Roger Black warns of ‘burden of expectation’ on Olympic hopefulsMay 7 2008
by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post
OLYMPIC medal winner Roger Black has warned against heaping the burden of expectation upon the next generation of British athletes.
The prospect of the Olympics being held in London in 2012 is being used as a focal point for a number of sporting initiatives to get more people taking part – and more of them competing at the highest level. But former 400 metres runner Black, who will be in Liverpool on Friday as the guest speaker at the NSPCC’s Safe Place Appeal sporting lunch, believes there is a danger in building up the hopes of up and coming young athletes.
“It is all right talking about how good some of our athletes could be, but then they can be in for quite a shock when they come up against world class talent, like at an Olympics,” explained the man who finished second to one of the world’s greatest athletes in Michael Johnson in the 400 metres at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. “It is about managing expectations and not putting people under too much pressure.”
Black, who represented Great Britain for 14 years, believes there is plenty of interest in athletics, but that recent headlines concerning drugs use is not helping.
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“There are still plenty of youngsters joining the local athletics clubs and hopefully the London Olympics will help raise awareness even further, but the stories about drugs is not helping,” he said. “It is casting something of a shadow over the sport and means the wrong kind of headlines. There is also a lot of talk about how much the Games in London is costing and whether everything is on track, but that is not unusual around a major sporting event.
“Hopefully nearer the times we will be able to concentrate on the performances.”
Black had an impressive CV during his running career, which included wins in 15 major championships including European, Commonwealth and World but had plenty of hurdles to overcome along the way as injuries took their toll.
“My career was a case of success, then setback, success, then setback again,” added Black, who was actually diagnosed with a leaking valve in his heart while still at school. “It is something I have lived with throughout my life, but it is something the doctors have always monitored.”
Black, who has carved out a career as a highly respected athletics commentator since his track days came to an end, believes the ability to deal with adversity is one of the key factors.
“Obviously you need to have been fortunate enough to have been born with a talent,” he adds. “But on top of that you need to be passionate about what you are doing, learn how to deal with the knocks while staying focussed on the prizes you are aiming for.
“I was also fortunate enough to train with people like Daley Thomspon and Kris Akabusi, and their enthusiasm certainly rubbed off. You have got to be dedic-ated to your sport because compared with sports such as football, athletes are not going to make masses of money.”
Black believes British hopes remain high for medals at this summer’s Olympics in Bejing.
“On paper we look to have several good chances,” he said. “But it is about delivering when it matters.
“After what happened in the last Games, it would be a great story to see Paula Radcliffe win something. In the heptathlon, Kelly Sotherton and Jessica Ennis will be hoping to capitalise on the absence of Carolina Kluft.”
The Sporting Lunch is being held at the Crowne Plaza with tables of 10 costing £950.