|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 18 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Julian Bolling: From Champ to Coach The Arena with Srian Obeysekera It's well over a decade since a tousle haired, athletically built fair lad caught the imagination of the Asian swimming world. He was the darling of Sri Lankan swimming. Then he was in his teens and at his swimming best.
He would be at a training session or at some social, but characteristically cuts out an unassuming figure in simple dress. Often in a casual shirt and pair of shorts and sandals. Indeed, the name Bolling is synonymous with swimming where the sport runs in the family. Julian's mother, Tara has been swimming with this virtual 'first love' for years while his brother David is a 1,500 metres free style SAF Games winner. Several of his aunts also have excelled in the field. Though 38, Julian is still a bachelor, and says he hasn't found the woman he is looking for. "I'm still looking for a suitable partner to come around," the eligible bachelor quips when asked about marriage. Out of competitive swimming since those halcyon days dating back to the 1986 Asian Games that brought him a string of gold medals and where he established several records for some of which, as Julian proudly acclaims, 'still stand,' the former champion is in the hub of activities giving his expertise to further developing the sport in the country. "I run the Rainbow Aquatic Club and Swimming Academy together with my brother David," he says when asked as to what he is doing currently. A Director of what he describes as 'a mix of school going and school leavers,' Julian was all smiles revealing that Rainbow Club had produced several winners both at international and national level. One of which was having a gold medal winner at the Indo-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh swimming triangular. "At the last SAF Games we had five winners including Menaka de Silva who missed winning the gold by one tenth of a second," Julian voices noting that Menaka coming under his eye is the only woman swimmer in the Sri Lankan contingent to the forthcoming 2004 Olympics in Athens. The other being Conrad Francis from men. Training for Rainbow Club members, he says, is divided into six levels from a development squad to seniors, both at the NCC pool and at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium swimming complex. "The Junior national squad and senior national squad train at the stadium pool," he elaborates saying that there are 20 full time instructors. What about his mother? Is she still actively involved in swimming? "She is retired being in her 62nd year, but she would feel like a 'fish out of water' if she does not get into the water," he replies as he hastens to explain in lighter vein, "She swims one mile every day, and that is one mile more than what I swim". "You don't swim at all?" "Nopes," comes the answer. Did he enjoy his work as a swimming director? "Obviously you must enjoy what you do taking every problem as an opportunity," he says. Indeed, Julian Bolling, the champion of champions stands out for giving full time to sports instead of opting for a white collar job in an air conditioned room. In fact, this was something which he shunned. Being a senior executive at Nestles was not his 'chocolate' as he left the milking confectionery to be with children where he felt he belonged. That and all his marketing degrees he had obtained in the USA from the University of Clarion, Pennsylvania Julian drowned for his world of swimming. And swimming it has been for Julian who has not stinted to give his time wherever his skills have been needed. Whether it is helping fine hone talent at school, club or defence services level including giving a hand through a workshop to start swimming at the Austasia Swimming Club at Thalawathugoda. At the latter Bolling extended his services even to the suburbs of all age groups. Julian has fond memories about his medal winning days. Representing the country along with his two elder brothers Jeremy and David when he swam at the 1979 SAF Games was a memorable event for the family. David won the gold while Julian was runner-up and Jeremy was a reserve. Swimming at three Olympics for his country was another. But it was being at the 1984 Los Angeles Games that was 'a dream come true' for its ceremonial value which he rates as 'fantastic'. He also treasures the SAF Games at Kathmandu when his career had reached its zenith. He was the overall captain of the Sri Lankan contingent at the Games where some five swimmers came under his wing. In his book, swimming has to be as complete as building a house. He themes on the foundation where there can be no room and walls without a firm foundation. Interestingly, Julian did not come on the blocks because swimming ran in the family. Julian latched onto it because he took to the waters more out of a desire to swim to put on weight as a kid. But it was the beginning to a career which saw young Bolling go on to cut his teeth in the sport as a student at Royal College from where he rose to international heights. Indeed, Julian's is a story of being born with a silver spoon. In contrast to the heroes emerging from the villages who make it a 'rag to riches' success looking to make the most of their latent talent as much as attractive white collar employment. His is a story of the love for the waters and to move with the community which has superseded material riches. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Today, that charming, athletic figure has been worn down by age. But
the tousles and striking features are unmistakable though Julian Bolling
at 38, now leads a modest life giving his time to his former pastime.
