Q and A with Markus Rogan

Markus Rogan is more than just a world class athlete, Olympic silver medalist and former World Record holder. For many people, he is the epitome of what an Olympian should be. After the disqualification of Aaron Peirsol in the 200 Backstroke in Athens, Markus would have been the Olympic Champion but he stood by Aaron in protest of the DQ and maintained that his friend and competitor was the clear winner of the race and should not lose his medal. His behavior earned him the Fair Play Award in 2004 and of course the respect of his peers and fans everywhere.

In the intervening years he's broken Aaron's short course record in the 200m backstroke, won many additional international medals and been a vocal advocate for the rights of athletes. He joined others in petitioning FINA when they started forcing swimmers to wear sponsor logos on their uniforms and just this past year petitioned the IOC to keep swimming finals at night in Beijing. He is now training to improve on his Olympic results from 2004 and face Aaron once again in Beijing.



1. You are now training in Rome. What necessitated the move and how does "la dolce vita" of Italy work for you as a training environment? How do you feel about where you are with your training right now? Favorite gelato flavor?

In Italy, emotions are part of training. Even when we're dead tired, we're able to let our dreams carry us through the hardest parts of workout.

I moved here because I had no one to train with in Austria, and I started to see swimming as something of a dry sport...I needed more excitement, I yearned for passion in the water.

True Italians don't really eat gelato, that's for tourists...just like Mexicans don't really drink Corona...:)

2. Because of your athleticism and sportsmanship/character you are looked upon as a role model not only in your home country of Austria but around the world. What do you hope to inspire in young people and who are the role models you look to yourself?

I used to have pretty lofty goals as a role model, until I realized that the world's pretty full of them. Now I just hope that I can show children that it's better to go for a swim than to take drugs.

I'm currently discovering a new role model, Barack Obama. I love his match of idealism with a very people-inclusive approach.

3. You have a degree in International Relations from Stanford and I read in one of your previous interviews that you've tested for Business School. Will you continue to swim competitively after Beijing or are you ready for something else? Is it still too soon to think about that?

I hope to hear from Harvard in the next couple of weeks...but it will be pretty tough to get in. I'll stop training after Beijing and see how much longer I'll swim... I'm also going to expand my work as a consultant for my bank, Raiffeisen International.

4. What are your feelings on the use of underwater cameras and video review for officials in swimming? Long overdue or an unnecessary encumbrance?

The stupid Greek!
Of course they should be used!

5. On your website you have photos and results from the Markus Rogan Talent Cup. Can you tell us a little more about what that is?

It's a nationwide talent search for swimmers...we had about 5000 participants (not bad for a country smaller than the Dallas met area) and are hoping that a couple of them will make it to the Olympics in 2016.

6. Ok, I know I said 3-5 questions so you don't have to answer this one if you don't want to, but a few of the young women that visit the site are interested to know what qualities you look for in a woman and are you single?

I am madly in love with my girlfriend. Our mutual friend, Aaron Peirsol, got her phone number for me about six months ago. Today's our five month anniversary! Unfortunately, she's in China at the Miss World Pageant. In her normal life, she's in med school and we're planning on having somewhere between 3 and 20 children.

Markus with his girlfriend Miss Austria Christine Reiler. Photo credit: Zwefo

Nice work Aaron! Although I'm afraid some girls will not be so happy with you for that ;). Everyone be sure to root for Miss Austria on December 1st.

Those of us who went to Montreal in 2005 have many fond memories of riding the metro with Markus. I won't embarrass Blair (or the rest of us) by detailing it all but she accidentally got a little up close and personal with him. Good times...good times.

Y'all can read more about him on his fabulous dual-language website. He's got technique videos, games, photos, and much more.