Contents

Born To Win

Introduction ...... 2 Notes to editors ...... 3 Born To Win on the web ...... 4 Dermot O’Leary interview ...... 5 Sally Gunnell interview ...... 7 Colin Jackson interview ...... 9 Professor Dave Collins interview ...... 11 Dr Steve Ingham interview ...... 12 The female competitors ...... 14 The male competitors ...... 24 The Born To Win events ...... 34 Presenter/contributor biographies ...... 38

Born To Win Introduction

Dermot O’Leary is Born To Win on BBC ONE

Dermot O’Leary comes to BBC One on Saturday A number of top sporting stars also appear nights to present Born To Win, a new sporting throughout the series to coach and advise the competition for 16- to 18-year-olds which aims to competitors, including: Michael Johnson, James find the sporting talent of the future. Cracknell, Matthew Pinsent and Chris Boardman.

Following its launch in January 2003, nearly 5,000 Born To Win is a unique collaboration between the applicants have been whittled down through a BBC’s factual and sport departments. Executive series of rigorous regional and national trials to producer Tina Fletcher says:“We’ve seen literally leave just 20 outstanding young competitors who thousands of young people and are left with the have made the journey to St Anton in Austria for crème de la crème of Britain’s young sporting the chance to become a future sporting champion. talent. Born To Win has set out to uncover the nation’s future sporting champions and to offer the During the series the 20 competitors compete final two winners the financial support for them to against each other in a range of specially designed be able to continue their training in their chosen heats which test their speed, power, endurance, sporting field. agility and mental strength. Each heat pushes the competitors to their physical and mental limits and “Throughout the series we also take the at least two contestants are eliminated each week. opportunity to look at the psychological make-up of a sporting champion and what it really takes to Ultimately the two winners (one male, one female) succeed at the highest international level.We also will each receive a tailor-made bursary, designed hope that it will encourage more young people to to give them the opportunity to reach their get involved in sport, whatever their level.” sporting potential. Born To Win is supported by BBC Talent and BBC Former world champion athletes Colin Jackson and Sport Academy. Sally Gunnell are acting as mentors for the competitors, offering help, advice and coaching support throughout the series as well as deciding who will be eliminated each week.

Joining Colin and Sally at the competition are Professor Dave Collins of Edinburgh University, who offers psychological advice to the competitors, and physiologist Steve Ingham of the British Olympic Medical Institute.

In addition to following the progress of the competitors, Born To Win also analyses the world’s greatest sports stars through a series of blueprint films, revealing how they made it to the top, what physical and technical attributes make them the elite star that they are, and their “born to win” moment – the moment when everything came together for them.The films also look at examples of those qualities in action.

Born To Win 2 Notes to editors/Born To Win timetable

Notes to editors Timetable:

1. The Born To Win series was devised by January 2003 BBC Specialist Factual and BBC Sport. It is • Launch of Born To Win a joint production. • Potential competitors complete online application

February/March 2003 • Successful applicants are invited to local and 2. Born To Win is a competitive sporting event. regional trials run by schools PE teachers and local There are no public votes. sports development officers.At these trials the competitors complete a battery of standardised physical tests, designed by leading sports scientist Dr Mary Nevil at Loughborough University 3. Norwich Union are sponsoring the event in Austria and the live final. April 2003 • The leading 64 competitors travel to David Czerwinski, Head of Sponsorship for Loughborough University for Easter weekend, Norwich Union, comments:“Our support of where they undertake more physical, aptitude and athletics from grass roots to elite level makes physiological testing at an increasingly intense level this association with a BBC event a natural extension of our commitment to the sport and May/June 2003 its development.We are really excited about • Competitors in training with programmes being involved in this unique project, which I’m devised by Steve Ingham of the British Olympic sure will be a tremendous success.” Medical Institute

July/August 2003 • The final 20 competitors travel to St Anton to a purpose-built, first-class sporting complex where they compete against each other. In each round at least two competitors are eliminated

August-November 2003 • Finalists in training with programmes devised by Steve Ingham

September/October 2003 • The series transmits

November 2003 • The finalists compete in a live final on BBC One

Born To Win 3 On the web

Born To Win on the web

Born To Win on BBC One during autumn 2003 The online area can be found at provides a rare and exciting opportunity to www.bbc.co.uk/borntowin inspire young people to develop their interest and will be promoted throughout the series. in playing sport.

The BBC Sport Academy website brings the Born To Community events Win series to life at a grass roots level by offering young viewers the chance to take part in a range of The online content is supported by a range of local online and local community events – including the opportunities, targeted at schools and designed chance to test their sporting skills by taking similar to enable the maximum number of young people tests to the contestants in the series.The website to engage with the series and create their own allows users to do this as often as they want to sports blueprint. and at a time that is convenient to them. Born To Win Schoolspack: Every secondary school in the UK will receive their On the web own Born To Win pack which features promotional The BBC Sport Academy has created a rich Born To posters plus teacher guides on how to organise Win area which launched in late August to coincide Born To Win school events where pupils can create with the main marketing campaign.This area will be their own sports blueprint. constantly updated to reflect the series. Born To Win Days: In partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and the Create your own blueprint: sport college network, there will be 100 Born To The centrepiece is the chance to create a personal Win Days across England during October where “sports blueprint” by doing a series of mental and young people will create their own blueprint and physical tests similar to those in the television make contact with local sports clubs. In addition, series.The tests cover areas such as sporting the events will receive a visit from a leading sports aptitude, agility, strength, speed and stamina. personality as part of Sport England’s Sporting Champions programme. By entering their scores for each test, competitors create a detailed sports blueprint which compares Additional online content includes a link to the their strengths and weaknesses against national BBC Talent website. norms for their age group, offers advice on development, signposts potential sports to play and offers information about where to participate locally. Interactive

Additional online content includes: There will be an interactive service available – details to be confirmed. • The Born To Win Challenge game in which players compete in an online version of the series. Nations and regions • Extensive profiles of the competitors tracking their progress through the series. The project has enormous potential for the nations • Star blueprints from the series and profiles of the and regions.The contestants come from all around major personalities taking part. the UK and, in addition, the Sport Academy is • Extensive community content including live chats, aiming to run initiatives to support the programme competitions, message boards and “email a coach”. all round the UK. • Links to national governing bodies enabling users to identify playing opportunities on the ground.

Born To Win 4 Dermot O’Leary interview

Dermot O’Leary

“I’m like, 4km run with iron pack attached…” he laughs, grimacing.“And the iron run just looks like it’s horrendous! All the contestants want me to do that one – they’re very keen for me to give everything a go but looking down at the events the iron run looks like the one I’d heave at, genuinely!”

Iron run aside, he’s throwing himself into the programme with a passion that he never thought he’d feel when he first heard about it.

“When it was first shown to me on paper I didn’t think I was going to take it.And then Tina [Fletcher, executive producer] got in touch and said I’d really like to sell this to you face to face, and she did. I was really blown away by the pitch – then I really got it.When it was explained to me it was a very credible show.”

And he hasn’t been disappointed with the reality.

“It’s fantastic,” he enthuses,“and I’m very impressed He’s had a hard day’s filming but the Born To Win with the competitors.You can get fact sheets and presenter is still pumped, swigging from an energy photographs but until you see people it’s very drink like a true athlete.“8.8 seconds,” he exclaims. difficult for you to know what to make of them, but “I’m quite happy with that!” they were so fast today.And the fact that Colin [Jackson] and Sally [Gunnell] were kind of wowed It’s the competitors’ times over the very first Born as well made me even more impressed.When they To Win event – the 60m water sprint – which are talk you do tend to listen! important, but Dermot is rightly chuffed with his own performance – especially as he had to do it “I’m really impressed with their attitude, but I more than once. expected that; I’m really impressed with their focus, but I expected that; but what I really like is the fact “We didn’t get the first take,” he groaned, but that they’re not robots; they all seem to have a gamely insisted on doing the whole distance again good story behind them and they’re not camera for the cameras.“I think it’s important for me to shy – and that for me is a godsend. If I’d come out give a lot of the things a go so the competitors here and I’d had 10 female robots and 10 male look at me and go,‘Well he doesn’t get driven off in robots I would have genuinely worried about the a Jag at the end of the day, and he eats with us’ – show, but they’re fresh, they don’t have that and then they can relate to you,” he continues. cynicism, which is lovely. “Then they can give you a good interview – but more than that, you want to be part of a team.” “That’s another thing which appealed to me about the show: it’s not ironic, there’s no cynicism here. But he’s not too sure how far that team spirit Obviously it’s contrived in that they’ve got specially will stretch, having looked at some of the designed games but the fact that we’ve got Colin forthcoming events… and Sally, for me, puts it head and shoulders above

Born To Win 5 Dermot O’Leary interview

any other sports-esque show or reality show. It is “I was a big rugby player and a big American football reality TV in that these people are absolutely real but player – I used to absolutely love it,” he recalls.“My the thing I like about this show is there’s no problem was they put me up for trials for England subjectivity to it. It’s not the audience voting, it’s gold to play American football and I turned them down medal winning athletes saying this person is going to because I’m not English.They said, that doesn’t really have to leave, but these ones have potential.When matter, but I said ‘I can’t wear an England top – my Colin Jackson and Sally Gunnell say who a good dad would kill me!’ I didn’t really want to anyway athlete is or isn’t, there’s no real questioning their because I’ve always been brought up Irish, [although reasons or their motives or their credibility.” he was born in Colchester, where his parents still live] so that was a bit disappointing. Dermot himself, not needing to impress Sally and Colin with his athletic prowess, has been really Sport’s loss has turned out to be TV’s gain, however, enjoying their company. as after a period travelling around the US by train in 1995 Dermot decided to put his politics and media “They’re brilliant!” he grins.“Colin is the biggest degree to good use on his return home. Inspired by wind-up merchant I’ve ever met in my whole life – his broadcasting heroes Terry Wogan and Jonathan he’s absolutely hilarious.And the chemistry Ross, he sent out some 300 letters requesting work between him and Sally is hysterical – he gives her – one of which earned him a runner’s job in a such a hard time. It really is big sister, little brother documentary company.After quickly graduating to with those two. He’ll push it up to a certain point development research, he fancied having a go at and then she’ll sort of slap him and he’ll cow away presenting, went for a screen test – and got it. for a while.The first time I properly met him he said,‘I must apologise, I’m really tired,’ then “Nothing happened overnight – it was a good few proceeded to talk at me for three hours!” years after that that I actually got a gig – but then it just snowballed,” says the 30-year-old, who now Dermot’s relieved that the selection process is out lives in north London. of his hands, but reckons that none of the competitors should consider themselves losers – His CV so far includes Fully Booked, Re:Covered and they’ve all done brilliantly to get this far so they Dermot’s Sporting Buddies for the BBC; and a raft of shouldn’t give up. programmes for Channel 4, including the sports shows No Balls Allowed and Inside Rugby and the “Never stop dreaming!” he says drolly, admitting entertainment shows The Bigger Breakfast,T4 and, “that’s a really cheesy thing to say! most recently, Big Brother’s Little Brother, delving deeper into the notorious reality show. “But I don’t think they’ll need any advice,” he continues more seriously.“I think they’ll come out of “The most important thing for me is the format – this buoyed.To be honest the first two to go home if something actually works then I’m happy,” says are going to be mortified and they’re going to feel Dermot when asked what’s next on his agenda. He like they’ve let themselves and their family down – loves entertainment television – and besides, he there’s an issue of pride at stake – but I think in the says ruefully, Born To Win may well have scuppered cold light of day it’s not their fault. It’s not that other his chances of anything more serious! people are fitter than you, it’s just they are more adapted to the certain events we have here. It’s not “I could never do Question Time now,” he sighs with like being turned down from an audition.You don’t a tinge of regret for one of his favourite TV shows. watch the person who came last today and say,‘Oh, “They’d just drag this out of the woodwork and go, weren’t they a terrible runner!’ The talent’s obviously ‘he’s in shorts running – how can he anchor a there, it’s just a question of nurturing it.” political TV programme?’!”

He himself could have gone further in his chosen sports but unfortunately the nurturing was offered from the wrong side…

Born To Win 6 Sally Gunnell interview

Sally Gunnell

They are helped by the meticulously designed events which should give them a steer as to the performance aspect.

“I think it’s very fair,” Sally comments.“That was one of the things that I was really worried about: how do you make it fair for everybody because some are more endurance-based, some more power and some more co-ordination. It’s taken a lot to get these events together and to me it’s got to be a very serious event – it is serious, what we’re doing with these kids’ lives – and I think it is.

“It’s going to push them to the limit, there’s going to be a lot of tears and a lot of aches and pains, but how they pick themselves up from a real disaster is crucial.”

In fact Sally reckons that the more that does go wrong, the more they can benefit.“I think they will learn so much about themselves and that’s what it’s about.To get to the very top you’ve got to know yourself inside out, know what makes you tick, what Looking out over the stunning mountain scenery of it takes; you learn all the way along and this is just the the Born To Win training camp in the Austrian Alps, start of it.We’ll be looking for the ones who have got Sally Gunnell gives a wholehearted thumbs up to that determination, that are prepared to learn, to the project. listen to their body and all these sort of things.”

“I think it’s a fantastic concept – I would quite like it She’s already impressed by the 20 who have made to have been around when I was running, I must it through to Austria. admit!” she smiles.“I think sport is about giving kids an opportunity and that is exactly what this is doing.” “They are all different – you can see quite a few of them have got real natural talent. Some of them are But while the 20 competitors have the opportunity so quick at picking up new things – they’re doing to shine, Sally has got the really tough job – new events here, they’re picking it up and the way deciding, along with fellow sporting superstar Colin that they are working it out and applying it all is Jackson, which of them should stay or go. great to see.There are some that have really come on from Loughborough and seeing how they have “It’s going to be really hard – I’m not happy about adapted to the training that Steve [Ingham] has it!” she sighs.“Colin will be okay, he’s a tough guy, given them and seeing, just in those three months, but when it comes to elimination night it’s going to what level they’ve come on to now is very exciting. be hard – and I guess as we go through it’s going to In all of them there’s something that brings them be even harder. It’s not going to be decided on the out. I still can’t really say who’s going to win.” leader board; we have to be able to say right, in seven or eight years time, this person could be a Sally’s quick to stress that even those who don’t top athlete.That’s a hard call!” win won’t be losers.

Born To Win 7 Sally Gunnell interview

“We’re not saying that the ones who don’t win are I don’t think that’s happening now; I don’t think never going to be a top athlete – how do we there’s enough sport in school, so I don’t think know? We just have to pick one person, but all of potential is being spotted and kids aren’t getting them have got that talent – we need lots of stars that opportunity.” out there and all of them might go through. Mind you, Sally admits that despite her teachers’ “I was told when I was these guys’ age that I was encouragement, luck had a lot to do with the way the wrong size and the wrong colour and I would things turned out for her. never be the best in the world.When you’re told that part of you thinks maybe you’re right, but my “At 12 I was a really good gymnast and it was reaction was, I want to prove these people wrong. literally a case of do I go to the gymnastics club Colin was told he was too small to hurdle… so or do I go to the athletics club? And it was only hopefully these guys will go away from this and say because a friend was going down to the athletics okay, that’s just our opinion but if we point things club and I thought I’d go with her, that I went out maybe they will learn.We’re not just going to there. I sometimes think, what would have dump them when they go off.” happened if I’d gone to gymnastics? Would I ever have found athletics? So there was a little element To Sally the key to success is working hard at it. of luck early on.”

“I think you have to have natural talent, that’s But it was sheer talent, determination and hard something you’re born with. But what Colin and I work which earned Sally – the golden girl of had too was that we were prepared to work hard. British athletics for many years – a glitteringly We were real jokers and laughers, but as soon as successful hurdling career and which now sees we got on that line it was serious, there was no her tackling hurdles of a different kind as a BBC mucking around there and we would give 100 per Sport TV presenter. cent every single time. I see so many kids these days that aren’t prepared to put the time in and “I was really thrown in at the deep end which was really push themselves, change their whole lives for quite scary,” she recalls of her first experiences their sport. behind the microphone.“It was like starting again. And when you run, you’re judged on your time – “It was my life, that’s what I did, it affected my with the media you’re judged on whether people every decision right from a young age. It wasn’t so like you or not, and you’re not everybody’s cup of much always wanting to be Olympic champion or tea, so that’s quite hard. whatever, I just loved that feeling of winning and being successful and finding something that I was “But I’m now back with the athletes and I get to good at. I was terrible at school but I found sport chat to them and live what they’re going through in and that saves so many people. It gives you the race and at the trackside; I’m much more confidence and I think that whatever race you’re comfortable there than doing punditry and things.” from, whatever your background, you’re all the same in sport and I think that nothing else in life But whatever role she’s in, Sally’s keen to does that for you.” encourage people to be more sporty.“I got so much enjoyment out of sport and that’s the No surprise then that Sally is concerned at the lack message I want to get across.” of opportunities she sees for kids today.

“I don’t think there’s enough done at grass roots,” she says.“My biggest worry is at school level. Me, Colin, Linford [Christie], we were all encouraged by PE teachers – if it wasn’t for them telling us to go to the club we probably wouldn’t have done it. But

Born To Win 8 Colin Jackson interview

Colin Jackson

now I’m seeing it.’ So I’m kind of tough with them but I’ve always worked in a tough regime because you’ve got to do it.”

Having said that, gregarious Colin knows when to relax too and has been enjoying plenty of laughs and jokes with the competitors, the crew and, especially, his old GB teammate Sally Gunnell and series presenter Dermot O’Leary.

“I mess about all the time,” he agrees with a huge grin.“I’m constantly on the go, but when it’s time for business, it’s business and you’ve got to know the time to stop your smiling and joking and switch on to your focus.”

That’s one of the things he’s hoping to teach the 20 Born To Win hopefuls, saying it’s a key part of being a winner.

“You have to have an innate sporting talent,” he insists,“but you’ve also got to have the ability to Sporting superstar Colin Jackson is now officially learn, you’ve got to be receptive.And then you’ve retired from competition – but he says his life is got to be able to deliver.There’s a lot of people busier than ever since he hung up his spikes for the who are talented and can have the information, but last time back in March. can’t perform – that final element, which is the performance, is missing.They either freeze, or they “Now I’m not training I find I’m saying yes to all constantly do things wrong, or they just talk sorts of things I would normally have said no to,” themselves out of performing. smiles the chatty 36-year-old Welshman. But luckily he managed to find the time to act as expert judge “I was born with the skill to be able to listen, and mentor for the competitors taking part in Born to learn, and then reproduce.You need to be To Win – and they couldn’t have a better role model born with that I think, I don’t think it could be to learn from than Britain’s most successful-ever actually taught.” athlete. Mind you, he’s pushing them pretty hard… He certainly thinks there’s a lot of natural talent “Everybody knows that how I work and train is a amongst the 20 competitors battling it out in the no-mess regime, I have no time for loafing,” Colin heats in Austria. says firmly.“But they’re here because they say they want to be top sportspeople – you don’t have to “It’s good, they all have different attributes and be nice, just give them the facts, give them reality. different personalities and they’re all chosen for not Sport is tough, trust me – they’ll have worse than only their sporting prowess but what they can me to contend with! So everything I say and bring across the board, because you need to be everything I do, they’ll take it into their own sport almost a complete person to be a successful and say,‘I remember when Colin said that ... and sportsperson nowadays,” he says.

Born To Win 9 Colin Jackson interview

Colin is hoping that the series, as well as unearthing “I’ve been an MBE, then an OBE and now I’m a some undiscovered gems of British sport right now, CBE,” he says proudly.“And around the same time will rekindle the passion of the nation as a whole they gave me the freedom of the city of Cardiff as for sport. well – does that mean I can park my car anywhere?!

“I think for a time as a nation we lost it. Hopefully “But then you realise how people appreciate you this will reintroduce sport to a younger age group, as a person, so you start to appreciate yourself which ultimately is the future – fantastic. Something too, which is also really important.You’ve really got like this, which is prime-time on a weekend, will get to look at yourself and say ‘well done’. I think a lot a huge message across, so it’s wonderful for us and of people don’t say that enough to themselves great for sport in general.And it complements so when they’ve done something good. I know many other activities that are going on, new pushes certainly athletes never live for today, it’s always in sport, and they all go hand in hand.” tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow – we have to compete somewhere tomorrow, be on a plane, Colin says he owes a lot of his own success to his another race somewhere else… so whenever you school, which spotted his talent at an early age and do well you never say ‘well done’ because you don’t nurtured it with outstanding results. have the time, but now I can sit back and appreciate what I do.” “We had wonderful teachers, we had great facilities, we had everything,” he says of his school days in And there are 20 young Born To Win hopefuls who Cardiff.“I was very fortunate.We had a great certainly appreciate all the help and advice Colin is school, it made a huge difference. giving them as well.

“Schools are not as involved as they used to be which has a lot to do with fewer people coming through. I think in that sense we’ve missed out a bit so the schools need to get back into it and be active.That comes from the Government so they have to look at the whole package of where they place sport in the curriculum and the importance they place on it.

“I think we need to look at our total lifestyle as well to make sure that potential talent doesn’t waste its time sitting on shopping mall steps and in coffee shops. Because we’ve become a richer and more affluent society I think the trimmings of life have affected sport in that way and we’ve lost a lot just from people being idle. Perhaps there are second-rate footballers in Division Two, Division Three who would be great sportspeople in other fields, but because of the trappings, the glitz and glamour they see in football, and the huge financial rewards, that as well has its implications on sport.”

Colin himself played all sorts of different sports as a youngster but it was as a 110m hurdler that he made his mark, and the world record he set in 1993 still stands today.As well as a string of medals, his glittering career earned him many other awards.

Born To Win 10 Dave Collins interview

Dave Collins

Dave Collins was especially pleased to be involved being picked? It was always the biggest ones who with Born To Win because it’s further proof that sports got picked first and the weedy ones left till last. psychology is at last losing the stigma attached to it. In the past he’s experienced all sorts of odd reactions “An interesting fact is that about 70 per cent of when people discover what he does. Premier League footballers have birth dates within three months of each other. It’s not because of the “I’ve worked in professional football and they’ve star signs – it’s because they were the biggest said, don’t tell anyone what you are. I said I’ll tell under-9s, under-10s etc, they always were the best them I’m a clap doctor, it’s more socially because they were physically most advanced – or if acceptable!” jokes the Edinburgh University it’s gymnastics you might pick the one who’s least proefssor with a wry grin.“But there is some stigma physically advanced because they’ve got an that it’s something you do if there’s something advantage in being lighter and more easy to rotate. wrong. Nick Faldo gave an interesting quote – he You’ve got these characteristics, generally from said,‘I’ve been trying to pluck up courage to work mummy and daddy and from upbringing, to be able with a psychologist and I’m 30-odd now – Tiger’s to climb the ladder if the opportunities are there. [Woods] had one since he was nine.’ But you can have the kit, yet if you haven’t got the determination to go out and train, you won’t get “But it has been seen as an important part of anywhere.Any PE teacher will regale you with training in the States for much longer than here – I stories of the fantastically talented child who just trained in the States in 1981 because I couldn’t didn’t want to know, and the kids who get quite train in the UK to do it at that time.” high very often have less natural talent but they’ve got the sheer bloody-mindedness to get there. Thankfully, British sport is now realising there’s more to training and preparation than just the “When you’ve got the kid who’s got all the physical side.“I think it’s now very accepted,” Dave technique and the talent and the bloody-mindedness, agrees,“although less accepted in some sports than then you’ve got a Sally Gunnell or Colin Jackson.” others – our more traditional team sports tend to be a little bit further behind.” But how easy is it to spot those with real potential, as Dave is doing for Born To Win? Dave – a former British judo champion and rugby prop forward – doesn’t look like most people’s idea “You can get some hints pretty quickly,” he says.“It’s of a psychologist, but as he himself says, looks can easier to see the people who are in trouble than the be deceptive – and that goes for athletes too. people who are good until you get to know their habits – it’s like reading a person.You can usually do “A major element of our research work at the it with reasonable accuracy.The way I work, I take minute is in talent identification and development,” my time, I watch an athlete train, perform, I’ll talk to he explains.“Up until now people have measured a number of people, use a number of measures. Half physical things – so they’ve said okay, we can the battle is a good assessment in the early stages; measure your limb length, or even your genetics, the other half is being able to establish a rapport and and that’ll tell us how you’ll perform.We now some sort of credibility.” know that that’s not so. Look at tennis – Venus and Serena Williams would get selected into a tennis And Dave’s tips on how to tell the winners from identification programme on size, then you look at the also-rans? little Justine Henin, who wouldn’t, but she’s still very good. Even Pete Sampras would not have been “Watch their eyes – the eyes are the window of picked up because he’s not the classic tennis type.” the soul.Then you watch their body language – it’s a thing a lot of us do. All of us have to be It’s the age-old way of selecting sportspeople – psychologists because we interact with people.” remember those schooldays when the teams were

Born To Win 11 Steve Ingham interview

Steve Ingham

Sports physiologist Dr Steve Ingham works with improving your endurance, the most scientific way the British Olympic Association, so he knows a top of improving your power. Some people have athlete when he sees one – and he’s very thrown their sport out of the window and really impressed with the Born To Win competitors. gone for the training and others haven’t, they’ve gone for their own competitions.We’ve seen “We’ve got some really good athletes here – I do some people really improve their cardiovascular genuinely believe that we’ve got some who could fitness, some improve their maximum power make it to world-class level,” he enthuses.“It’s not abilities massively, really good improvements, and just about necessarily whether they’re born to win, others haven’t.” but whether they’re born to improve, how they learn from the process, the superstars and the Steve’s also on hand in Austria to give help and people who are giving them advice.” advice to the competitors and ensure they’re being looked after. Steve helped to design the events to test the abilities of the competitors.“We had to try and “Essentially they need to have available to them keep it nice and fair so we can choose the best good sources of carbohydrate and protein.And athletes,” he explains.“We’ve got a number of they’re going to have a very thorough rest and different physical tests – you can do quite well in recovery programme throughout.There’s a lot of several of them but somebody who’s excellent at nervous energy out there anyway for the endurance might not be good at power, and so you competition but the added aspect of television, and could end up just selecting mediocrity, so you’ve got the quite rigorous schedule of competitions, makes to have a process to get the excellent endurance that doubly important. athletes and the excellent power athletes.” “We want them to perform at their best level, Mind you, the 20 who have got this far must be so get them to do certain things, recover in pretty talented to have got through the rigorous certain ways to give them every chance to produce selection programme that weeded out 4,880 other good performances.” hopefuls along the way. They couldn’t be in better hands, as Steve has “We’ve done a really strong identification of talent worked with some of the top names in British sport. in the first place,” agrees Steve,“and then we’ve got that talent and really tried to facilitate the whole “We work with performers day in, day out to process of them improving.” provide sports science support to them and try and facilitate their performance for Olympic It was Steve who designed training programmes for performances.That’s why the British Olympic the 20 to follow, if they wanted to, between the Association is very keen for me to be involved selection event in Loughborough and the finals in here, to try and maybe find the next champion. the idyllic Alpine setting of St Anton. “Often it’s about trying to catch them at a decent “What we did was we put them through a series of age so you can give them the good habits that laboratory-based tests to try and put hard figures can stand them in good stead for future on their abilities and from that we suggested a improvements. It happens within nearly every training programme that they should follow in sport in Britain nowadays and you have to think respect of the events that were to come.We’ve objectively and scientifically if you want to get chosen perhaps the most scientific way of maximum Olympic performance.”

Born To Win 12 Steve Ingham interview

Mind you, he’s found that even the biggest names could be a tad sceptical of his methods at first…

“When I worked with the rowing team through the last Olympic cycle, to go up to someone like Steve Redgrave and say, you need to do this, you need to do that, he’ll just say,‘Whatever, mate, I’ve got four (at the time) Olympic gold medals, what do you know about performance-based sport?’ Which is a good point, but then you start to chip away at some of the more open-minded people and you keep regularly reminding Steve this is the way you need to do it.The guys start catching him up and they all start to realise that putting in the best practice maximises their training time and their responses to training.

“Undoubtedly there’s a lot of stigma attached to certain ways – it’s very easy to say I don’t need to train hard, I don’t need to look after myself, I can still perform, but actually if you do these things you’re going to perform to a greater level and it’s so obvious these days.”

And even the least sporty of us can improve our health and fitness by following a few of Steve’s more basic tips.

“The simple aspect for body composition and body fat – and this is probably the best information you could ever give to somebody – is don’t eat rubbish food! Don’t eat too much, make subtle changes to your diet over a long period of time so you can sustain it. So it might be, just lose a Weetabix – don’t have three, have two – or if there’s any way you can tidy up your diet, lose the chocolate bars, lose the crisps – most people know what a good diet is all about and so that’s simple advice.

“As for fitness, getting cardiovascular fitness is often about the sweat and toil and, unfortunately, to get fit you have to put the work in.”

Born To Win 13 The female competitors

Sam Backwell (18) – heptathlete

Lives with her mother Tina, father Tom and brother Timothy. Has GCSEs in PE, Geography, Music, Maths, English, Food Sciences and English Lit. She is currently coaching athletics part time. If she is not a successful athlete she would like to coach sports. She enjoys socialising with friends and boyfriend, especially dancing and karaoke. She likes going to the beach and spending time with her grandparents on the farm, as well as training and improving her performances.

Favourite movies/TV: Funny films; Graham Norton on TV Music: Anything from R&B, drum ‘n’ bass to Michael Jackson and Elton John Favourite food: Mashed potatoes and baked beans Personality: I get annoyed when people make fun and take advantage of others. If I feel angry I go to the gym and let off steam. Have a phobia of spiders and single wish would be for everyone to be happy Favourite celebrity pin up: Johnny Wilkinson What are you afraid of: Someone telling me I’m not good at something I really enjoy eg athletics.Wouldn’t know what to say What are you good at: Organising myself, making friends, motiviating others What are you bad at? Maths, ironing and taking photos Three things you’d take to a desert island: Teddy; jar of Vaseline; motorbike If you could be anyone else for a day you’d be... A pilot flying a fast jet Greatest sporting disappointment: Not being able to do high jump very well Greatest non-sporting achievement: Not getting a C grade in my maths re-take

What makes you stand out from a crowd? On her sport: My smile and determination. I’ve had disappointments I prefer doing more than one thing, it makes it growing up but each time I’ve started again and kept more interesting for me. I dropped out of trying. I loved ballet and gym but I got injured in a car basketball – it was getting too serious and I just accident and couldn’t perform to the same standard. wanted to do it for fun. Sometimes it can be too When I was in a wheelchair I took up the flute and serious for what people want.The athletics has just guitar.When I recovered I started running and playing progressively got more serious – so I haven’t had basketball. I am very determined and want to succeed. to be serious from the start, just gradually and it’s much better like that. It’s important to have fun as On Born To Win: well. I concentrate more on my sport but I’ve still My aim is to stay all the way and try out all of the done really well at college, I don’t know how! events because they’re all really good. I’m going to try my best at everything, obviously, and if my best means not winning then I’m not going to worry. This is going to be such a big thing I think we’re all going to get something good out of it.

Born To Win 14 The female competitors

Charlotte Best (18) – 400m/800m runner

Lives with mother Mandy, father Mark, sister Leanne, brother Alex, and dog Buster, a Staffordshire bull terrier. Has just finished studying for her A levels. She works part time at Crawley Leisure Centre on the junior athletics staff. In the future she would like to get her degree in sports science with business management and make a career out of it. She enjoys shopping, bowling, ice skating and amusement parks. Likes going to the cinema and pubs with friends.

Favourite movies/TV: Enjoy any movie except horror; I like EastEnders. Music: R&B, garage and hip hop Favourite food: Chinese Three words that best describe you: Ambitious, sociable and honest What are you afraid of? Spiders What are you bad at? Getting up early in the morning Three things you’d take to a desert island: A picture of family and friends; a boat; radio and CD player with CDs If you could be anyone else for a day you’d be... Jennifer Lopez Greatest sporting achievement: Winning the U17 sports person of the year twice at my local running club – Crawley AC Greatest sporting disappointment: Getting disqualified in a race, broke before the line in the 800m If you were in a film: I would be in an action/romantic film where I had to solve a mission

On Born To Win: On her sport: I’ve been training hard and I’m at my best so I started very young, when I was in year six at whatever comes I’ll be happy with.At the moment school, a cross-country run.Then when I was in everyone’s really relaxing and trying to get on with secondary school I did another one and this girl everyone else, but when people actually do compete beat me so my dad thought he’d put me in a club. they’ll be more focused, and more nervous and That’s where it started and it went on from there… stressed. I think it will rapidly change in one day. At the moment on track 800m is supposed to be my main event but I’ve been moving around. Last I found Loughborough very hard, some of it. I got year I did 1500m more, and this year I did 800m very nervous – you walked in and everybody was and 400m. But while I’m in cross country I’m quite looking at you; there were lights shining right down competitive through the winter season as well, so I on you and you could cut the atmosphere with a actually range quite well. knife. But I did all right, I was really happy with myself that I got through it. I did really well on the I think the girls’ competition is very high – much 5km run, that’s what I was waiting for – I thought if higher every year, it’s really hard.The times are I could get through all the beginning bit with an dropping drastically while the boys are more steady average or a bit above average, then I could blast it I think – but the girls are really competitive. on the final 5km run and I won it in the end.

Born To Win 15 The female competitors

Louise Bloor (17) – long jumper

Lives at home in Rotherham with her mother Sharon and father Michael. She is currently studying for her A Levels but has had a part time job as an assistant sports coach working with children aged 8-11. In the future she would like to be a physiotherapist. She enjoys shopping, going out with friends, cinema, bowling and watersports in the summer. In the evening she enjoys going to bars and nightclubs. She likes going to town and shopping. Favourite movies/TV: Comedies/Graham Norton Music: Pop and dance. Favourite song is Dirty by Christina Aguilera Favourite food: Sausage sandwich What would you change about yourself? I would like to have more patience What irritates you? Waiting for buses Three words that best describe you: Perfectionist, determined and caring What are you afraid of?/Phobias Being alone in the house in the dark/Spiders What are you good at? Long jump and short sprint What are you bad at? Sewing Three things you’d take to a desert island: Motorboat to get off it; Suntan lotion; my friend Laura Greatest sporting achievement: Winning the English schools Long Jump title Greatest non-sporting achievement: Passing my driving test first time

On Born To Win: On her sport: It’s really exciting. I’m feeling really confident for all The higher the competition the more motivated I the sprints and the agility events, but the endurance am. I thrive on the audience and everyone being ones I’ll just be focusing on what I’ve got to do to there – it keeps me going. stay in it because I know I can’t win those events. But I’m looking forward to them all. You can all be at the same level but if you’re not focused, if you’re not determined enough you can’t At the regional trials I didn’t really know what to concentrate on something and that can get to you expect because they said, you’ve got so many eventually.You’ll have a mental block and things will points out of 100 and then you just went and didn’t go wrong. But I’m quite confident of my own hear anything more from it for a couple of months. mental strength. Then they said you’ve got through to the trials in Loughborough and it got really exciting.To get My mum and dad have always supported me through the that stage was amazing, it was a really through it and would always take me to everything; good experience. I really enjoyed it; it was probably when you get to a certain level your parents have one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time. It got to be as dedicated as the child to get you was really relaxed and I loved every minute of it. through it.

Born To Win 16 The female competitors

Catriona Christie (18) – high jumper

Lives with mother Caroline, father Christopher and brother Andrew. She has just completed her A-Levels and works part-time as a banquet waitress at a hotel. If she’s not successful in sport she would like to go to drama school and become an actress. In her spare time she enjoys playing the clarinet and piano, listening to music, going out with friends and reading. Favourite movies/TV: Romantic comedies/Friends Favourite food: Chocolate Where did you grow up? Burnham What irritates you? People lacking common sense Three words that best describe you: Dancing, smiling, tall Phobias: Spiders and insects What do you look for in friends? Humorous, caring, talkative Favourite holiday: Caribbean and Amazon cruise Three things you’d take to a desert island: Bikini; mobile phone; sleeping bag Greatest sporting achievement: Winning the English schools high jump Greatest sporting disappointment: Performing badly at the AAAs

On Born To Win: On her sport: Obviously I’ll give it a good go, try my hardest at all I never think this is what I’m going to do and I’m the events. Some of them I’ll be good at, some of going to do it regardless because it could go them not so good at but I’ll give it a stab. I’m here wrong.Yes, I want to be a sports star but if it went to win but we’ll see how it goes. wrong I’d like to be an actress. I love both equally and I will do both of them for as long as I can until We’ve been waiting around lots of times and Dave one of them takes off more. If I suddenly I became [Collins] says it’s exactly what a top-class athlete a fantastic sports star I would take that all the way does anyway at the Olympics: a lot of waiting but if that went a bit wrong and my acting was around and then straight out to compete. I think going well then I’d go with that one. I’m not one of it’s a really good way of teaching us at a younger those people who says I’m going to make the age what it’s going to be like if and when we make Olympics because I don’t think that’s right – if it it to the top. People go to the Olympics very young goes wrong you just get really depressed. these days and can be a bit fazed by it all but we’ll be more experienced at how to cope with the I just generally love the arts, singing, dancing, acting, pressures. In fact the whole experience that we’re playing music, I love being creative, I like making getting from being out here and being away from things. I do think that the broader spectrum of home, in a new place and having to cope with things you do makes you more experienced in more everything and all the emotions by ourselves, is fields, and I definitely think the more things you do, fantastic. So if I don’t win I’m going to take all that the more experienced you become and the more experience away with me. you can cope with anything that life throws at you.

Born To Win 17 The female competitors

Channelle Garnett (18) – sprint hurdler

Lives in London with her mother and brother. Gained a Sports Progression Award, Level 1 and an NCFC Coaching Award. Did work experience at Boots Opticians and would like to go into coaching or become a physiotherapist in the future. Enjoys doing extra training, listening to music, going to the cinema and socialising with her friends.

Movies/TV Horror and action films such as Rush Hour 2 and Final Destination 2/EastEnders Music: R&B, slow jam and reggae. Favourite songs are Don’t Know What To Tell You and I Miss You by Aaliyah, Gossip Folks by Missy Elliot Favourite food: Rice, chicken, roast potatoes and peas What makes you lose your temper and how do you deal with it? People who lie. I deal with it by talking about it in the appropriate manner Three words that best describe you: Ambitious, outgoing and determined Least favourite sporting activity: Swimming and bowling What are you afraid of? Being a failure What are you good at? Athletics, dancing, making people laugh, ice skating, acting, basketball, football, tennis What are you bad at? Singing Greatest sporting achievement: Winning the English schools competition Greatest sporting disappointment: Tripping over the second to last hurdle when in the lead

On Born To Win: It’s good experience. It’s a good atmosphere, it’s a I study sports and I’m going to do a B tech next new thing for me. I’m looking forward to the sprint. year. I do 100m hurdles and heptathlon, which I like I’m pretty confident, hopefully I’ll get through to because you do every single type of event and the finals, I’ll keep focused.You don’t want to be don’t get bored – I like to do a variety. I’m not looking all silly in front of the TV audience! really consistent, I’d like to be more like Colin [Jackson] so I’m hoping to get some tips from him Loughborough was difficult, definitely the cross while we’re here. country was so hard. After 2k I was really tired and gasping for breath and I was like, we have to go up I’d like to make people look up to me and I could this steep hill?! help them. Katherine Merry and Denise Lewis are good role models in that sense. On her sport: My teacher first noticed that I had potential when I was running with the boys so she gave me a leaflet for the club. My mum took me there and that’s where it first started.

Born To Win 18 The female competitors

Ashleigh Palmer-Johnson (16) – sprinter

Lives at home in Berkshire with her parents Diana and Gus and grandfather Bert. She has just completed her GCSEs. Currently works as a casual leisure service officer at Thames Valley Athletics Centre in Eton and in the future would like to go to university and study to become a sports chiropractor in order to help other athletes overcome injury. In her spare time she enjoys writing songs, recording in the studio, dancing, playing basketball, clothes shopping and spending time with her friends.

Favourite movies/TV: Comedy films and V Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross Music: R&B, hip hop, soul, Motown. Favourite song is You Remind Me by Usher Favourite food: Poached salmon in dill sauce Three words that best describe you: Friendly, determined and thoughtful Phobias: Snails up the garden path If you had a single wish what would it be? To stand on the podium at the Olympics as gold medallist with the national anthem playing, watching the Union flag being raised and crying my eyes out Favourite author/read: Spike Milligan and My Part In Hitler’s Downfall by Spike Milligan Characteristics you look for in a friend: Loyalty, honesty and a sense of humour Three things you’d take to a desert island: For survival: Swiss army knife, matches and hardwearing shoes For myself: a mini-disk, a photo of family and friends and a perfume spray. Greatest sporting achievement: Reaching the 200m final of the AAAs If a film was made about you what would it include? Dancing, singing, music, sport and lot and lots of laughter

On Born To Win: On her sport: I’m a sprinter and I was a bit worried about the All my friends are like,‘Come out!’ And I’m like,‘I’ve endurance side of things before we had our training got to train, I’ve got to compete,’ so I have to stay schedules done. My endurance has never been that in. It’s hard but it pays off. weak but since I’ve done the training and incorporated my training with Steve’s training it’s If I win this competition one of my main aims got a lot higher. Even if I don’t win I think that a lot would be to encourage younger people or people of what we’re going to do is going to reflect on my who don’t have the opportunity to be where they fitness in general so it’s going to make me a lot want to be in sport or who feel like they can’t fitter and give me a more competitive edge. I’m carry on. I’d like to tell them that you can, you can competitive anyway but this whole thing is such an do it if you try. experience. It’s a good test for myself of what I can do, and my limits, so I’m looking forward to it.

Born To Win 19 The female competitors

Kelly Rodmell (17) – double heptathlete

Lives in Northumberland with her parents Alan and Brenda. Has completed her GCSE examinations, works part time as a cleaner and would like to be a full-time athlete in the future. In her spare time Kelly enjoys horse-riding.

Who do you particularly admire? Kelly Holmes. She is just like me as she has had to come back from injuries and never gives up Favourite song: Sk8erboi by Avril Lavigne Favourite food: Anything healthy Three words that best describe you: Fit, strong and healthy If you had a single wish what would it be? To win the lottery Favourite sporting hero: Haile Gebrselassie for the way he presents himself, plus his incredible ability Favourite celebrity pin up: David Beckham What are you really bad at? Singing Three things you’d take to a desert island: Trainers; picture of my family and animals; food Greatest sporting achievement: Winning silver in the World Double Heptathlon Championships; becoming a world record holder for the double heptathlon Greatest sporting disappointment: Missing out on the gold medal because I messed up with three events to go

On Born To Win: On her sport: I think all of our strong points and weak points are It was mostly down to my sister; I remember one going to come through in the events. I’m looking day she said ‘I want to go along to the track and forward to the endurance-based ones, and the start running,’ and I remember the first day I went biking and the swimming. I feel confident, I’m just along – I was in my little Arran cardigan and blue going to take each day and each competition as it shorts. I just started from there, I had a love of it, comes and every event that gets put to me, I’m just thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a way of getting all just going to do the best that I can. your emotions and your energy out. I’ve done it since I was about 10 years old. I already knew Louise Webster slightly before we Some people have got natural ability, some haven’t, came here – we met at a meeting in Birmingham but I think it’s not only important to be fit and when Haile Gebrselassie broke his world record healthy, you’ve got to have it mentally really to cope indoors. Louise and I did an invitation race with the pressures, you’ve got to be mentally together over 1,000m and when we saw each strong to be in this business. I think that’s what other here it was like, I recognise you! decides a winner and loser.

Born To Win 20 The female competitors

Ashley Scott (17) – footballer and karate player

Lives at home in Gateshead with her mum Marie and sister Natalie. Ashley gained 13 GCSEs and hopes to go on to University and then join the police force. She enjoys sport, going to the gym, listening to music, watching videos, chatting on the phone with her friends and shopping.

Movies/TV Comedies and romance – anything but horror. Favourite TV show is either Friends,V Graham Norton or They Think It’s All Over. Likes Ant and Dec Music: Pop, R&B, dance, love songs. Favourite song is All I Have by J-Lo and LL Cool J Favourite food: Corned beef pie, chips and beans Three words that best describe you: Laid-back, outgoing and adventurous What do you look for in a friend? A good sense of humour, someone not easily offended who likes a good night out and a good night in, is lively and talkative and has things in common with me Favourite sporting hero: Denise Lewis because she has a great sporting attitude – she is all about determination and encouraging young people to get involved in sport Favourite celebrity pin up: Robbie Williams Three things you’d take to a desert island: Photo of my family; a football; a razor Greatest sporting achievement: Getting to the England football trials Greatest sporting disappointment: Coming second after drawing on points in a national karate championship without a rematch

On Born To Win: I had my back injury at Loughborough – the day I don’t think I can win because I’ve got too many after that competition I could hardly walk, I was injuries. I wasn’t even going to be allowed to come dragging my legs along! But it’s not during out – it was a last-minute decision, but I was always competition when it hurts, it’s afterwards. My determined to come and I’m not going to let them recovery is really slow, so I don’t know how that’s send me home! I’ve done the ligaments in both my going to affect me here – competing day after day. ankles running in training, and playing football. I’ve We’ll just have to see what happens. I’ve got a got shin splints – I’ve had them for years. I’ve torn a masseuse who I’ll be keeping busy! muscle in my thigh sprinting, I’ve got an injured coccyx and a stress fracture on the bottom of my spine so I’m in quite a lot of pain – more discomfort than anybody else. I tried to do the climbing yesterday but I couldn’t grip it because I broke my finger. I’ll just have to block out the pain!

Born To Win 21 The female competitors

Liz Sweeney (17) – high jumper and heptathlete

Lives at home in Liverpool with her mother Anne, father Brian and brothers Ben and Chris. Liz gained nine GCSEs at grade A and A* and has so far gained three AS levels. She hopes to go to university to study medicine and go on to become a doctor. She enjoys training, going to the cinema and having a meal out with friends. Movies/TV: Comedies, romantic comedies, political thrillers/EastEnders. Likes Ant and Dec Music: R&B, pop, rap. Favourite song is Just A Little by Liberty X Three words that best describe you: Loyal, competitive, fun-loving If you had a single wish, what would it be? To be a successful international athlete and win the Olympic Games Favourite read: Harry Potter by J K Rowling What do you look for in a friend? Loyalty, good humour, honesty and imagination Favourite celebrity pin up Ben Affleck Three items you’d take to a desert island: Trainers, pen and paper, piano If you could be anyone for a day it would be... Victoria Beckham Greatest sporting achievement: Winning AAAs and English Schools high jump this season and gaining my first Great Britain call up Greatest sporting disappointment: Losing AAA competition when I had previously achieved the winning height What would be included in a film about you? Sport, music, school, friends, church On Born To Win: On her sport: I’m not nervous yet but I probably will be just I don’t like my school work to suffer through before the events. I’ll take each one as it comes and athletics. I want to do medicine at university so the hope for the best. Just to get here I think is amazing. grades are important. If I’ve got a training session Everyone said, even if we go out in the first show one evening and an exam in the morning, I’ll stay in we’ve had such a great time this week. Seeing what and revise because my A levels are just as goes on, because it’s totally new for all of us, is just important as my athletics.You have to keep a brilliant, so I’m really enjoying it no matter what balance but I want to do well in both, I don’t want happens.We’ve been doing all kinds of different to let either one of them suffer. training. I’ve been going on morning jogs at silly hours, doing different aspects of fitness that I It can be hard: I was in the national potential squad wouldn’t normally do which has helped me improve. for high jump and that’s held in Birmingham, so every Sunday I’d have to travel down there and I was selected for the European Youth Olympics in back and do my homework in the car.All the Paris which clashes with this – it was the worst specialist costs – I’m right-foot take off which is dilemma I’ve had in my life, But the effort I’ve gone awkward because most people are left-foot, so I to to get here … the national trials were in the had to get my high jump spikes imported from middle of two weeks of warm weather training for China, they’re the only ones; it’s so expensive. In me so we rearranged my flights so I could get to that way I think it’s really difficult.You have to get Loughborough and to do all that to get to Austria, to the top before you get that sort of support, but and then to say okay I won’t do it… you need the help to get to the top.

Born To Win 22 The female competitors

Louise Webster (18) – 400m runner

Lives at home in the West Midlands with her mother Molly, father Stephen, sister Rachel and brother Andrew. She works as a sports technician helping pupils with sports equipment and art classes. She enjoys listening to music, watching television, shopping, riding her bike and playing football.A good night out would be a meal with some close friends having a laugh. Movies/TV: Romance, action, comedy/My Wife And Kids. Likes Graham Norton Who do you admire? Paula Radcliffe because she has worked so hard to get to where she is today. Music: R&B, Pop. Favourite song is by Craig David Favourite food: Jacket potato, sweetcorn, pepper, chicken, raddish, carrot and pickled onion Three words that best describe you: Bubbly, hyperactive, laid-back If you had a single wish, what would it be? Olympic champion at 400m Favourite reads: Autobiographies. Favourite book is Denis Lewis’s Personal Best Characteristics you look for in a friend: Honesty, trustworthiness, friendly, things in common with me, a good talker What are you afraid of? Growing old Three things you’d take to a desert island: Sunglasses; food; tall dark handsome man Greatest sporting achievement: Getting picked to run at the Grand Prix in 1999 as part of McDonalds 25th exhibition race Greatest sporting disappointment: Not yet reaching English schools

On Born To Win: couple of weeks, and three or four weeks went by I’ve never been warm weather training and I’ve so I thought, oh I haven’t got through.Then we got a never been away from home for a competition so telephone call saying I had – I just took it normally it’s a brand new experience.You learn things about and my mum was saying,‘Sound excited!’ yourself and other people and what your limits are. Learning things about how you can push yourself to On her sport: the limit and what pain barriers you can push When I was at primary school we used to do cross yourself through; learning about yourself and other country and I really love running. Now, if my mum people, learning to get on with other people and and dad say you’re not going training I’m like… why? the different backgrounds that they are from. I That’s one of the only things I get upset about. think we’re all basically the same, though; we all love sport so everyone has that in common. I’ve been doing 400m for about two years; before that I was an 800m runner but I wasn’t improving I think my parents are surprised at how well I’ve as much as I wanted.The training I was being given done in this competition because I don’t think they wasn’t suited to me because my coach had such a thought I’d get through. I didn’t know what to big group, he couldn’t pay attention to me.The expect and I was surprised too.When we did the group I’m in now, there’s six girls which is really regional trials they said they’d let us know within a good because he can zoom in to us. It’s better now.

Born To Win 23 The male competitors

Leigh Bevan (17) – rugby player

Lives in Swansea with his father Tim, mother Julie, brother Kristopher, and sister Leonne. He has just completed his GCSEs. In his spare time he likes going out with his friends and listening to music. He would like to become a professional rugby player or a PE teacher in the future. He describes himself as outgoing, enthusiastic and a great mate.

Favourite movies/TV Comedies; Baddiel and Skinner and Ant and Dec on television Who do you admire? My family – who support me in everything I do, no matter what Music: Dance/trance. Favourite song is by Bryan Adams Favourite food: Ham and parsley sauce, beef, pasta What would you change about yourself? I’d be a bit more confident What irritates you? Being blamed for something you have not done If you had a single wish, what would it be? To play for Wales rugby at full level, and the British Lions Least favourite activity: Waking up in the morning What are you afraid of? Underachieving What are you good at? Making people laugh and playing rugby Three things you’d take to a desert island: Matches; rugby ball; a blonde If you could be anyone for the day it would be: Sultan of Brunei

On Born To Win: On his sport: It’s quite an achievement, out of 5,000 people around I want opportunities.With my rugby career, I want Britain, and I’m the only boy of my age, 16, here – I’m to boost it big-time. I’ve already played international the youngest boy here. [Leigh turned 17 after the level for the Welsh Under-16s, and I just want to be event in Austria.] I’ve won three world club noticed by all the big clubs in England, so I can be championships with my rugby but I think this comes made with my rugby. out on top as the biggest sporting event I’ve ever done. Everybody else has got a weakness, but I’m not I want to be a professional rugby player but I also not looking forward to any of the events. Being rugby- want to go to university and study physiotherapy in based, all the events suit me so it’s not too bad. I want sport, and psychology.That’s what I’m going to take to go to the final, that’s my target, and anything from at sixth form college. I’ve always been told in all my there is a bonus. Being up here in the mountains with teams, don’t always concentrate on sport – I know the lack of oxygen is hard, because I’m a bit iron it’s the biggest thing in my life – but concentrate on deficient – every night I’ve had a nose bleed. my education as well. I’ve even put back socialising with my friends because I’ve been trying to study It’s great because everybody is getting on with each hard to get the grades because my mother wants other, we’re all having a good laugh but we’re serious me to do well. I get the sport thing from her – she as well about the sport and the competition. was an international netball player.

Born To Win 24 The male competitors

Mark Buckingham (18) – fell runner

Lives with his father John, mother Christine and sister Gemma. He has ten GCSEs, two AS-Levels and has just completed his A-Levels. In the future he would like to be a professional athlete or follow a career in sport management. Mark enjoys socialising with friends in his home town of Huddersfield and also enjoys playing football.

Favourite movies/TV: Action thrillers.Also likes Jackass Music: Hip hop and R&B. Favourite song is Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger Food: Pepperoni pizza How would you describe yourself? ACE – Athletic, Competitive and Entertaining Magazines: Athletics Weekly, FHM Internet: BBC Sport, Google, Napster Favourite celebrity pin-up: Cameron Diaz What are you bad at? Doing coursework Where was your favourite holiday: In France, skiing with school Greatest achievement: Passing driving test first time with only three minor faults Greatest disappointment: Not being selected to run for England in the world mountain running trophy in Austria 2002 due to illness

On Born To Win: here now – he doesn’t miss a race. He’s a senior It’s been the trip of a lifetime so far and hopefully sprints coach with UK Athletics, so come track there’s still a lot left. It’s pretty demanding but my season it’s quite helpful with his knowledge of speed’s improved so I think I’ll be able to handle sprinting to help me in 800m and 400m. most of the events, but it’s got every area of our ability tested. I’m a bit worried about the sprinting – I’m the only person in my home club who’s on this I’ve never been a sprinter at all, it’s been endurance schedule where you do everything, so it’s quite from day one so I’m looking forward to getting that difficult – I tend to train on my own. But I always out of the way. But I’ve got nothing to lose – I can have done so you get used to it – it’s me and the only gain on the other guys because I’m the bottom watch running against each other. of the table when it comes to events like that so there’s not as much pressure on me there. I just want to get onto the big stage, get a GB vest – I’ve already had an England vest but I wouldn’t On his sport: mind getting into the GB squad, whether it’s on the I’ve always been coached by my dad – probably track or cross country. I do a lot of fell running, I’ve always will be as well. It’s brilliant – he knows me been away a lot with that so I’ll be targeting the better than anyone. He’s quite strict because he world trophy when I get back, that’s in September, always wants me to achieve my best – he’s like a but I just want to make a name for myself on the dad is, a bit bossy! It’s helped our relationship athletics scene. because we spend so much time together. He’s out

Born To Win 25 The male competitors

Garth Chamberlain (18) – rugby player

Originally from Zimbabwe, he now lives with mother Merrill, father Owen and sister Tanya in Exeter. He has 12 GCSEs, is studying for A-Levels and works for Sainsbury’s, Crealy Adventure Park and the South West Rugby Academy. In the future Garth would like to be a professional rugby player, with an aim to represent England. He enjoys hanging out with friends and exercising. Favourite TV: Friends Favourite food: Steak, egg, chips, fudge What would you like to change about yourself? Increase size and weight for rugby What annoys you? Smoking and drinking, and spiteful people How would you describe yourself? Disciplined, motivated, chilled If you had a single wish, what would it be? To represent England at rugby and be successful at whatever I do Favourite holiday: Going back to Zimbabwe Characteristics you look for in a friend: Honesty and an outgoing personality Afraid of: Failure What are you bad at? Cleaning my room Greatest achievement: GSCEs

On Born To Win: On his sport: My coach put me in for it, he said it would be an I did swimming for a really long time and I just got extra fitness thing for me, so when we started bored of doing the same thing over and over again, getting letters through saying come to and then my uncle taught me to play rugby so I Loughborough I was like, woah! But it was really thought I’d do that instead. I was born in Zimbabwe cool.And telling people back at home was surreal – – we came here just before my 16th birthday.There they don’t know whether to believe me! was a rugby club about 200m away from where we live so I just pitched up one night and they were When we went to Loughborough and then here I like, Oh yes come on in.There’s so much more could immediately tell that most of the people are opportunity here, though it’s all outside school. It’s involved in single sports, they’re individuals so they very different – we trained every day at school in can get on by themselves. Most of the sports I have Zimbabwe. Sport is more important there. I don’t done, recently anyway, have been loads of team think anybody ever does nothing, people are always stuff so it’s different for me. I can see in how involved in some sport or other. people behave and how they prepare for stuff. But everyone’s really nice – it’s probably just all being You’ve got to want to win really, at certain levels sporty, all of us have got so much in common.We everyone’s basically got the skills, the talent, but if all train properly and so we’ve all got stories to tell you want it more than the person next to you that about sport and everyone’s easy-going. determination will get you through.

Born To Win 26 The male competitors

Kye Davies (18) – footballer

Lives with his mum Cynthia in North London. He has nine GCSEs and four AS-Levels and has just completed his A Levels. He worked as an admin assistant in a fashion PR agency but his dream job is to be a professional footballer. Kye enjoys playing sport, clubbing, going to festivals and carnivals, and listening to live music. Favourite movies/TV: Thillers and dramas. The Matrix/The Simpsons Music: Rap, hip hop, reggae, soul, jazz, classical, Motown, Latin American and R&B. Favourite song is Maria Maria by Santana Favourite food: Chicken and rice Three words that best describe you? Confident, spontaneous and competitive Favourite Author/book: Roald Dahl/Holler If You Hear Me – Searching For Tupac Shakur by Michael Dyson What do you look for in a friend? Someone who is trustworthy, respectful, down to earth and humorous Sporting hero: Juan Sebastian Veron because of his professionalism, technical ability and motivation. He influences my game because of his amazing vision and awareness Favourite TV presenter: Gary Lineker – he combines top football punditry with puns and light humour What are you afraid of? Failure – being second best is difficult to accept as I have a competitive nature; however, I always aim to do better Three things you’d take to a desert island? A football; a definitive collection of music, my ‘tightest’ set of friends Greatest achievement: Being accepted to study Geography at University College London. On Born To Win: On his sport: It’s interesting, it’s unique, it’s new and I like it, My dad used to take me over to the park when I because I always like new challenges. It’s positive was really young to get me active because I was because they’re bringing people together from all well energetic when I was little. My mum wasn’t too around the country. I’ve been settling in really fond of it because he’d give me these big leather easily, just relaxing, chilling with people. footballs! But that’s where I picked up the passion. I’d like to win but the only thing I can do is try my I’d like to play football at a higher level than I am at best. I’ve come here off the back of some hard the moment. But I’d have to say that my priority is training – before this I never used to really train, I’d education, it’s something concrete, it gives you a always go out and play football in the park and stuff good foundation in life. I’ve got a conditional offer like that, but it’s helped me get fit and hopefully I from UCL for a Geography BSc; geography is really can get some exposure from this.You’ve just got to good because it’s really diverse.You’ve got the be dedicated.The more work you put in the more human side, the physical side, the economics of a you get out, you get your rewards. Everyone here is country, the politics, there’s so much there that you really focused, they’ve all got the one goal – to win can look at. But I always want to stay active, I try to – so it’s not going to be easy. I’m not going to start keep a healthy balance between the two. Sport judging people but you’ve got to have a lot of heart helps you take your mind off things. Music helps me to go into this, it’s not something you can go into to relax quite a lot too, takes my mind off things half-heartedly and expect to be able to do well. that might be getting on top of me.

Born To Win 27 The male competitors

Sheldon Jopling (18) – boxer

Lives at home in Scarborough with his mother Angie, father Peter and sister Michaela. He works at the Scarborough Evening News. In his free time likes to go training with the lads in his area.

Movies: Comedy What sort of music do you like? Rave; favourite song is Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf Favourite food: Eggs What would you change about yourself? My height as I am smaller than most other people my age If you had a single wish what would it be? To have as many wishes as I wanted Which magazines do you read? Boxing News What do you look for in a friend? People who are a good laugh, fun to be with and who stick by you What are you good at? Boxing What are you bad at? Spelling, cooking and decorating Three things you’d take to a desert island: String; a knife; a sexy woman If you could be anyone for a day you’d be: Mike Tyson Greatest sporting achievement: Boxing for England in America Greatest sporting disappointment: Losing in the junior ABA Finals

On Born To Win: I box at light welterweight at the minute but my I’m loving it so far, it’s brilliant out here.And it’s a coach wants me to drop down a weight to great idea – on TV you don’t really see much lightweight – I tried but I couldn’t make it for this competition with young talent so it’s really good to season but I’m going to try for next season. see the next generation coming through. You have to be focused with boxing, it helps to give I don’t know how I’ll do – I wouldn’t like to say you a winning mentality. If you can get to the top because all the lads and the lasses look really close and stay there for a while you’ve got a good living. in everything, there’s not much in it. My upper body But money’s not everything – I like the sport, I love strength and fitness is not too bad.We got a training boxing, couldn’t live without it probably. Money is programme in Loughborough and I’ve been doing like a bonus really – it would help! more weights that I normally would – because that makes too much muscle which weighs more and I I won a bronze medal at the Junior Olympic have to keep my boxing weight really low. International Invitation. It was brilliant, I loved it, On his sport: being out in America – my first time there – was I was 13 and a boxing club opened around the the best thing ever.Well, not now because this is! corner, so me and a few mates went to hit a few bags and have a laugh.We all started to enjoy it and we stuck at it. My parents are very encouraging too.

Born To Win 28 The male competitors

Peter Kirby (18) – fencer

Lives in Worcestershire with his father David, mother Mia and sister Phillippa. He is just completed his A Levels and works part time at Dormy House Hotel as a commis-chef. In his spare time he enjoys socialising in town with his friends, listening to CDs, turntables & skates.

Favourite movies/TV: Kung fu movies and The Simpsons Who do you admire? Bruce Lee – he shows incredible discipline and self-control – and Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons Favourite music: Drum ‘n’ bass, progressive house, hip hop. Favourite song is Brown Paper Bag by Roni Size Favourite food: Pasta and pizza What irritates you? Bad refereeing and people interfering with the mixer and pitch control when I am on the decks Favourite reads: Lord Of The Rings and FHM, Maxim, Loaded What are you afraid of? Looking foolish in front of millions of television viewers Three things you’d take to a desert island: Turntables, football, PS2 If you could be anyone for a day it would be: DJ Mampi Swift Greatest sporting achievement: Becoming U20 National Champion Greatest sporting disappointment: Never making it further than the last 64 in the cadet world championships

On Born To Win: continent; their systems are much more established; It’s been going really well so far.We’re all athletes in bigger, better.Their fencers are like superstars. the sense of the term, we’ve all been away on internationals, we all train hard, we’ve all got Fencing is all explosive, 100 per cent all the way. It’s regimes that we stick to – some more than others such an all-round sport, you need to have a good – but we can all relate to each other quite well. level of everything. It teaches you certain Personally I’m looking forward to the agility and disciplines… It’s described often as chess at the speed events and the power events, and least speed of the martial arts because it’s so tactical, looking forward to the endurance events. you have to be able to think really well and quickly under pressure, and when you learn to do that it On his sport: broadens your scope of everything. My dad did a bit of fencing when he was in the Army and he got affiliated with a club in Stratford I think it’s seen to a lot of people as chivalrous but and then when I was old enough I joined and I’ve when someone whacks you around the back of the never looked back since. I really enjoy it, it’s such a head you don’t consider them particularly great sport to get involved in. It’s just a shame that chivalrous – you want to get in and whack him it’s a minority sport still.There is no money in it, back! I think all the classic saluting is more tradition there is no way I can ever make a living from my than anything else.At the end of the day you are fencing. Particularly not living in England. Perhaps if I fighting against your opponent so being chivalrous moved to Germany or somewhere on the doesn’t help you to win a fight!

Born To Win 29 The male competitors

Matthew McLean (17) – rugby player

Lives in Cardiff with father Philip, mother Andrea, brother Andrew and sisters Natalie and Kirstie. He enjoys training, watching TV, going to the cinema and hanging out with his friends. He most admires his sports teacher because of his experience, influence and encouragement. In the future he would like to be a professional rugby player. Personality: Enthusiastic, confident and determined. I deal with anger by taking no notice and walking away Favourite movies/TV: All movies, particularly comedy eg Monty Python films and comedy shows on TV eg Friends, Only Fools And Horses and The Simpsons Favourite music: Hip hop, pop, rock, R&B. Favourite song is Supreme by Robbie Williams Favourite food: Chinese food What irritates you? My mother nagging me all the time Greatest achievement: Doing well in my GCSEs What do you look for in a friend? Humour and an easy-going nature Sporting hero: Jonny Wilkinson. He’s is so accurate and good at everything he does Favourite celebrity pin-up: Jennifer Love Hewitt Three things you’d take to a desert island: Hair gel, mobile phone, CD player Greatest sporting achievement: Being picked to play for both Bath and Cardiff Under 17s

On Born To Win: On his sport: I think it’s a good idea because nothing like this has I was sport mad when I was young. My dad used to been done before so I think it’s original. I like the play squash and I just used to pick up a bat and ball fact that we’re staying in one house together, it’s and have a whack against the wall. I was playing all wicked, it’s a good laugh. kinds of sports – not really committed, but just as you do when you’re a kid.Then my brother wasn’t Personally I think there are people who could be really doing anything so my mother decided to take fitter than others, but at the end of the day it’s the him down to the rugby club, and I tagged along and mental attitude that might push someone through I got into it more than him, and I just took it from to win; whoever wants to dig in that much deeper there. I had the backing from my mum and dad and to go through that pain barrier.Who wants to win as the years went on I’ve got more serious and I’ve the most, really. I think I should do all right – I don’t had more support from my teachers, who have want to say that I will go on to win because you pushed me further to get higher honours. can’t be too confident, you’ve got to keep an eye out in case something does go wrong, but I’ll stay I’m a captain so I’m good at psyching the rest of confident and see how it goes.As long as I do my the team up so I know what to do for myself. I play best. If I do my best and I don’t win, then obviously other sports as well, individual sports; I’ve done the better person beat me so it’s fair, but there’s no athletics and I do a lot of circuit training so I’ve got point coming out here to be half-hearted so I’ll give to push myself hard through those training sessions 100 per cent. on my own anyway.

Born To Win 30 The male competitors

Patrick McVey (18) – middle distance runner

Lives in Glasgow with his mother Margaret and sisters Anna and Frances. He gained five Scottish Highers at school. In the future he would like to be a professional athlete or be involved in the media. He enjoys listening to music, hanging out with friends and eating and cooking. His idea of a good night out would be a meal with friends followed by going to a nightclub. Favourite movie/TV: Comedies and inspirational films like Rocky/Neighbours Music: Queen, Billy Joel, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Steely Dan,The Eagles. Favourite song is Sailing by Christopher Cross Favourite food: Pasta Three words that describe you best: Patient, laid-back and friendly Magazines: Mens Health and Italian football magazines Favourite author/book: Bill Bryson/One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest What do you look for in a friend? Sense of humour and dependability What are you bad at? Dancing Three items you’d take to a desert island: Sunblock, a knife, sleeping bag Greatest sporting achievement: Being part of the relay team that won the Scottish 3x800m title in 1999 Who was your favourite teacher? Mr McVey – my dad! He was a superb teacher who was extremely enthusiastic and made me enjoy English. He was also incredibly patient. He died last year so sadly many pupils will miss out on the privilege of being taught by him On Born To Win: On his sport: I am extremely determined to do well in this I dropped out when I was 15 and I’m just picking it competition but I can put things into perspective. up again now. I had glandular fever for a year, that’s To some this would be the be all and end all but I one of the main reasons why I stopped.Then know better than most that life is full of setbacks shortly after I recovered my dad died suddenly so and that you must learn to get over them. that sort of threw me off for another year, I lost all motivation to do anything. My dad was the one I’m a runner so I’m not looking forward to the who introduced me to all sports, snooker and upper body strength tasks because I’m not athletics, golf, whatever, so it’s good that I’m able to brilliantly strong and I’ve not actually competed for do this now – it’s for him, in a way. over two years due to illness and stuff. I’m so surprised I’m here because I was really out of form I played a lot of snooker and that’s what took more and fitness coming into the competition. But even if stage than running but now I’m training a lot more I was to get eliminated in the first week – I’m sure seriously and I’m hoping by next year to at least get that won’t happen, but even if it did, I’ve found a into the national squad and within a couple of years new motivation now to take it up seriously and the juniors or whatever. It’s really encouraging to hopefully in the next couple of years get some get this far and we’ll see what happens in the future. success out of it.

Born To Win 31 The male competitors

Fola Orilonishe (17) – footballer

Lives in London, where he grew up, with his father Kayode and his brother Tola. Gained six GCSEs at Blessed John Roche Roman Catholic school and would like to be a professional footballer in the future. He enjoys listening to music and going to the cinema. For a good night out he would go to a dance with friends. Movies/Television: Comedy and action films. Likes Third Watch on TV because it is realistic Music: Hip hop and R&B. Favourite song is The Good Die Young by Tupac Favourite food: Rice and chicken What irritates you? When people feel sorry for themselves Three words that best describe you: Enthusiastic, hazardous and easy-going What do you look for in a friend? Easy-going nature What are you afraid of? Being physically disabled and not being able to do anything Three things you’d take to a desert island: Football, phone, lady friend If you could be anyone for a day it would be: Thierry Henry Greatest sporting achievement: Coming second in the English Schools and AAA Greatest sporting disappointment: Not getting into a professional youth football academy What makes you stand out from the crowd? I can be loud and tend to say what’s on my mind if needed

On Born To Win: On his sport: I think it’s a really good project that the BBC is At the moment my speciality is football but it tends doing, if they could do it yearly I think it could to change; I also do basketball and athletics.After benefit British sport. about six months of hurdles training I decided to go into the English Schools and AAAs and came second I tried to enjoy it at Loughborough. I didn’t think I’d in the 80m hurdles. But I prefer football – it’s really get through because I saw a lot of fit and good my passion. I play either left wing or up front.That’s athletes around me but I just took it one step at a my ultimate ambition, to be a professional footballer. time and did events and then when they called my For Arsenal, without a doubt! I’ve been supporting name I was just flabbergasted. them since I was about eight – that’s when I really Surprisingly we’re all getting on pretty well, we’re all got into football. I thought I’d like to play so my dad friendly, cracking jokes and everything like that, we got me involved and it started from there. For me spend most of the time in the lounge chatting and to be a footballer will take a lot of work and it’s relaxing. I’m not sure how it will go when we start also a matter of luck to get spotted by a scout competing but at the moment everyone’s relaxed because you never know when they’re going to and it’s a nice atmosphere to be around. come.There’s loads of players out there that I’ve seen who are better than me but they’ve just never I think we’ll stay in touch. I’ve kept in touch with a been seen and never played for a pro club, but I’ve few people from Loughborough that didn’t make it had the privilege of being seen and having played for here. Even though it’s about competing and winning, a couple of pro clubs. it’s great if you can collect new friends on the way.

Born To Win 32 The male competitors

Tom Reynolds (18) – decathlete

Lives at home in County Down, Northern Ireland with his parents Robert and Teresa, brothers Luke and Ben and sisters Sophie and Jessica. He gained 11 GCSEs, 4 AS Levels and 3 A Levels and would like to go on to university. In the future would like to join the Fire Service as the shift patterns allow plenty of time for training. Enjoys playing pool/snooker, computer games, watching The Simpsons and socialising with his friends. Doesn’t like his hair as it has limited styling potential! Favourite movies: Action Music: Rock, punk, garage, commercial dance. Favourite song is Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi Favourite food: Spaghetti bolognese What irritates you? Almost nothing except maybe an incredibly poor sporting performance although that can work in my favour. I release any anger through sport If you had a single wish what would it be? To have super powers like Superman or Dragonball Z’s Goku.Then I would be able to do what I liked What do you look for in a friend: Honesty and a sense of humour Least favourite sporting activity: Table tennis What are you afraid of? Injury as I have never truly experienced it Three things you’d take to a desert island? Pool table,TV/video player (solar powered), Simpsons box set Greatest sporting achievement: Breaking the Northern Ireland junior decathlon record by 200 points and getting seven personal bests in the process.This led to my first Great Britain call up

On Born To Win: On his sport: I really feel like I’ve gained so much experience really, I wouldn’t really fancy training for one specific it just seems to work on every aspect, even since event, I really enjoy the variety, I never get bored. Loughborough I’ve felt my performance in athletics The decathlon has a specific kind of mentality to it has got a lot better. I’m adapted to everything really You do your event and whatever happens, you use except endurance which I’m not the best at, I’m your good vibes to bring you on to the next event more of a power athlete. But I feel I can adapt well to or you completely forget about it and wipe it clean. all the events. Being a decathlete could give me an I feel I’ve got a lot of practice at that, I’m quite laid advantage but sometimes when people do new back, so I know when to chill, but when the time things, they go out and do amazingly so it just comes I can switch on when I want to. depends, but I think I’ve got a good chance. I was involved in sport all my life, my dad used to We’re competing every day for two and a half weeks be an international hurdler and rugby player – not and that’s really tough. It’s a combination of mental at senior levels, he was far too lazy to train, but my strength and physical ability; but a lot of it is how you granddad was a boxing coach at the 1992 Olympics prepare before the event, during the event, how you so I’ve grown up in sport. I joined my first club at warm down. I think we’re going to get pretty well 12; I’d been doing it before that but that was when taken care of by all the guys so it should be okay. I started getting into the multi-events.

Born To Win 33 The events

Born To Win – the events

Programme One THE SUMMIT Category: WATER SPRINT • Core strength • Endurance Category: • Determination • Power and Speed Objective: • Focus Supported on their forearms, with their legs hanging freely, players have to raise their knees up Objective: and down.The player who completes the most Two contestants take part in a head-to-head knee lifts in three minutes is the winner. Completed sprint, starting off at opposite ends of a 120m at an altitude of 2811m. (60m each) straight track. In the middle is a thin vertical wall of water that is the finish line for Who would be good at this: both competitors.The first competitor through • Sportspeople with good core muscles the water wins. • Boxers • Gymnasts Who would be good at this: • Rowers • Sprinters • Martial arts • Rugby backs • Footballers such as Michael Owen,Thierry Henry Programme Two

PURSUIT THE WALL

Category: Category: • Agility • Strength • Endurance • Agility and co-ordination

Objective: Objective: Played head to head. Starting opposite each other, Three players start simultaneously at the bottom of competitors have to chase each other under and a six-metre, steep wall.They have to race to the top over the obstacle bars on a circular course.Their as fast as possible by placing two short bars into times are recorded after five laps – and points are holes that are drilled in the wall and positioned awarded based on these times. from the bottom to the top, by dragging themselves up using the bars and their upper body strength.

Who would be good at this: Who would be good at this: • Tennis players • Climbers • Footballers • Gymnasts • Rugby players • Boxers • Gymnasts • Judo players

Born To Win 34 The events

ROOF-TOP SLALOM Programme Three Category: • Agility STRIKE • Co-ordination

Objective: Category: Competitors have to weave their way around a • Hand-eye co-ordination slalom course as quickly as possible, getting only a glimpse of their opponents’ progress.The player Objective: who completes the course in the quickest time is Players stand on a raised platform armed with a the winner. baseball bat. Balls are fired upwards from the platform and the player has to hit them as far as Who would be good at this: possible into a scoring zone. • Rugby players such as Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson Who would be good at this: • Footballers such as David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane • Baseball players • Tennis players • Racquet sports • Cricket players LUGE PUSH CIRCUIT JUMP Category: • Power Category: • Explosive lower body power • Power • Agility Objective: • Co-ordination Positioned on their backs and pushing a heavy weight ahead of them, players slide up the 20m Objective: course, using their legs to move the weight.The Players specify the distance they wish to jump from player who completes the course in the fastest five available. If they successfully complete this time is the winner. distance they collect points (1-5). Each player has four attempts, with a maximum possible score of 20. Who would be good at this: • Rowers Who would be good at this: • Power lifters • Long jumpers • Sprinters • Triple jumpers • Sprinters IRON RUN DRAG RACE Category: • Endurance Category: • Decision Making • Power and strength Objective: Objective: Players have a tough decision to make based on how Played head to head. Competitors drag weights well they know their own strengths. Prior to this down an 18m course.As they progress further cross-country race, they have to decide how much down the course, they accumulate a second and weight they want to carry; players will start the race (for males) a third weight. Players race against the at different times depending on how much weight clock trying to achieve the quickest time possible. they carry.The first player over the finishing line wins. Who would be good at this: Who would be good at this: • Sprinters • Endurance athletes such as Paula Radcliffe • Rugby players such as Martin Offiah, Lawrence Dalalgio

Born To Win 35 The events

SWIM SHOT POWER LIFT Category: Category: • Focus when fatigued • Power • Endurance • Explosive power • Hand-eye co-ordination Objective: Objective: Players have to propel a large weight as far upwards Four floating platforms are set up in a line on the lake. as they can in one explosive movement.The weight From their individual platforms, competitors shoot a slides vertically up along a 20ft pole.A gauge displays paintball at a target 25m away.Which part of the target the height achieved.The player who propels the a player hits determines which buoy they must swim weight the highest after three attempts wins. around (the nearer the centre, the closer the buoy) before returning to the platform to fire the next Who would be good at this: paintball.The sequence is repeated five times.The • Power lifters player to complete the course in the fastest time wins. • Shot put throwers Who would be good at this: PEDAL POWER • Bi-athletes Category: • Endurance Programme Four • Focus • Power ROPE CLIMB Objective: Category: To complete the mountain bike course as fast as • Strength and endurance possible. En route there are six throwing stations (two per lap) where competitors get off the bike and Objective: throw a ball as far as they can.The distance thrown Players have to climb up between two six-metre determines the waiting penalty (longer throw equals vertical ropes using only hand-held ascenders.The shorter wait).The player with the fastest time wins. fastest competitor to the top is the winner. Who would be good at this: Who would be good at this: • Mountain bikers • Climbers • Throwing events – shot, discus, javelin • Gymnasts • Boxers and martial arts players Programme Five LIGHT CHASE Category: BENCH STEP • Speed and agility Category: • Co-ordination • Endurance • Reactions • Peripheral vision Objective: To complete 20 bench steps on each level before Objective: moving on to the next step.There are five steps Starting in the centre, players have to run to the outer and the rise of each step is higher than the last.The edges of the Born To Win logo and hit out the lights as player who reaches the top first wins. they appear. Each player runs the same sequence of lights, involving 10 shuttles from and to the centre. Who would be good at this: Who would be good at this: • Boxers • Tennis players • Footballers • Footballers such as David Beckham, Michael Owen • Rugby players

Born To Win 36 The events

THE CRANK

Category: • Power • Upper body endurance

Objective: Players have to wind a two-handed mechanical crank to raise a sail. It starts off easy but the more revolutions you turn, the greater the resistance.

Who would be good at this: • Rowers such as Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell • Weightlifters • Sailors such as Ellen MacArthur

LAUNCH PAD

Category: • Agility • Co-ordination • Jumping • Power

Objective: Competitors start by collecting a magnet from a table.They have to run, jump and try to stick the magnet into one of the eight scoring zones on the metal wall. Players have one minute to score as highly as possible by repeating this procedure over and over.

Who would be good at this: • Basketball players • High jumpers

TRI LAKE

Category: • Endurance

Objective: Competitors have to swim one length of the lake, then bike 10 laps around the lake and finally run three laps around the lake to the finish line.

Who would be good at this: • Tri-athletes • Endurance athletes such as Paula Radcliffe • Swimmers such as Ian Thorpe

Born To Win 37 Biographies

Presenter/contributor biographies Dermot O’Leary Colin Jackson

Dermot O’Leary was born in Colchester on 24 One of the greatest athletes in the history of May 1973.After gaining a BA in Media and British athletics, hurdler Colin Jackson CBE hung up Television with a minor in Politics at Middlesex his spikes in front of a roaring home crowd at the University he worked as a TV runner before going World Indoor Championships in Birmingham in on to do the warm-up for Channel 4's Light Lunch. March 2003. Despite missing out on a medal, it was a more than fitting end to the competitive career He was the spearhead behind Channel 4’s Sunday of one of the nation’s favourite sporting morning hangover cure, the hugely successful T4, and personalities, having decided to finally retire from was the show’s main presenter for two and a half the sport he has dominated for so long. years until his lamentable departure in July 2001. Current European Indoor Champion at 60m Since leaving he has started his own production hurdles, Colin, 36 and from Cardiff, has been ranked company, Murfia, and has completed two new shows. in the world top 10 for the last 16 years, was world Dermot’s Sporting Buddies for BBC Three is a co- No. 1 from 1992-1994 and was never out of the production with Chrysalis involving celebrities world’s top three during the last seven. indulging their sporting passions. Re:Covered is a co- production with Blaze TV, and is a fast-paced live He is the reigning 110m hurdles world record music show, also for BBC Three, the second series of holder outdoors (12.91secs, world title, Stuttgart which transmitted in Spring 2003. Dermot presents 1993) and at 60m hurdles indoors (7.30secs, and is associate producer for both of the shows. Sindelfingen 1994) and, since setting a European junior record of 13.44secs in 1986, has gone on to His most recent credits include the massively set seven European, eight Commonwealth and nine successful SAS:Are You Tough Enough? for BBC Two. UK records at 110m hurdles. This again, proved popular enough for a second series to be commissioned, based in the wilds of Colin is one of the most respected and loved of all Borneo. Prior to this Dermot displayed another of British sports stars and his down-to-earth, his talents as a DJ on London indie radio station approachable manner has endeared him to both XFM. He also famously presents Big Brother’s Little public and media alike throughout his career. He is Brother, which has returned again this year with the also renowned as one of Britain’s most stylish and show going live six days a week transmitting on photographed sportsmen. both E4 and Channel 4. Although he will no longer be seen racing, Colin ‘Live’ is Dermot’s forte and he has hosted many has several exciting forthcoming projects that will events, including Party In The Park,The Clothes Show ensure he is a regular face in the public eye both Live,The Empire Film Awards,The British Independent on and off television.As well as his work on Born Film Awards and the Heat Crusaid Auction. To Win, Colin will be seen commentating for BBC Sport. He is due to publish his autobiography in the autumn. He has also been voted one of GQ magazine’s ‘Men of the Year’!

Dermot’s main interests include music, film, cooking and anything ocean-based. He is a keen diver, fisher, surfer and body-boarder. Most of Dermot’s spare time this year was taken up training and running again for the Flora London Marathon; he has vowed never to do it again, but he said that last year…

Born To Win 38 Biographies

Sally Gunnell Dave Collins

Sally Gunnell OBE is arguably the greatest female Dave is Professor of Physical Education and Sport athlete Britain has ever produced and the only Performance at Edinburgh University.As an academic woman in history to have ever concurrently held all he has had over 90 peer review publications and 16 four major championship gold medals – Olympic, books/book chapters published. In applied terms, he World, Commonwealth and European – as well as is an accredited sport psychologist who has, to date, the world record. Her outstanding achievements in worked with 27 World or Olympic medallists. Dave the 400m hurdles saw her voted No. 1 Greatest is a Director of Performance Psychology for Ever Sporting Heroine in a Norwich Union poll. Excellence (P2E), a company which specialises in the application of interdisciplinary approaches to the Following her retirement from athletics in promotion of excellence, and VICI,a company which September 1997, Sally immediately entered the designs interdisciplinary, haematological and media arena, working with the BBC and Channel 4. biochemical testing procedures for elite sport. His Today she is an integral member of the BBC Sport current research interests include Talent broadcasting team, a role she has undertaken since Identification and Development (TID), coach 1999.As well as her work with the BBC’s athletics development, sport psychophysiology and the output, she has fronted coverage of many of the promotion of peak performance across different UK’s top road races, including the Flora Light challenge environments. Women’s Challenge and the Great North Run. As a performer, he was excessively average at low In addition to sports broadcasting, Sally’s versatility skill sports such as rugby,American football, martial as a presenter has been shown through the highly arts and outdoor pursuits. Despite his Saturday acclaimed Channel 4 children’s programme Peak Night Fever standard, he has also worked with high- Performance and through three series of ITV’s peak- level dancers and musicians in performance- time show Body Heat. enhancement settings. Dave has coached martial arts and rugby to national level. Utilising her extensive experience as a world-class athlete, Sally is one of today’s leading spokeswomen Steve Ingham on motivation and well-being. Her inspiring and engaging corporate speaking programme has Dr Steve Ingham is currently the Senior Sports earned outstanding testimonials from all audiences, Physiologist at the British Olympic Medical Centre, including leading Blue Chip companies. where he has worked since 1998. Prior to that. from 1996-1998, he was Sports Performance In addition to this, Sally has published a number of Officer with the West Midlands Sport Council. titles including the highly successful Be Your Best, based As well as having led the physiological support for on her individual, non-threatening and realistic the British Rowing and Bobsleigh teams since 1998, approach to health and fitness and general well-being. Steve has also been part of support teams at over 40 field-based training camps, including warm An energetic mother of two, Sally, now 37 and weather, altitude and cold environments; and originally from Chigwell in Essex, still finds time to numerous international events, in particular the spearhead charity events such as Cancer Research Sydney and Salt Lake City Olympic Games. UK’s Race For Life, and continues to fulfil her role as a figurehead for the British Heart Foundation Steve has a first-class Hons degree in Sports where she is involved in a number of their key Science from the University of Brighton, holds initiatives. Sally’s own passion to help get and keep BASES accreditation and BOA registration and is children healthy and active is enhanced by her the author of several peer-reviewed publications association with leading children’s nursery Tumble and the text Exercise, Physiology And Functional Tots.She acts as both a consultant and ambassador Anatomy. He is about to finish his PhD studies at in their continued development as the leading the University of Surrey, in the area of oxygen organisation in children’s activity groups. uptake, kinetics and performance.

Born To Win 39