The Big Swim

Marion Clubb

All this talk of Olympic glory has brought back to mind the time I swam for the glory of my school. This is how it came about. I was what you would call a keen swimmer, not an outstanding one like Jill Collins. She swam in a club most evenings and weekends; I swam once a week - usually Thursdays after school. One Monday morning, I was summoned to see the head of the Physical Education department. You'll be swimming on Saturday evening - the Junior Midlands Trials are on. You will be swimming in the hundred yards breast stroke;

'But' I remonstrated 'My times are too poor, lost week I was ten seconds outside the qualification time'

Miss Oliphant looked at me sternly. Train every night this week and knock those seconds off - Friday 5pm we will time you'

With that I was dismissed, a bit bewildered but also excited at the same time. In those days, in the early 1950s, you did what your elders and betters told you. Every afternoon found me swimming up and down the lanes of a very crowded pool. And by Friday 5pm I just managed to swim within the qualifying time for the competition. I was pleased and so was the gym mistress, she actually smiled. Saturday morning, I woke excited - it was the day of the race. I had no illusions about my ability to win, but I loved the thought of the competition. Later on, when I was taking my swimming costume off the kitchen pulley, I noticed how worn and faded the green, seersucker material had become. Countless doses of salty, chlorine dips had taken its toll. How would it compare with the sleek, classic, black costumes of the other swimmers I would meet up with that evening? My spirits fell. Previously all that had mattered was qualifying for the race, now my concerns were about my appearance. My twin sister, sensing something was wrong, listened to my unhappy tale. She comforted me, promising to accompany me to the trials that evening.

We arrived in good time, but already, black-costumed swimmers were lounging around the pool. Not only did they look elegant but all sported large, fluffy towels draped around their shoulders - it being before the days of track-suits. My towel was well worn and off-white. I scuffled into one of the pool-side changing cubicles and stayed, watching over the half-door as officials gathered and the races were announced. My race was called. I took a deep breath, left the shelter of the cubicle and walked the short distance to the end of the pool. The noisy spectators hushed and I stood, waiting and wishing the ordeal was over. Only one other competitor appeared - it was Jill Collins - a familiar face - and she seemed genuinely glad to see me. Just the two of us? Oh well we'll have a good race, right'

"Right" I said, cheered already, I noted with satisfaction that Jill's costume was not black but blue and then we were under starter's orders. The green stretch of water lay like velvet below us with the tiles beneath clearly visible. The faint smell of chlorine always excited me and, my pulse quickened in anticipation of the baffle ahead.

Then we were off, shattering the stillness of the water with our racing dives. We made for the other end almost together. Greatly encouraged that I could stay with Jill's pace we turned. At times I was just ahead, only to be overtaken, but we were still alternating the lead on the third length and there was only one more length to swim. I had never swim so fast before. I was stretched beyond my limit. I had to keep going, But now my chest was tight, my legs and arms obstacles to be hauled through to the finish. Ahead I heard the cheers as Jill completed the race. I struggled to a gasping finish. The clapping began again. It dawned - they were clapping for me! Hands were thrust out to help me out and all I could hear was well done, well done. Jill came over too and we grinned at each other. I managed to pant my congratulations. Just then, the Head Games master of the Academy pushed his way through the swimmers and stood in front of me. He shook me by the hand, 'On behalf of the school I would like to thank you for taking part in the race tonight. You gave Jill the race she needed to qualify for the next stage of the competition. She could not have done it without your effort. She has made an excellent time tonight." I was quite token aback and delighted. Then, he added 'and by the way if anyone asks how you got on tonight ,tell them you were second, no need to tell them that there were just the two of you competing!'