Focus on Performance Gains Key Says Cram

 

by Rebecca Roberts - 01.03.10

As the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games came to a close over the weekend, English Institute of Sport (EIS) Chairman Steve Cram MBE reflects on the performances over the Games and the work put into the cycle from athletes, coaches and support staff.

“Having seen our British athletes put their all into their performance, their teams of support staff both out here and back watching in the UK must now collect and begin the process of reviewing where and how performance gains can be made over the next cycle” he said.

Amy Williams claimed Britain’s only medal at the Games, a gold in the women’s skeleton, and is part of British Skeletons’ successful programme which has produced two Olympic medallists, World and European champions over the past 4 years. Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said UK Sport funding and EIS sport science and medical support were key in her success (read here), whilst Cram insists the programmes use of support services has paid off.

“Amy Williams’ gold medal was a tribute to her unrivalled determination and commitment but also her programme which helped contribute to her fantastic achievement” he said.

Having worked with EIS Performance Psychologist Deirdre Angella over the past cycle (read more here), Williams’ focus throughout her runs highlighted her mental preparation.

“Keeping controlled and focused, she has allowed a pure focus on performance, trusting her own ability, the work she has done and the thrill of sliding” Angella said after Williams’ medal winning performance.

Along with performance psychology, EIS’s Head of Physiotherapy Chris Price and Strength & Conditioning Coach Danny Holdcroft worked with the skeleton squad leading up to and throughout the Games ensuring athletes were ready for competition.

You can read Holdcroft’s ‘Day in the Life’ feature as a sport science practitioner working within a performance programme here, whilst you can read more about Amy’s performance psychology preparation here and a ‘Day in the Life’ feature she wrote about her preparation for the Games here.

As with many major events, weather conditions forced athletes to maintain their competitive focus and physical condition as they waited to compete. EIS physiology and psychology experts looked at the ‘Difference a Day Makes’ for athletes competing at the highest level, whilst EIS performance nutritionists looked at the importance of hydration in the colder climates of Vancouver (here).

Both the men’s and women’s curling teams had highs and lo’s against world leaders Canada and Sweden which saw them exit the running, whislt Britain’s Bobsleigh athletes couldn’t convert their preparation into podium positions, with a number of runs crashing out on the fast course. eis2win.co.uk looked at World Champion Nicola Minichiello’s strength and conditioning preparations leading up to the Games here.

Photography © Getty Images