Robin Sieger Blog

The Olympics now seem like a distant memory, except for the British nation, you see we won more medals than ever before 19 Golds, in fact we even beat Australia, which though no big deal, has been a cause for national celebration.

There has long been a common frustration in Britain, you see we are very very good at inventing sports then the other nations of the world, take them up and kick our butts on a regular basis.  We invent tennis, yet a British player has not won a major title since the men played in short pants. Soccer our national pride and joy, has been re-invented as a stunning sporting spectacle by the Brazilians (England have only one the world Cup once) . Golf, us Scots invented it (don’t bother mentioning the Dutch game of Kolf more like hockey – which we also invented by the way) but have little major silverware to show for it. The list goes on and on, but the question I have been asked is why did we suck quite so bad.

I have two theories, (neither very scientific), when I was a kid at school, the key message all the teachers drummed into our little noggins, was in sport the important thing was to play the game well, and be a good sport and play by the rules. The rationale was in the final analysis you will not be remembered for wining or losing, but how you played the game. It was I imagine a metaphor for life itself but don’t quote me on that. As a result, I have enjoyed some of the most courteous encounters of my life during both team and individual pursuits. Once when playing rugby I was tackled hard and knocked to the ground just  prior to half the opposing team running over me, I opened my eyes to see the fellow who had tackle me help me to my feet and check that I was OK.

My second theory is we are a nation that has never had the proper infrastructure that was able to nurture talent, past Olympic winners tell tales of great personal investment both in terms of time , money and parental support.

However the past 10 years funding from the National Lottery has changed that, and a thorough programme of supporting talent has gained this miraculous turnaround in our Olympic fortunes.

No matter what business you are in or role you have, make sure you have the infrastructure and back office set up to support you otherwise, other than playing the game well, you are not going to have a lot to show for it.

Share This