Every four years, the Olympics captures the planet’s imagination as we witness superhuman feats of speed, strength, endurance, and determination from athletes who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of perfection. Outside Lane – on M-Net Channel 101 from 15 August at 8pm – follows four South African swimmers in a quest for success that started decades before they boarded the plane to Paris for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.
The four-part documentary, from School Ties, Steinheist and Devilsdorp producers Idea Candy, shows us what it takes to compete at the highest levels of the sport in which South Africa has achieved its greatest Olympic success since readmission: the intensity of the training; the sacrifices to personal life – but perhaps most of all, the mindset that makes these athletes get up every morning and do it all over again.
Kaylene Corbett, Pieter Coetzé, Erin Gallagher and Matthew Sates are not yet household names along the lines of Olympic legends like Penny Heyns, Ryk Neethling, Natalie du Toit, Roland Schoeman, Chad le Clos or Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker) – and Outside Lane follows this next generation of champions and their coach as they train for Paris 2024, bidding to claim their place alongside these sporting greats.
The coach behind generations of South African swimming talent is Rocco Meiring, Head Coach of Tuks Swimming at the University of Pretoria, who presides over what has come to be known as South Africa’s ‘Pool of Gold’. Meiring is one of the world’s most strategic coaches across any sport, leveraging decades of experience and a no-nonsense approach to craft a squad with the potential to shine in Paris and produce future superstar athletes.
“The outside lane of the pool is the most difficult position to compete from, relative to the centre lanes. Swimmers need to work extra hard to overcome this disadvantage – a metaphor for the South African swimmers who have to go beyond to become world beaters,” explains Series Director Richard Finn Gregory. “22% of all our Olympic
medals since readmission – 16 of 37 – were won in the pool, and we’re working with a fraction of the resources of teams like the USA. It shouldn’t be a fair fight but the indomitable South African spirit, incredible natural talent and the world-class expertise of Coach Rocco all combine to deliver swimmers who are punching well above their weight”.
Outside Lane premieres on DStv Premium on M-Net (Channel 101) on Thursday 15 August at 8pm and will also be available on DStv Catch Up and DStv Stream.