Monday 29 August 2011

Inspirational performances.....

It has been a lovely bank holiday weekend here in the UK with some great sporting events to watch. We had the Belgian grand prix with a great result for Michael Schumacher, and some fabulous driving from a sporting legend. Then the World Three Day Eventing championships from Germany with some wonderful performances from some of the older competitors, one of the few sports where the over 50's can compete on a even footing at international level, and of course the World Athletics Championships from Deagu with some amazing performances, particularly in the 400 metres, and particularly from Oscar Pistorias the South African double lower leg amputee competing against able bodied athletes and managing to reach the semi-final. Truly inspirational stuff.

I'm not sure what it is about sports men and women that really works for me. Perhaps it is my own experience as a young man. I was always heavily into sports, playing rugby at county level, swimming at national level, and competing as a horse rider at junior international level. I know the commitment that is required to be competitive at the upper levels of most sports and the sacrifices that have to be made, and I revel in the hard work that is required. In my case, my sporting career was cut short by injury, but I still try to maintain my involvement in sport both as a spectator and as a competitor at less physical events. There is something about the single minded dedication that is required that for me is something that we could all benefit from. That sense of purpose, the sense of competition and the humility and suppression of ego that comes from understanding that there are times when all you can give is your best, and there are times when that will simply not be enough.

It may seem surprising that an athlete would consider suppression of ego to be a benefit. We are so used to seeing super-egos in the press, but I guarantee that in order to be the best, and to have that ego, there has been tremendous pain and suffering and humiliation along the way, and that process is what I think makes us stronger. To know and acknowledge weaknesses and strengths and to have the dedication to overcome them and drive forward is a wonderful thing. I raise a toast to all of those men and women who find the passion and drive to strive to be the best, not just in the field of sporting endeavour, but in any walk of life, from stay at home parents dedicating their lives to their children to business leaders driving the economy with their passion and commitment to political leaders making supreme sacrifices for the betterment of society.

To anyone who goes out of their way, and outside their comfort zone, may your strength never diminish and your passion never die, and may you continue to inspire and lead and motivate, and to those who are considering whether they have the strength to make those commitments, the only way to find out is to try.....

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