Getting to know Col Pearse

Col Pearse is a Paralympic swimmer who trains here at MSAC with the Nunawading Swim Club. At his first Paralympics, Tokyo 2020, Col won a bronze medal in the men’s 100m butterfly S10. At the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London, Col also broke the Oceania Record in the same event.

We caught up with Col before he took off for Paris, where he’ll be competing in the 200m Individual Medley, 100 Butterfly and 100m Backstroke.

Congratulations on making the team!

It’s super exciting to make my second Paralympic swim team. It’s always been a goal of mine to represent this country and to be able to do it at the pinnacle is very exciting, it’s what we work for.

Have you been to Paris before?

I’ve been to Paris twice now, right before World Champs and Comm Games. So I love the city, I love the food. I’ve never actually swam in Paris. so [I’m] super excited to check out the pool there. Other than that, I’ve only I’ve only ever done the real touristy stuff in Paris, so I’m kind of excited to be able to live in the village for two weeks and sort of be be amongst the other athletes there.

You train here at MSAC, how do the facilities here help you prepare at your best for the Games?

Yeah, it’s really great being a part of a high performance group with the Nunawading Swim Club. MSAC is renowned as an Olympic and Paralympic training centre, so a really great environment for us athletes inspiring to be an Olympic or Paralympic athlete and training for the games. You’ve got the VIS just across the road, which is super handy. That’s where we get a gym, psychology, physio and recovery done. So a really great centre for us for training and a super good location.

What will a normal day look like in the village?

I’m yet to find that out, depending on how the village is structured. But I think for me, when we get into the village and it comes race time, I’ll just be kicking back, reading books, watching movies and trying to stay off my phone as much as I can.

Can you describe your swimming three words…?

I’ve never been asked that question. I’m going to say determined, high flying… even though that’s two words… Like, I don’t know, moving, fast, controlled? Oh, I like that actually! Quick, consistent, enthusiastic.

Is Paris ready for the mullet?

Haha, yes, I hope so! I’ve been growing this mullet for a few months I’m going to prime it up leading into it, get it freshly trimmed. I’m really excited to show off this fair dinkum Australian ginger mullet.