The Best 3 Minutes and 16 Seconds of My Life

Dateline : Eindhoven, Ned.  Thursday August 20, 2010

Danial Murphy is prepared to swim in the mens 200 freestyle S5 competition. There is an air of anticipation. The ups and downs of waiting for months and sometimes to get the best atheletes in the world in the same place at the same time creates uncertainty about your ranking. “Am I good enough to be here?”

In front of a roaring international crowd 3 minutes and 16 seconds later we found out, yes Danial you are good enough. For Sharon and I this was one of the best family experiences and a memory for a lifetime. About the same as when Danial’s older brother Jared socred his first goal in hockey or set records of his own. I just have to tell  the world how great this feels. “No pressure Danial, just keep it up.”

I know it has been worn out over the years but I can’t help myself…

Swimming Goggles   $ 10.00
Training and travel cost for a year    $ 20,000.00
Finishing 10th in the world in a race with more than 10 swimmers    Priceless

The Aussie Leg

At my present age ( post mid life)I often forget where I leave things. The usual, you know sunglasses, keys, etc. I just cannot imagine leaving anything as important as a leg anywhere but close by. 

Earlier this week an “Aussie Leg”was spottedin the Canadian Team area of the pool. Knowing the importance of such a part the Team Canada members kept a watchful eye on the “Aussie Leg”until its owner recovered it. Even in the heat of international competition, this is what we do……”WE ARE CANADIAN”

Blogging problems resolved…sort of

Danial and coach Kevin are not able to post directly from Holland, nor are we. I am finally posting through our neighbour Andrew in Nova Scotia. So we have little catching up to do.

For anyone in Canada that has been on the swim scene in the past 35 years this will look familiar.

Kevin Ross

Now, for a second time on the Canadian National Team Coaching Staff in International Competition. Kev knows everything about swimming and everyone involved He has stats of all able bodied and para swimmers from 65 countries in his head. A coach among coaches.

One Happy Coach

It takes something very special to get Kev’s face locked in this position. Danial you did this in the 200 freestyle S5 competition.

One Happy Swimmer

Way to go Danial. Kev, I hope we can keep your face like this for a long time.

Blog problems … re pictures

Hi to all. We are having a little bit of difficulty posting  pictures and videos to the blog. The only computer available is at the hotel computer and it seems to have a firewall that is preventing some things. I will keep trying

Eindhoven is a beautiful city. The Dutch people are welcoming and excellent hosts for the IPC World Championships. I have not taken a bus since I was 12 years old but I think if i lived here I would not own a car. Easy commuting to anywhere. The food is sensational with only 1 bad meal out of ten, and that was at a place pretending to be an American Steakhouse. By American Steakhouse standards it was probably worthy of a few stars but there are so many restaurants here you just better be good. More about htis later.

The Ukraine team is very strong in the pool with some amazing performances. Our own Canadian squad have done very well also. Expectations for medals should be exceeded. Our son Danial Murphy had the best swim of his lifetime earlier today. In fact the very best 3 minutes and 16 seconds of my lifetime. ( I will try to bring more on his swim later today with pics and vids )

The Sandton Hotel in Eindhoven was named Canada House by Swimming Canada. We are staying here with the friends and families of several Canadian athletes. Although we call it Canada House it is a melting pot of friends and families from at least 12 nations. More to blog on that later this week I hope.

We will try to report a little further tonight.

Fondest regards from the Murphy’s at the IPC World Championships.

John and Sharon Murphy

Dad’s first blog attempt.

Seems strange around the house this morning. Something is missing. Ah, no 05:30 swim practice for Danial. Back to sleep for a while. Danial and his Coach Kevin Ross left yesterday to join the Canadian National Para Swim Team in Toronto for their flight to Germany for final training, tapering and preparations for the IPC World Championships in the Netherlands later this month. Just a few flight delays … as usual then off for a long travel day. Kevin and Danial are used to this. I’ve lost count of all the places they have travelled in the past five years for regional, national and

international swim meets. The IPC World Championships is especially important this year. With the  Olympics and Paralympics in London, England only 2 years away it is a preview of the world’s best para swimmers. Many swimmers at this year’s Worlds will be representing their countries in London 2012.

This is all very exciting. Around our neighbourhood with friends and people in our community there is definitely lots of interest in Danial. We have lived in the same small community on the outskirts of Halifax, Nova Scotia for almost 25 years. Many residents have come to know Danial over the years as John and Sharon Murphy’s kid. That has all changed. People approach me regularly now and say, ” Oh, you’re Danial Murphy’s dad aren’t you?” It truly is wonderful for a young man who has been invisible most of his life to have lots of positive vibes these days.

Lots more to write about in the coming days and weeks. I am expecting regular correspondence from Danial and Kevin and they may be able to post directly. Sharon and I will be in the Netherlands in a few weeks to watch the competition and report everything. For now though good luck guys, and as Danial always says,’Have a nice day”.

John and Sharon Murphy

P.S.    Congratulations to David Sharpe who has done so well at Nationals on the West Coast.

Countdown to Para Swimming World Championships

2010 Para Swimming World Championships run August 15 – August 21, 2010 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. I am proud to be selected to The Canadian National Team to compete at this event. This is my second National Team selection. I represented Canada at the 2009 Para Swimming World Championships in Brazil. My coach and I will be flying to Germany in the next few days for final training and tapering before the competition. It is all very exciting at this point so I just have to stay calm and focus on preparation so I can be at my best.

I am looking forward to joining all the athletes, coaches and national team staff in Germany. This years team consists of a combination of veteran swimmers and a few new additions. It is a great group to be with. We will all do our very best. More swimming news coming soon.

Danial Murphy

Canadian S5 Para Swimmer