Blog: From Calgary Preparation Camp

by Diana Benham, English Institute of Sport (EIS) Performance Operations Manager – 12.02.10

With 33 athletes leaving Calgary yesterday bound for Vancouver, the preparation camp is a much quieter place to be. Athlete’s don’t travel light, so along with 33 athletes comes almost 90 pieces of luggage.
 
The departure from Calgary Airport was as smooth as it could be thanks to the efforts of all of the British Olympic Association (BOA) HQ staff.

After the Opening Ceremony tonight the athletes will go to their respective bases for the next week or two either in Vancouver or Whistler. These next few days will be a time for the athletes to consolidate and finalise everything they have done over the last four years and, with the support and advice they have received throughout the cycle from a multitude of practitioners and organisations, plus the support assistance from the BOA over the past few weeks, we hope that they are in the best shape they could possibly be.

Although today is a quiet day in the camp we will be preparing to watch the Opening Ceremony tonight. It was great news to hear that Shelley Rudman will be the flag bearer. I am sure she, and the rest of the team, will do GB proud both tonight and over the next two weeks.

Best of British to everyone.

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previous blog: posted 11.02.10

As the countdown to the start of the Games approaches with pace, the mood at the preparation camp is one of excitement and anticipation but relaxed. Each Olympic cycle works towards this end point and to be so close to it starting (and ending) is a big prospect for athletes and support staff to contend with.

All the days, months and years put into perfecting performance culminates in this opportunity and the finishing touches are the tip of the iceberg to all those sessions in the gym, treatment room and training on the snow or ice.

EIS support staff back home who have worked with many of these athletes leading up to the Games will be glued to the TV as the Games begin, but will be keen to know how athletes are winding up to the competition – and I’m happy to say things seem to be doing just fine in Calgary!

For many, the final few weeks leading into a major event like this are about maintaining the physical condition you’re in to ensure you are peaking at the right time when you compete. Eating right, resting well and undergoing appropriate light training are usually what the sport science and medical experts prescribe.

At the camp I’ve seen EIS Head of Physiotherapy Chris Price, who’s working to support the GB Skeleton squad having provided support at the EIS South West base as well as out at competition, EIS Strength & Conditioning Coach Danny Holdcroft who’s also working with Skeleton, EIS Performance Psychologist Kate Goodger, out working with the Curling squad and of course, all the athletes I regularly see training and receiving treatment with the EIS throughout year.

Working as part of the BOA team at the Olympic preparation camp has been a fantastic opportunity and I hope all the preparations being made for athletes over these final few days acts as the perfect start to a successful 2010 Winter Games where Britain will be hoping to bring home a number of medals over the coming weeks.

Photography © Getty Images