Education
University of Pretoria.
University of Pretoria.
Born in Pretoria, Schoeman first took an interest in the sport when he was 13, and began to compete three years later. He has said that he began swimming to show a girl how interested he was in her. He set new South African records in the 100 m Freestyle (4869 s), 50 m Freestyle (2204 s), 100 m Butterfly (5273 s) and 50 m Butterfly (2365 s) events.
He also claimed golds in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
Schoeman, who is asthmatic, was voted the African Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World in 2004, 2005 and 2006. And the South African Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
He was elected South African Sports Star of the Year in 2004. He also claimed a silver in 100 m freestyle.
In December 2005, Schoeman turned down a 40 Million Rand (United States$59 million) contract to swim for Qatar.
He stated reasons of national pride for turning down the offer and that hearing the South African national anthem and sharing the joy of his victories with his fellow South Africans is what made winning gold special. He also made the final of the 50 m and 100 m freestyle and was part of the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay team that finished fourth. On 6 September 2008 Roland Schoeman set a new short course meters world record of 20.64 at South African Nationals.
Schoeman, lost his world record in late 2008 but regained his record.
At the Short Course World Record at South Africa Championships, Schoeman swam a 20.30 seconds of the 50 meter freestyle short course (25 m pool). best times
Schoeman has broken three long course world records (two individual, one relay) and six short course world records (all individual). In 2004 he was inducted into the University of Pretoria Sport Hall of fame.
At the 2007 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne Australia he successfully defended his 50m butterfly title.
