SportsPsychologist.com Blog by Dr Victor Thompson

With the not-to-surprising news that Paula Radcliffe has withdrawn from the Olympic Marathon due to a foot injury , I thought again about why this happens. For Paula’s fans, it is disappointing – though it will be much more gutting for Paula. Some of our most vivid memories of Paula are of Athens in 2004, where she stopped at the 36Km mark of the Olympic Marathon in floods of tears. Doesn’t it seem obvious to us all that athletes should just avoid becoming injured, when injuries can rule them out of competing at their best, or even competing at all? If this is obvious for us fans, why then don’t athletes ‘get it’? I believe the answer to this is that injuries aren’t always clear to an athlete and important factors get in the way of an athlete managing potential or actual injuries. Plus, this situation is compounded during an Olympic year. First of all, what is an injury? An easy example is something that stops an athlete, such as a runner, from running. Okay, but what...

London 2012's chairman, Sebastian Coe, told a news conference at Kew Gardens: "I am delighted to announce the motto 'Inspire a generation'. With 100 days to go to the start of the Games, millions of people are getting ready to do the best work of their lives and welcome the world this summer. Expectations are high and we won't disappoint." The 2012 Olympics in London will be great for many who watch (on TV, or in-person for the lucky ones with tickets). We will watch great performances and see missed opportunities. But will it ‘Inspire a generation?’ For me this will demonstrated in 2 ways With more athletes involved in sport staying the course, reaching international standards in competition (European, World, Olympic championships)   With more people becoming more active, reaching the Government / NHS DoH targets for activity, halting the increase in sedentary lifestyles and associated ill-health in the general (non-sporting) population Whil...

Training is something Olympic and non-Olympic athletes do most, if not every, day of the week. A single day can have 2, 3 or more training sessions. This regularity and routine can become a problem if it, well, becomes routine.  By this I mean if you are not focussed on the important elements during your training sessions, then you are likely to get less from them. For example, as a swimmer, are you really focussed on your stroke, biomechanics, pacing... in this length of your swim set, or are you aware of your swimming, but also swimming somewhat mindlessly? Ensure that you are focussed on the important elements in your training sessions, to get more out of them, to improve quicker, to maximise your preparedness for your event (Olympic or otherwise). Be more focussed Get more quality Improve faster Victor www.sportspsychologist.com