nervous about the move to a foreign country although everyone at the club has done everything possible to make me feel very welcome.
“It’s about challenging yourself in life as well and moving to a foreign country, learning a new language and discovering a different culture are all part of the processes that I think will make me a stronger athlete as I turn my attention towards the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
“It’s a full time move for me and I’m going there with one aim in mind and that is to give me the best chance of success in Beijing. There will be no distractions for me in Marseille and my life will only be about swimming.”
Much of Gibson’s motivation is generated by memories of the 2004 Olympics and the disappointment that still brings to an athlete who has carried the highest expectations of himself since his first involvement in the sport.
“I’m still disappointed by my results in Athens and I don’t think that pain will ever go away unless I return from Beijing knowing that my preparations and performances were fuelled by giving literally everything I could. The move to Marseille provides the foundation for that.
After such a long time with Loughborough University, Gibson’s decision to move was a difficult one but he’s confident of the eventual outcome.
“I’ve spent eight great years at Loughborough and I’ll miss it,” explained Gibson. “The majority of my successes, not only in the pool but within life as well, have been while in the programme. It’s been a massive decision to leave but I need fresh stimulus.
“For a life after swimming I’ve gained a masters degree but what I’m really looking forward to next is being able to direct everything I have towards my swimming. It’s such an exciting time and I know working with Romain (Barnier) and Freddie (Bousquet) is going to challenge me like never before.”
Head Coach Barnier, who expects Gibson’s talent and experience to push forward the entire programme within Marseille, shares Gibson’s excitement.
“It’s a thrilling prospect to be training James,” said Barnier. “He’s a great athlete with the potential to medal in Beijing but I also like him for the person he is and that’s important.
“He’s got great charisma and is a very focused individual with a great work ethic. James works hard and, as an experienced athlete, he’s going to push myself as a coach as well as the other swimmers on the programme here in Marseille.
“When James visited and trained with us the group as a whole enjoyed a best ever week of training. That’s the effect he had in the space of just seven days. He pushed them and gave them confidence, and we have a set up in Marseille that will give that back to James in return.”
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For further details or to arrange an interview with James Gibson contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org <mailto:dave.richards@swimming.org>
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain. It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association) British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
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