Ex-Olympic swimmer says honesty is the best policy 

Namibian Olympian Jorg Lindemeier was a goal-oriented swimmer. The former African champion, who represented Namibia at three different Olympic Games during an impressively successful swimming career, started off as a football player and even represented pre-independence South West Africa at junior level.

“I started swimming late, since I first played soccer. I was called up for two concecutive years to the under-13 team.

“The second time Frankie Fredericks was my roommate. We didn’t know we would one day represent Namibia at the Olympics, he says.

Lindemeier says he then won the 50m breaststroke race at the schools championships, to the surprise of many.

“That is when I started to take a keen interest in swimming.”

He says although it is an individual sport, the social component of training group important.

Lindemeier was selected to represent South West Africa at the South African Swimming Championships.

However, in South Africa, only swimmers who were members of swimming clubs were allowed to participate, prompting him to join Marlins Swimming Club.

The breaststroke specialist, who has since relocated to Germany, where he is based in the capital of Berlin, says his swimming style was characterised by both power and technique.

“Breaststroke is a combination of both. The timing of both is key. If the timing is out, you block yourself instead of going forward. Rope jumping was an important exercise in our daily workouts,” he says.

“I was the Namibian champ for many years, and the African champion over the 200m breaststroke in Cairo, Egypt. I reached the final at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur over the 100m, while I finished third in the African Championships in the 200m in South Africa.”

The retired star also reminisces about his escapades with the post-independence national teams, adding that every journey they undertook was special.

“We always had big and small teams of different sport codes. It was interesting to see former world boxing champion Harry ‘The Terminator’ Simon, Frank ‘NamBlitz’ Fredericks, Elisabeth ‘Zola’ Mongudhi, and all the others prepare for their events,” Lindemeier says.

“It was interesting to see who got up early, what diet they were following, and physio they were going for. After everyone’s race day, we sat together and held some small team talks.

“It was interesting to hear what hard work everyone went through to eventually take part at the Olympics.”

Lindemeier was approached from Cape Town in South Africa to join a club.

This did not include the possiblity of a career, which is why he decided to venture overseas rather.

As is the case with many other athletes, the former continental champion, also has regrets.

“Choosing the wrong coach in Germany,” Lindemeier proclaims as one.

“This basically destroyed my international career. Overseas always sounds great and perfect, but there you are just a number. You either make it or disappear,” he says.

“Today I am happy with what I achieved in sport and I don’t regret anything. It was an incredible journey!”

WORK, FAMILY

The three-time Olympian married Monica Lindemeier in 2006 and the couple has two daughters.

He says he jogs every now and then.

“I don’t enjoy it and it is really just because I know the body needs some activity. Swimming happens very seldom. So I try to keep my body in shape, but it is a fight every day.”

For the past five years Lindemeier has been in the property business.

“We are worried how our climate develops – the cultural and religious fights arising all over the world are worrying. At the end we only have this world.

“We need to give our best to preserve it and keep the peace so we can all enjoy the time we spend here,” he says.

Lindemeier says that he tries to teach his children to be open-minded and not to judge people based on their colour or religion.

He is no longer involved in swimming, he says.

“What I experienced with the Namibian Amateur Swimming Union while training overseas, I also experienced here in Germany. Sport politics can ruin a sport and people,” he says.

“If children are successful, their parents often get involved in their club or union. If the children then make the national team, suddenly their parents seem to have more ambition than they themselves.

“The parents even end up as president of that club or union.”

Lindemeier says that parent then only serves the best interest of their child, with the child often not aware of this.

This is a difficult situation to change, because it even happens in politics, he says.

Lindemeier says his mindset and a family that supported him boosted his performance.

“I had many dreams, but in general everything is fine as it is. If one needs change, one must do it. Don’t talk, just act,” he says.

Lindemeier says that one thing he liked about the rivalry of the past is that the swimmers competed fiercely against each other, but once out of the water, they were best friends.

His advice to young swimmers is: “Enjoy the exercise, set yourself high but reachable dreams, and always be honest with yourself.”