 |
|
| James
ROBERTS |
| Sport |
Swimming |
| NOC |
Australia
|
| Gender | Men |
| Born | 11 Apr 1991
in Tweed Heads, AUS |
| Height | 1.94 m |
|
|
|
|
|
Further Personal Information |
Residence |
Gold Coast, QLD, AUS |
Higher education |
Advertising, Communications - University of Canberra: Australia |
General Interest |
Other sports |
He has competed in surf lifesaving at national level in Australia. (olympics.com.au, 25 Mar 2012) |
Famous relatives |
His grandfather Ron Roberts played rugby league for St. George in the New South Wales Rugby League [NSWRL] premiership. He was the league's top try scorer in 1949. He also represented New South Wales and Australia. (swimming.org.au, 01 May 2011) |
Sport Specific Information |
Why this sport? |
His sports teacher suggested he should start training. |
General Interest |
Hero / Idol |
Australian swimmer Ashley Callus. (swimming.org.au, 01 May 2011) |
Sport Specific Information |
When and where did you begin this sport? |
He took up competitive swimming at age 15 at Somerset Swimming Academy in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. |
General Interest |
Nicknames |
The Rocket, Jimmy, Roberts (results.gc2018.com, 01 Oct 2017; swimming.org.au, 26 May 2016; olympics.com.au, 25 Mar 2012) |
Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Don't count the days, make the days count." (swimming.org.au, 28 Nov 2013) |
Injuries |
In November 2017 he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis, but continued to participate in competitions including the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. (news.com.au, 17 Mar 2018)
In late 2014 and early 2015 he had operations on both shoulders. He was out of action for eight months. (swimswam.com, 02 Sep 2015)
He was troubled by an injury to a disc in his back following the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. It continued to cause him problems and contributed to him failing to make the squad for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (swimming.org.au, 06 Apr 2014; smh.com.au, 04 Apr 2014)
He was hospitalised due to a stomach virus and lost four kilograms in the weeks leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (couriermail.com.au, 01 May 2013) |
Further Personal Information |
Occupation |
Real Estate Agent, Sales |
Languages |
English |
General Interest |
Most influential person in career |
Coach Ashley Callus. (results.gc2018.com, 01 Oct 2017) |
Other information |
RETIREMENT
In December 2021 he announced his retirement from competitive sport. (Instagram profile, 31 Dec 2021; swimswam.com, 31 Dec 2021)
OCCUPATION
In August 2021 he left his coaching position at Somerset College in Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, and began working as a real estate agent. "After three shoulder reconstructions and various other health issues it had been getting harder and harder, so while I was happy with how I swam, in some ways it was probably a blessing in disguise. I took it as a sign that it was time for me to move on. Having been looking for a property myself, I thought why not give it a crack. I like communicating with people and helping someone to buy their dream home struck a chord with me. Hopefully some of the tools I've learned in my years swimming will help me out." (LinkedIn profile, 01 Feb 2022; realestate.com.au, 14 Aug 2021) |
Olympic Games |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 3 |
2016 |
Rio de Janeiro, BRA |
4 x 100m Freestyle Relay |
3:11.37 |
| 12 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
100m Freestyle |
48.57 |
| 4 |
2012 |
London, ENG |
4 x 100m Freestyle Relay |
3:11.63 |
World Championships |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| Heats |
2017 |
Budapest, HUN |
50m Freestyle |
22.29 |
| 4 |
2013 |
Barcelona, ESP |
4 x 100m Freestyle Relay |
3:11.58 |
| Semifinal |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
100m Freestyle |
48.49 |
| 2 |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
4 x 100m Medley Relay |
|
| 1 |
2011 |
Shanghai, CHN |
4 x 100m Freestyle Relay |
|
World Cup Short Course |
| Rank |
Year |
Venue |
Event |
Result |
| 3 |
2017 |
Berlin, GER |
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay |
1:30.83 |
| 5 |
2017 |
Berlin, GER |
4 x 50m Medley Relay |
1:41.14 |
| 2 |
2017 |
Eindhoven, NED |
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay |
1:30.72 |
| |
|
