Icon - Sports & Business

Olympic stars give an insight into highs and lows of life as a world class performer

17 March 2011

Creating a winning culture, establishing effective working relationships and being innovative to steepen the learning curve is key to high-level success.

 

Former Olympic badminton coach Andy Wood and Olympians Gail Emms and Donna Kellogg were the guest speakers at the event, and shared their thoughts on the highs and lows of life as a world class performer and what it takes to reach the top.

During the interactive session Andy said that although badminton is an individual sport, the players always prepare as a team and push each other on.

He told the audience: “You can’t carry weaknesses when you are at the top. Many athletes want to concentrate on working on their strengths and there is a constant battle to get them to work on their weaknesses.”

Andy was head coach for the Great Britain badminton team at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics, and has worked with Donna and her former doubles partner Gail for a number of years.

Gail won gold at both the 2006 World Championships and 2004 European Championships and silver at the 2004 Olympic Games partnering Nathan Robertson, while Donna won gold at the 2008 European Championships with partner Anthony Clark and silver at the 2006 World Championships.

During the well-attended session guests also heard Andy, Donna and Gail talk about the value of short and long-term goal setting, dealing with the low points when things don’t go as planned and the importance of having the right support network – including financial support.

Gail said: “When I was 14 and 15 I was literally begging for lifts to tournaments because money was so tight.

“Having that financial help gives you a feeling of appreciation and that someone is thinking of you. Funding also eases the pressure and is a weight off your mind which allows you to concentrate on your sport.”

The business breakfast was held at the Holiday Inn Derby Riverlights, which sponsored the event, on March 17.

It was the first organised by Derbyshire Sport as part of ICON - a scheme which brings sport and businesses together with the aim of creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games in Derbyshire.

Guest also heard from Derbyshire Sport Director David Joy, who gave an overview of the ICON initiative, and from Derventio eXcel swimmers Molly Renshaw and Christopher Steeples and archer Thomas Taylor, from Etwall, who are among the 159 athletes who have this year received a bursary from funds raised through ICON.
 
David said that with less than 500 days to go to the opening of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games partners in the county were working hard to create a lasting legacy in Derbyshire from the Games.

He said: “Over the next few months sport is going to enjoy a heightened profile, and we want to take full advantage of that. Through ICON we hope that workplaces will become more active, and more businesses will contribute to our vision for Derbyshire to become one of the most active and successful sporting counties in England by 2020.

“We also want to encourage businesses to really get behind the county’s young sporting talent, and support those aiming to compete at the 2012 or 2016 Olympics, and others who are competing on the world stage.”

A number of organisations have already pledged to support ICON, including B2B Mobile (UK) Limited, Community Sports Trust, Cooper Parry, Derby College, Derby County FC, Derby Telegraph, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Derwent Media Group, Geldards, John Felix Films, Lonsdale Swimming and Sports Trust, Marketing Derby, Nuffield Health Derby Hospital, Origination, Rolls-Royce, Smith Cooper, University of Derby and Venture Inspection Ltd.

All the local authorities in Derbyshire are also supporting the initiative.

To find out more about ICON go to www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/icon (opens in a new window)