“It’s not just about how talented you are”

“It’s not just about how talented you are”

As a long-time fan of athletics, I am thrilled to witness the upcoming Olympic Games and the exciting stories that are sure to unfold. From a British perspective, I am particularly looking forward to watching Molly Caudery in the pole vault, Dina Asher-Smith’s dominance in the sprints, and Keely Hodgkinson’s potential victory in the women’s 800m. The men’s 1500m is set to be a thrilling race with the rivalry between Josh Kerr from Great Britain and Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.


What will be the big stories in the athletics at these Games?

From a British perspective, keep an eye on Molly Caudery in the pole vault competition, and Dina Asher-Smith is shaping up to be strong contenders for the sprint events. I’m rooting for Keely Hodgkinson in the women’s 800 meters. In the men’s 1500 meters this year, we have an exciting rivalry unfolding between Josh Kerr from Great Britain and Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

Does a great rivalry help to make athletes better?

With numerous top-performing athletes in the field, they motivate and challenge each other. In the sprint events, mental strategies play a significant role, whereas long-distance races allow the strongest athlete to emerge, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect.

I’m really excited about the introduction of new sports at this year’s Olympics! As someone who has always been passionate about athletics and physical activities, I love discovering new things that challenge both the human body and spirit. Having grown up playing a variety of sports myself, I can appreciate the dedication and skill required to excel in any discipline. So, I’m looking forward to watching these new events unfold and cheering on the athletes as they make history at the Games!

The Games is the premier global stage for debuting novel sports, provided they represent the peak achievement in that particular field. In my opinion, sports like golf may not fit this criterion since the Olympics would not signify the most prestigious title in golf.

“It’s not just about how talented you are”

What sets Olympic athletes apart?

Based on my own experiences and observations, I firmly believe that raw talent and hard work are essential components of achieving success, but they are not the only factors. There’s a third element that often gets overlooked: the amount of investment one is willing to make in their passion or endeavor.

You had to drop out of the marathon at Athens 2004. How did you recover mentally?

When Sally Gunnell didn’t quite meet my expectations at that moment, she consoled me with a comforting hug and words of wisdom: “You’ll forget all this when you have children.” I found it hard to believe her then, but looking back, she was absolutely right. Her encouragement helped me develop resilience, though it may have added unnecessary pressure to Beijing.

What’s your fitness regime now?

I make it a point to go for a run daily, while I weight train three times a week. My main goal isn’t exhaustion, but rather to refresh my mind and map out my plans for the day.

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2024-07-24 17:04