WHEN Roland Schoeman competed at his first Commonwealth Games in 1998, his Glasgow games team mate Erin Gallagher had not even been born.
US-based Schoeman, 34, is Team SA's oldest swimmer and the country's most decorated Games athlete with 10 career medals. He has been giving advice to the tadpole Gallagher in a bid to fast-track her to the podium.
"He helped me with my dives the other day," says Gallagher, 15, who is rated by coach Graham Hill as a future star.
"He helped me to improve my technique," beamed the Durban schoolgirl.
"I'm always happy to help where I can with the youngsters," said Schoeman, whose lightning start has been studied around the world since he bagged three medals at the 2004 Olympics.
Schoeman is still a medal prospect coming into the gala as the top-ranked swimmer in the 50m butterfly, although he faces a tough campaign to make the podium in the 50m freestyle.
He is also scheduled to compete in the 4x100m freestyle and medley relays, both considered medal prospects for SA.
And should Schoeman achieve at least three gongs, he will join Australian Mike Wenden on 13 career Games medals, the most by a male competitor.
Gallagher is still dreaming of her first. She knows she has no chance of getting it in her only individual race, the 100m freestyle, but she is hoping there is a possibility in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay on Thursday.
Her potential was confirmed by scientific studies done while in a training camp in Doha, Qatar.
"Tests showed that my sleeping pattern is the best of everyone there.
" I was asleep 81- 90% of the time, while the others were around 70%.
"They also told me my body structure is the perfect match for a female sprinter, that was good news," said Gallagher.
The Commonwealth Games start tomorrow until August 3.
Schoeman helps teammate (15)
WHEN Roland Schoeman competed at his first Commonwealth Games in 1998, his Glasgow games team mate Erin Gallagher had not even been born.
US-based Schoeman, 34, is Team SA's oldest swimmer and the country's most decorated Games athlete with 10 career medals. He has been giving advice to the tadpole Gallagher in a bid to fast-track her to the podium.
"He helped me with my dives the other day," says Gallagher, 15, who is rated by coach Graham Hill as a future star.
"He helped me to improve my technique," beamed the Durban schoolgirl.
"I'm always happy to help where I can with the youngsters," said Schoeman, whose lightning start has been studied around the world since he bagged three medals at the 2004 Olympics.
Schoeman is still a medal prospect coming into the gala as the top-ranked swimmer in the 50m butterfly, although he faces a tough campaign to make the podium in the 50m freestyle.
He is also scheduled to compete in the 4x100m freestyle and medley relays, both considered medal prospects for SA.
And should Schoeman achieve at least three gongs, he will join Australian Mike Wenden on 13 career Games medals, the most by a male competitor.
Gallagher is still dreaming of her first. She knows she has no chance of getting it in her only individual race, the 100m freestyle, but she is hoping there is a possibility in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay on Thursday.
Her potential was confirmed by scientific studies done while in a training camp in Doha, Qatar.
"Tests showed that my sleeping pattern is the best of everyone there.
" I was asleep 81- 90% of the time, while the others were around 70%.
"They also told me my body structure is the perfect match for a female sprinter, that was good news," said Gallagher.
The Commonwealth Games start tomorrow until August 3.
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