David Hemery was, on paper, the slowest competitor in the 400 meter hurdles in Mexico City. Likewise, he was English, not from a "running superpower." After he emerged victorious in record time, he undertook a series of interviews with champions, culminating in Sporting Excellence: What Makes a Champion.
But he's not solely focused on winning and losing. "Sport provides us a wealth of experiences from which to learn and grow."
Hemery, like I, shared that he views sport as a microcosm of life. "It is the extremes of emotion that give you your deepest experiences in life, and sport did that for me."
It's also partly why we coach.
Here are a few excerpts:
"Introduce your youngsters to a variety of sports...let the youngsters have the final decisions to push themselves." Carl Lewis excelled at youth soccer, Wayne Gretzy was Ontario schools champion in the 800 and 1500 meters.
"As you train so will you compete...commitment to consistency of practice is vital...our limitations are often self-imposed."
Hemery said that his coach Billy Smith would put his hand on his own leg saying, "I can't feel a thing, let's get on with the next repetition." Trust allows you to continue, to build the mental toughness to go on.
"Trying to rush back too soon after illness or injury can set you back."
"Prepare for life after sport."
"Many top performers were late developers." More than 70 percent of track and field performers fell into this category. Race car champion Jackie Stewart didn't start until age 23.
"Risk-taking means accepting personal responsibility to 'go for it'."
"Courage is seen by overcoming fear...confident commitment in body and mind."
"Parents are role models, so we must behave the way we want our children to behave."
"Overambitious parents will tend to kill the interest and enthusiasm in their children."
"Introversion can help the performer who must spend hours of practice time on their own." Recall Mia Hamm's famous will to train alone.
"High priority must be given to mutual and personal respect."
"Many good coaches are uncompromising on the field, but genuinely care about the wellbeing of the performer off the field."
"The most value of all will come from asking the performer about their experiences."
"Maintaining the performer's enthusiasm in the most important element for the coach." Bring energy and energize the trainees.
"Solutions aren't written in stone- each person and situation needs monitoring, assessment, and enabling."
"Leaders share their vision, goals, and strategic direction."
"The most able leaders have flexible styles."
"Silence in a team does not imply assent."
"A great deal of positive energy could be released if we put performers' development at the top of our priority organizational planning."
"Ownership comes out of discussion, not imposition." (Collaborate)
"Willingness to admit ignorance is helpful for the leader and the team."
"If ownership is taken away, it ends up with nobody owning the problem!"
"Competitiveness seems to be innate...a performer who doesn't mind losing is more likely to lose."
"Winners can be defined as those who try their hardest to do their best."
'Most top performers give something back in time and endorsements." Exceptional stories exist like Kenyan Kip Keino and his wife who took in over fifty abandoned and orphaned children.
Lagniappe. Expectations.
