Starting from scratch yet again, Ross not quick enough to beat traffic
Dan Silkstone
November 13, 2008
HE SHOULD be the fastest man in Australia - he still believes he is, but Joshua Ross has a habit of running into trouble.
He also has a habit of getting a little bit lost. Yesterday at the launch of a book celebrating the history of the Stawell Gift, Ross - who graces the cover - was a tardy guest of honour. The 27-year-old held up proceedings as he arrived 10 minutes late, lost in traffic in the heart of his new home town, Melbourne.
It has been a nightmare year in which the man many judge as Australia’s most talented sprinter has spent much of his time lost and wandering. After heading to Europe for a long campaign, Ross struggled with depression and homesickness, changing coach three times and missing selection for the Beijing Olympics. Now, he says, he is back and flying.
“I’m loving it here. I’ve been in Melbourne for six weeks, training with Adam Larcom, and everything is going well,” he said. "There’s a lot of new things I’m doing in the gym and on the track, and I feel very fresh.
“The things I am doing in training, I am freaking myself out, as well as Adam. I have got the right genetics, the right attitude and the right dedication. There’s no reason I can’t be up with the best in the world.”
After struggling for motivation this year, Ross considered walking away from the sport, and spent three months off the training track, partying and relaxing with friends in Sydney. He did not even watch this year’s national championships where the 100 metres title he had won four consecutive times was inherited by Otis Gowa. He could barely tune in again during the Beijing Olympics, shattered after failing to qualify for an individual spot and left out of the team when Athletics Australia decided not to contest the relay.
“It was tough to watch, not being there, I just didn’t have the motivation to watch it,” he said.
“For the first time in a long time I have got stability in my life. I am just living and breathing and eating athletics, and I’m loving it.”
The world titles are the goal but in the meantime a return to Stawell - where has not raced for two years - is on the cards.
With a diamond earing glistening, a swagger in his step and a lot of ground to make up, Ross is talking confidently, but making up ground has not been a problem for a man accustomed to winning from scratch.