An athlete’s journey to the Olympics is never easy. Nor is it short. To be an Olympian means to push every boundary, to dig deep into the reservoirs of soul and mind, to compete with every ounce of energy.
How then do we inspire a new generation and the next one to undertake the Odyssey to the Olympic Games? To put aside distractions and stay the course—a course that is filled with obstacles. The temptations to slip into mediocrity and to lower the performance bar is ever present, the road to excellence—sustained excellence—is not a crowded one.
Just one year ago in London, T&T created its own Olympic history with four Olympic medals representing the most ever since the red, black and white first participated in the global multi-sport event way back in 1948. How do we build on London 2012?
Good structure provides a framework in which excellence can flourish: NSO and the Olympic Committee’s job is to remove obstacles from the pathway to success.
In this context, ten gold medals by the year 2024 is more than just a medal objective. If it were, it would be doomed to fail. It first has to be a culture, a mindset, an attitude, a life experience and a process.
It can’t be rhetoric, wishful thinking or a half-hearted effort.
Ten gold medals by 2024 is also about transparency and accountability—a yardstick and a benchmark.
A guide and fence line that says excellence lives here. It’s a challenge to live an uncommon life—a step-by-step progression where sportsmen and women improve every day and compete up to their potential, understanding that a little improvement each day makes a big difference over time.
Ten gold medals by 2024 is intentional—setting the right priorities and doing the things that matter most.
In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell said: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.”
How to unlock a winning mindset?
You have to work at it. A winning mentality is built up over a period of time. It’s not a case of being born with a good attitude and work ethic.
You have to surround yourself with people that have accountability inside of them. They want to win every single day. High standards have to be set.
Sport leaders, coaches, managers and administrators set the tone for a winning mentality. They create a winning environment.
Young people thrive in an enjoyable atmosphere, one that encourages hard work and preparation.
How do we instill the drive to keep going every single year, to keep winning titles, trophies and medals...that relentless nature that winning habit?
Winners understand it isn’t always going to go their way. You will face adversity, but you can’t get too down when you are losing or get too carried away when you are winning.
The right mindset comes from having a belief in your ability and the confidence to overcome difficult moments.
You need people who will set an example with how they behave, act and train.
Faster. Higher. Stronger—Citius. Altius. Fortius.
The globally recognised Olympic Games is the showpiece event. The pinnacle.
What’s the master plan for the showpiece?
Brian Lewis is President of the Olympic Committee. For info on Olympism and the Olympic Games visit www.ttoc.org.