Paris 2024: strength, resilience, and passion

I love the Olympics. I mean, I REALLY love them. I always take 2 weeks off and park myself on the sofa from the opening to the closing ceremonies. The tele went on as soon as Jeanette and JJ sat on the sofa in the morning and went off when Claire and Gabby signed off in the evening.

I’ve shouted, screamed, jumped up and down, punched the air and cried countless times over the last 2 weeks and as my vitamin D deficient body turned off the tele after watching Tom abseil into the Stade de France (it was good but come on, be honest, it wasn’t the Queen and Bond was it?!), I thought about what I was taking from Paris 2024. 

Showing emotion is a strength, not a weakness

Speaking about their emotions was something many athletes in Paris were keen to do. Not just embracing their feelings by shedding a tear when they heard their anthem being played, but proper, heart on sleeve, telling it like it is emotion. This was perfectly illustrated by swimmer Adam Peaty, who, after narrowly missing out on a historic third consecutive gold in the 100m breaststroke, had an outpouring of emotion on winning silver. Peaty described the medal as a "victory" for him, reflecting on the personal battles he faced leading up to the Games. He highlighted the immense effort it took to return to top-level competition, showing that vulnerability and emotion are integral parts of any journey. By vocalising his struggles and triumphs, Peaty proved that emotions need not be a weakness, but a strength and demonstration of passion and dedication.

You’re never too old to chase your dreams

Paris 2024 brought together athletes of all ages, especially in the skateboarding! Enter Andy Macdonald, the veteran skateboarder who, at 51 years old, competed alongside athletes much less than half his age. In fact, every other member of the GB skateboarding squad was younger than his kids! Surrounded by a new generation of skateboarders, Macdonald’s presence was a reminder that passion and perseverance can keep you competitive at any age. It’s never too late to chase your dreams! 

Sometimes taking a step back allows you to come back stronger

Simone Biles' incredible performance at the Olympics this year is proof to the power of rest and recovery - mental as well as physical. After stepping away from competition following the Tokyo 2020 Games to focus on her mental health, Biles was a force to be reckoned with in Paris. Her dominant performances, winning multiple medals, showed that taking time out to heal and regroup can lead to even greater success. Biles' journey highlights the importance of prioritising mental well-being and the strength that comes from knowing when to step back to come back stronger.

Never underestimate the power of positive words

And now to my favourite event of the Games – the Triathlon. Ooft! That swim, or rather the current of the Seine, was brutal! Anyway, during the men’s triathlon, Alex Yee of Team GB experienced first-hand the power of an encouraging word. As he struggled during the run, he heard a shout from the crowd that lifted his spirits—it was former Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, who yelled out in support at about 2.5 km when Yee was struggling to find his rhythm. That simple yet powerful encouragement gave him the boost he needed to push through the pain and secure the gold. There are a few things to note here - this is a powerful reminder that sometimes, a few positive words can make all the difference but also, how important the position of the camera is at the end of a race because just before that final bend, I honestly thought the French guy in third was gaining on him!

The post-Olympic blues have definitely hit me hard today. But I’m already looking forward to the future. The planning for Los Angeles 2028 has already begun, and we’ve even gone a step further—our accommodation for Brisbane 2032 is now secured before anyone else could bag our friends’ spare room! Gold medal planning, I reckon!