Despite being a nation full of gym buffs, when it comes to competitive weightlifting Great Britain’s record is remarkably average. Since the rebirth of the Olympic movement back in 1896 we have won a total of seven medals – the last being a bronze from David Mercer in 1984 – and only a solitary gold, [...]
This week SportSpiel founder and co-host Alasdair Hooper writes about an athlete he describes as a pioneer, innovator and inspiration to all women. Pave the way. Three words that sound so simple but can mean so much. Those words can challenge prejudice, change society, alter stereotypes and make lives. If you are looking for a [...]
Photo credit: Mike Driscoll “I just felt like a failure. I thought I’d failed at what I’d been trying to do and not only had I not achieved what I wanted, I just didn’t feel able to do anything.” Being a professional athlete is a career full of extreme highs and, sometimes, extreme lows. No-one [...]
As the saying goes, just because someone is an exceptional player it doesn’t mean they will be a good manager or coach. There have been very few who have managed to transgress this stereotype - Pep Guardiola and Kenny Dalglish are two of a handful from football, while Andy Flower also did a pretty good [...]
This week guest writer Shona McCallin - Team GB Olympic hockey gold medalist - explains why Sport England and the This Girl Can campaign have been crucial in the quest to abolish negative stereotypes surrounding women in sport. What actually makes you sit back and think: 'Yeah, that's spot on’? Or, to put it more [...]
Photo credit: UK Sport Ask any British Olympic medalist the story behind their success and often they will tell you it’s down to help they received from others. While everyone has their own unique path, look closely into the journey of many athletes from the last 20 years and there will be one common contributory [...]
Photo credit: Alex Paske “It’s so important to be passionate about what you do. That’s what we tell every child we work with, whether that’s in sport or otherwise.” These are the words of Alex Paske, the founder of the Mintridge Foundation and winner of the 2018 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Grassroots Award. [...]
