Q and A with Joanna Fargus

Joanna "Jo" Fargus was born in Hong Kong, raised in Australia, competed for Great Britain at the Sydney Olympic Games and educated at the University of Southern California. She's since made the switch over to the Aussie National team and won gold for them at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

She's a 200 backstroke specialist, a six-time All-American and former co-captain of her USC team and a former teammate and roommate of one of our favorites here at BHO, Kaitlin Sandeno. Some might think she's kinda gorgeous too.

Enjoy!


One of my photos from Speedo Grand Challenge last year

1. What are your goals going into this season? Is training in an Olympic year much different that training any other year?

Going into this season, my main goal is to swim at the Olympic Games and represent my country to the best of my ability. But obviously I have to make the team first, so our training right now is geared towards racing fast at our Trials in March. I think if you ask any athlete, I think they'll tell you that their training is different in an Olympic year, mainly because of the added pressure we place upon ourselves. The content of the training we do probably isn't very different to other years, but there is a special pride attached with the Olympics that makes us push that extra bit each day. My aim is to go into the Olympics knowing that I have done everything in my power to achieve my best possible result. I think that is the definition of success.

2. How is training different for you in Australia under Coach Cotterell than it was under Mark Schubert at USC and the ever controversial Bill Sweetenham in Great Britain? How is your training going?

Well, I am now training with Stephan Widmer up in Brisbane. I moved to his squad right before our World Championship trials in November 2006. Training with Stephan is amazing, but initially I was shocked at how different it was to my previous programs. I loved my time at USC and wouldn't trade my experience there for anything. Mark taught me so much about myself as an athlete and a person, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to swim at one of the best programs in the US with an amazing group of people. I also trained under head coach Bill Sweetenham in Great Britain, but the main difference Australia has to offer in comparison with the UK is its overwhelming culture of sport. The support system down under is highly conducive to success, and training with Denis Cotterell was a great factor in my achievements at last years Commonwealth Games. Denis is not only a great coach but he is a wonderful person. He truly cares about his athletes and I can't thank him enough for what he did for me as a swimmer. After a while, however, I felt as though I needed a change in my life, so I moved to Brisbane to train alongside Libby Lenton and Leisel Jones. I love the work we do with Stephan, it's so different to anything I have ever experienced in a program before. He challenges us every day, takes us out of our comfort zones and the program is very race oriented. The first 3 months in his squad were a huge shock to my system, but now I'm seeing the positive effects it's having, which is extremely exciting in the lead up to next year.

3. You suffered a very serious ankle injury back in 2002 and struggled a bit after that. What advice can you give other young swimmers experiencing similar difficulties? What got you through the low times?

Breaking my ankle was one of the hardest experiences of my swimming career. It happened just as I was maturing as an athlete and as I was rapidly improving. I struggled for a long time, more mentally than physically. It took me about 18 months to get full strength back in my leg, but it took me a lot longer to regain the confidence I had previously. If I could give advice, it would be to just to stick it out. Keep pushing yourself, get a good support system around you and just try to take it one day at a time. It's very frustrating being injured, and as the stubborn person that I am, I wanted to be better immediately. But being mad at myself wasn't going to help things, so I decided to just focus on small goals I wanted to achieve and do everything I could to reach them. I was training under Mark Schubert when I injured myself, and I consider him a great influence on my recovery. When most people were assuming I would retire or were writing me off, he had the utmost faith in me and celebrated every little step I made on the long road back to my best. Also my friends and family were so supportive of me, and I don't think I could have stuck in this sport without them to keep me level headed throughout all the hard times.

4. You're stranded alone on a tropical island with nothing but a tiki hut and a cache of rum...which 3 swimmers would you invite to join you? Which ones are good for a fun island vacation?

A cache of rum!!! Sounds like a party to me.
Well firstly I would invite Kaitlin Sandeno. We were freshmen together at USC and have stayed great friends throughout the years. I don't get to see her very much, mainly at international meets but I love her to bits and you can always count on her to cheer you up when you're down or to get the party started!!! Secondly I would invite Mel Schlanger. She is my training buddy and an awesome girl. We are so alike, it's quite scary, and she is always there to cheer me up if I'm having a bad day or bring me down if I'm wound up. Thirdly, I would invite Ryk Neethling. (I don't think a reason is required here, but 3 girls on a tropical island would definitely need some eye candy!)

5. What's the best thing to eat Nutella with?

Well, being the Nutella addict that I am, I would have to say that it is without a doubt the best food ever created. No question. It is good on fingers, toast, crackers, bananas, pancakes, french toast... the list is endless. I don't think there is anything it wouldn't go with. But the best thing to eat Nutella with is a big spoon straight from the jar.

News Limited picture - Jo at the Australian Swimmer of the Year Awards

Honestly, what is with all the Ryk Neethling love? Give me Markus Rogan and zero competition with that cache of rum and let the good times roll!

In all seriousness, Jo sounds like a really level headed athlete who has perservered and I'm sure we'll see great things from her in Beijing. Best of luck!