I really hope that several clubs have been inspired to help young people embrace sport of any manner in this post Olympic period. Everyone was so happy and motivated during the games themselves and it certainly gave our country a little boost with the amount of medals that were picked up. Still being motivated by the paralympics, these athletes are outstanding!
I love all the post event interviews with the competitors and some quotes really struck a chord with me. (sorry can't remember all their names, just the events they were said at)
'I know what I can do and I never doubt myself' Usain Bolt (before the 200m sprint semi-final)
We are all filled with self doubt at some points in our life. It is usually when we have bitten off more than we can chew though. The secret is to take on what we know we can achieve. There is nothing wrong with punching above our weight as long as there is advice we can seek, a training course we can attend in order to achieve what we set out to do. I am often bustling about and think that one of these days I may drop some or all of these balls I am juggling. It never happens and indeed I thrive on deadlines! I wouldn't apply for a job I wasn't capable off though or one I though I couldn't give 100% to. If we know what we can do, we should never doubt ourselves.
'Anybody can do anything, I've just proved that' Heather Stanning (first British medal winner for rowing)
I think this is a great quote. I have always maintained that anybody can do anything if they put enough effort into it.
My own coach in Wee County Harriers said much the same to me when I was envious of someone and flattering them saying at least they had it in them. Coach said 'Everyone has it in them Liz, you have it in you. Just lift your head and think of the scenery, your dinner waiting, anything to take your mind off the pain when you are tired near the end of a run. You will get stronger, get faster.' I think of these word often when the going gets tough and it does somehow (sometimes!) make things easier.
'I just ran faster, trained harder, my body got used to it and this was the result (women's 200m)
This just repeats the message from above and shows that these athletes all have the same thing in common, a vision, a focus but also a commitment to achieve their goals. It also reminds me that the body and the mind are absolutely amazing and can endure so much. I can highly recommend Alistair Urquhart's book The Forgotten Highlander to show what the body can withstand and survive. Alistair was a prisoner of war of the Japanese and was starved, tortured and made to walk miles and work long hours with nothing but some water in his body. I have heard Alistair, who is now 92, talking at events and he was an inspiration to me. When he came back from the war he went on to be a very successful businessman and high achiever. After what he endured I bet nothing was a problem to him. It was such an honour to meet him.
'It takes hard work and grafting' Mo Farah (after winning 5000m final)
What can I say? Nothing comes easy in life, everything has its price. I was brought up with a really strong work ethic. My parents, although Scottish, were of Irish grandparents who had come across to the Borders to seek work. The Irish in Scotland at that time always felt they had to work harder than everyone else to get the same opportunities. They though everyone was down on them, and maybe some people were. After all, they were looking for jobs and even at that time these may have been scarce. History has repeated this with lots of ethnic groups since who have gone on to be high achievers in school and in careers.
I always remember my mum saying 'hard work never killed anyone' and I always likened myself to the horse in Animal Farm whose byline in times of strife was 'I will just work harder'. I will ignore the fact that said horse ended up in the knackers yard when he could work no longer!
My son has inherited the same values and already seems to be passing them on to his daughters who are working hard in school.
'Keep focused and keep the eye on the prize' (women's 200m sprint)
This was the British athlete who was the favourite to win and was disappointed not to get a medal. And shows we can't lose focus even for a second if we want to stay in the game. It is so easy to do - Illness, loss, troubles at home and changes at work can all add to this loss of focus. Other posts have covered how I deal with this so I will not repeat. All I will say on this is that whenever I feel like slackening the reins a little, I think of what I have already achieved in life. I don't want to be like the old pop stars who regroup for anther comeback concert just for the money. I can't, I won't do that. I will stay focused and give my 100% to the end!!
