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Initially, I studied and became a sports scientist because I love sport. The last few weeks have helped me to remember that more than ever as I’ve been glued to the Olympic Games – The Greatest Show on Earth!
On occasion, this has been sports I have a true passion for, especially track and field, but like many of us I’ve also been found cheering on skeet shooting, skateboarding and speed climbing like a seasoned fan.
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This Olympic fever culminated this weekend with 48 hrs in the City of Love where I had the pleasure of watching an evening athletics session and the men’s marathon. This isn’t a post about the sports science I witnessed. I of course did keep an eye on warmups, cooling strategies, and intra-competition nutrition but it was the spirit of the Olympics that really struck me.
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While in Paris, the sense of community and togetherness was, at times, almost emotional. All fans wearing their colours with pride, sharing good spirits and supporting one and all. Of course, cheering on medallists is amazing, and getting to see three GB medals, including silver for KJT (one of my highlights of the Games) was brilliant. But seeing a standing ovation in the women’s 1500 m for an athlete finishing nearly two laps behind the winner must’ve been enough to melt the stoniest of hearts!
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I know it’s all a little cliché, and it’s perhaps easy to be caught up in it when you’re there but, although the Olympics isn’t perfect, it really can shine as a beacon of hope!
Only just over 200 weeks until LA!
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T.Brownlee@bham.ac.uk