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Summary Anthony Ervin will vie for a second 50m freestyle gold in London.
It will be 12 years after claiming a first in Sydney and nine years after Ervin abruptly walked away from his swimming career.This time around, the 31-year-old sprinter is clearly enjoying every step of the journey.I just want to keep this fun train chugging, Ervin said after finishing runner-up to Cullen Jones in the 50m free at the US Olympicswimming trials.The US duo threw down the gauntlet to reigning Olympic champion Cesar Cielo, notching the second- and third-fastest times of the year -- 21.59 and 21.60 -- behind the Brazilians 21.38.But Ervin, who shared gold with team-mate Gary Hall jnr in Sydney, recalled that it had taken a long time and help from many before he recovered from the burn-out that forced him out of the sport and found it fun again.He thanked a litany of people, from the first coach of his childhood to his high school coach and Mike Bottom, who coached him in college during and to his first Olympic success.That guy helped me reach the top, and when I insisted on landsliding myself down, he was there for me, Ervin said. But at the end of it, I knew that he didnt just care about Anthony Ervin the swimmer, he cared about Anthony Ervin the person, and that means more than ever.Ervins personal odyssey took him from California to New York and back again. He worked odd jobs and along the way sold his Olympic gold medal to aid Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts.He eventually finished his university degree, and got acquainted with University of California womens coach Teri McKeever.She inherited a very fragile, mentally is the best word for it, kind of persona, and she brought back what it was like to swim for fun and enjoy it myself, he said.Ervin was still enjoying the thrill as he described the finish of the frantic one-lap sprint.I touched the wall and then I looked at the scoreboard, but I couldnt tell what happened, said the near-sighted swimmer, who relied on rival Nathan Adrian to read the scoreboard.Nathan looked at me and said You made it So it was overwhelming relief, he said.As to what he expects in London, Ervin said he doesnt know.The medal is up there, he said. Whether I can land one or not, I hope so. Im going to try my best. Im not controlling what anyone else is doing. There are incredible swimmers around the world that will be there.All I can promise is Im going to do what I can.
