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Can the Success of the GB Cycling Team be Replicated for 2012
So far the GB cycling team have won about half of GB's gold medals total. Given the pressure, media attention and expectation beforehand this team has really delivered. This success has been building over the last 10 years so it's not just a flash in the pan. Is this kind of success repeatable in other sports? Could this be transferred to other teams, say athletics where GB are not quite so successful. It's an interesting question.
There are many issues to take into consideration but the main ones appear to be location, funding, talent development, team spirit, ambition and management.
GB cycling is located in one location - Manchester. Everyone is based there, trains and works there. They all see each other every day. On this basis friendships develop and it forms the basis of team spirit as everyone sees what kind of an effort everyone else is making all the time.
Funding. Other than athletics they have received the most ~£26m which has built up because of their improvement and gradual success. They have used this money wisely.
Money is no good of course unless you have the talent to develop which has been successful because of the support team and management. They have always sought to be the best in the world bar none and to increasingly push the bar further upwards ie. limitless ambition which everyone buys into - resulting in not just winning but broken world records. They have gone for not only the best equipment and facilities but the best in coaching, physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology and nutrition.
One factor that can make a big difference is that this team works together, everyone has equal input, there is real synergy. It's not just about lip service but real commitment from everyone in the support team and that I believe is very special.
Finally the last factor that has made a big impression on me is their team spirit. Every single one of them has identified the sacrifice others have made to make the whole team successful. Some have given up single events to make a team stronger, team members have understood the risks taken by others who compete in individual events.
Can this be replicated? In my opinion yes (time allowing), but the critical factors that stand out for me that are different from other teams are location, genuine belief in team goals (ambition), management and team spirit.
I would be interested in those that may have a greater understanding than me on what makes teams tick and why some are successful and others not quite so, particularly from other countries.
Keith
Keith Irving
iStadia
There are many issues to take into consideration but the main ones appear to be location, funding, talent development, team spirit, ambition and management.
GB cycling is located in one location - Manchester. Everyone is based there, trains and works there. They all see each other every day. On this basis friendships develop and it forms the basis of team spirit as everyone sees what kind of an effort everyone else is making all the time.
Funding. Other than athletics they have received the most ~£26m which has built up because of their improvement and gradual success. They have used this money wisely.
Money is no good of course unless you have the talent to develop which has been successful because of the support team and management. They have always sought to be the best in the world bar none and to increasingly push the bar further upwards ie. limitless ambition which everyone buys into - resulting in not just winning but broken world records. They have gone for not only the best equipment and facilities but the best in coaching, physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology and nutrition.
One factor that can make a big difference is that this team works together, everyone has equal input, there is real synergy. It's not just about lip service but real commitment from everyone in the support team and that I believe is very special.
Finally the last factor that has made a big impression on me is their team spirit. Every single one of them has identified the sacrifice others have made to make the whole team successful. Some have given up single events to make a team stronger, team members have understood the risks taken by others who compete in individual events.
Can this be replicated? In my opinion yes (time allowing), but the critical factors that stand out for me that are different from other teams are location, genuine belief in team goals (ambition), management and team spirit.
I would be interested in those that may have a greater understanding than me on what makes teams tick and why some are successful and others not quite so, particularly from other countries.
Keith
Keith Irving
iStadia
Tags:
cycling gold medals,
cycling world records,
gb cycling,
gb team success,
olympic cycling,
olympic funding,
olympic success,
olympic talent management,
olympic team management,
olympics,
team success,
winning gold medals
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Comments
What's interesting is the similarities in planning and execution the cycling team have to the 2003 World Cup rugby team under Clive Woodward. Every detail is considered, and the best people for each aspect of the performance are grabbed for the job. This article at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/2440700/British-cycling-riding-crest-of-a-wave.html gives some idea of what they have been doing in preparation for Beijing.
Interesting that Steve Peters is given so much importance in the team. Victoria Pendleton has just won her sprint gold and credited much of it to Steve.
Gary Baker
Mental Coach & Sports Hypnotherapist
The Centre for Sports Hypnosis
Keith
Keith Irving
iStadia
There are a number of reasons for a lack of delivery. In the case of Athletics, major cultural change was required. Has it happened? I can't say, for I've no privileged access. Others need to tighten up in places, to be more ruthless.
For cycling to repeat its success would be a massive achievement. They can’t be expected to the crutch for Team GB in 2012. The majority of the medals have to come from the established sports with room for improvement, which does give real scope for a higher tally.
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com
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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com