Inspired to Succeed

Home / Blog / Inspired to Succeed

- Aug 5, 2011

Hi and welcome to Blog number 2. This is still a relatively new experience for me and whilst sitting down to write something that may be of interest to some of you I have decided to include a mixture of (what I think are) interesting thoughts. 

I will start with the concept of 'Inspiration'. This is a word that many may have differing opinions on what it should reflect or symbolise. Inspiration can be sought as a motivation to achieve, or can be used to make us reflect and re-light a fire that may have gone out within. I think that Abraham Lincoln captured what it means when he said "That some achieve great success, is proof to all, that others can achieve it as well." I honestly believe that this encompasses the meaning of inspiration - achievement in any form can be a motivation for others to strive for success, be it in the form of a gold medal, or an every day task that others may see as mundane. 

I have chosen to relate my recent inspiration after watching an episode of Top Gear on sunday night (31/07/11). The episode featured a team of soldiers from the British Army who had received horrific injuries while on tour in Afghanistan. These injuries however have not stopped these truly inspirational men from continuing to live life to the full and certainly has not put a stop to their ability to achieve. Without wanting to re-tell the whole episode (I have added a link to the story) the soldiers are now training to compete as a team in the forthcoming 'Dakar Rally'. This 'rally-raid' as it is known, to the non expert, is an insane combination of endurance, teamwork, endeavour passion and skill. The rally covers a range of intense off road conditions Covering more than 5,500 miles in just 15 days and this year is (for the second time) being held in South America covering Argentina and Chile. I do urge you to look it up - its not for the faint hearted! The soldiers will certainly have their work out, and even getting to the stage where being able to compete is now a certainty, their story is already an inspiration. 

I could talk all day about the inspiration that can be found from human beings that have had to live life to the full in the face of adversity. I have managed to dig out another quote I feel worth mentioning - Helen Keller, who was famous for her many achievements despite being blind and deaf. Helen once said "optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence". Again, another simple sentence that really suggests how we have to look at the positives in life. 

I am lucky enough to be working on a number of Paralympic qualifying events for next summers 2012 Games, in the shape of the Stoke Mandeville Open (Paralympic Archery Qualifier) and the IPC Shooting (Paralympic Shooting Qualifier, also being held at the iconic Stoke Mandeville Stadium). Of course I have always been able to understand the achievements of Paralympians, but it wasn't until recently when I really decided to think more deeply about what these athletes have been through to make it to the top of their sport. I think it was a mixture of a humbling experience at a cancer research event on saturday and the viewing of Top Gears episode, displaying the British soldiers drive to succeed in the rally.

This brings me on to a question that has many opinionated answers: should a Paralympic athlete who has got to the level required, be allowed to compete at the Olympics? This debate has arisen since Oscar Pistorius clocked a time of 45.07 seconds in a 400 meter race in Italy. This time has caused great debate as it is .18 seconds within what is known as the 'A' standard time - Olympic qualifying time.

Should Oscar be allowed to compete in the Olympics? 

There is no right or wrong answer at the moment. There are arguments that sit on either side of the fence, and lets just clarify, they are nothing to do with being prejudice. Should an athlete, who's ability to compete is enhanced by technology be allowed to compete against athletes that are not allowed any performance enhancing additions to their current 'make up'? 

However, are sports science tools that are used to aid athletes in training, not the same as Oscar using the infamous 'blades' when he runs? 

Food for thought.... 

On the subject of sports science equipment, there is a whole host of gadgets and products on the market that athletes currently use to monitor and aid their performance. I am currently involved with the distribution of a simple yet effective device called Jumpmat. We are currently selling to elite level coaches that want a product that can be used in any environment, be it outside or inside, with or without power. Jumpmat allows for this, and is proving pretty accurate as well, with the EIS recently trialling it and measuring its accuracy (currently Jumpmat achieves results accurate to within 5mm of a Forceplate). Is this type of device, which can be used to stop athletes training past the point of exhaustion (by measuring power/energy output), classed as a performance enhancing device? If it is helping players improve their strength & power by monitoring improvements and allowing for tailored sessions to develop specific strengths, is it not the same as athletes such as Oscar using blades to allow them to run?

We will never come to a point where everyone 100% agrees with whether or not an athlete like Oscar should compete in the Olympics, but what i'm sure we can all begin to understand is the ultimate achievement that is the human ability to compete and continue to achieve greatness in the face of adversity. 

"Determination, patience and courage are the only things needed to improve any situation."