August 19th 2008

HAVANT HOCKEY CLUB

spectator
EDITOR  brian lovegrove
brianlovegrove@frederique.fsnet.co.uk

BEIJING OLYMPICS

AN EARLY RETROSPECTIVE

Great Britain’s Olympic success has come about as the result of a lot hard work and dedication backed up with tremendous financial support.
 Away from those we see on television, their coaches and managers, there are those who are not seen, creating the atmosphere in which those who are actually doing the winning, do it in a relaxed manner as is possible.
 Anyone who thinks that the road to winning any medal is easy, have now realised that it is not. Good organisation, with people doing their job well, preparing the performers, does not just happen, it has to be worked on, just as much as a training routine.
 As someone who was involved in the national championships of a sport for ten years, those with whom you work, were expected to do it well, creating the conditions which run smoothly, and wasting energy on frustration kept to an absolute minimum.

  All the sports who took part should look back on what has been achieved, making sure that if at all possible, any rough edges can be smoothed out. Of course they won’t be, because rough diamonds help create conditions, creating momentum.
 Success comes from being frustrated to a certain extent, but it has to be controlled, by keeping individual personalities having preparation geared to them. Disregard must never happen.
 Personal problems must never be taken to the starting line. They should be sorted out along the way, and not allowed to build.
Of all the attributes needed by a team, communication is of utmost importance, because if people do not talk to one another, relaxation will never come about.

Brian Lovegrove

19th August 2008