Gold fever: How the Olympics spark a nation’s sporting passion
Many kids dream of being athletes. While it becomes a reality for just a few, research shows global sporting events can inspire a lifelong love of sport.
Whether you’re six or 96, the Olympic Games – held once every four years – has a way of captivating the entire nation as we tune in to share the incredible feats of sporting endeavour from dedicated athletes around the world.
Overnight, we become armchair experts on diving and each dive’s degree of difficulty, what constitutes a medal-winning stroke rate in rowing and how to execute a clean and jerk in weightlifting.
And, according to research by ASICS, the official uniform partner of the Australian Olympic team, our fascination with the Games extends beyond brushing up on our “fan speak” – it also inspires us to get involved with sport or physical activity ourselves.
The research of more than 1000 Australian adults found not only do they love watching our Aussie athletes compete, but one in six dreamt of becoming an Olympian as a child, and two-thirds have been motivated to get involved in sport after watching the Olympics.
How big sporting events motivate us to move
ASICS ambassador and psychologist Meg McClurg says humans have a way of building confidence in themselves through vicarious experience.
“We watch others and think ‘they’re pushing themselves’, maybe I could too,” McClurg says.
“Even though, for most of us, we’re not at that same level of ability, we can still draw parallels with our own experience, and that can spark interest in taking up a particular activity.”
While watching inspirational performances on the world sporting stage might motivate us to take up a physical activity, McClurg says it’s the personal rewards we discover once we start that keep us turning up.
“The research found people’s primary reason for exercising was improved mental wellbeing and reducing stress – so people really are moving for the feel-good factor.”
Regardless of whether it’s Olympics-inspired, McClurg says whatever gets us moving is a positive thing.
“There are obviously all the physical health outcomes such as improved fitness, improving muscle, bone and heart strength, from a psychological point, there are also improvements to mood, cognition and the social connectedness that comes from engaging in sport.”
What makes it so inspiring?
The four-year cycle adds to the drama of the Games, and McClurg says we get swept up in the excitement of seeing our athletes put everything they have on the line in pursuit of the holy grail in their field.
“The effort of becoming an Olympian is massive,” she says.
“We don’t often get to watch someone at their absolute peak, knowing all the hard work that’s gone into it, up there doing their best.”
She says our emotional investment in the athletes’ journeys is akin to the response we may feel watching a gripping movie.
“Remember the Matildas games during the Women’s World Cup and how the whole country really got caught up in the excitement and adrenaline – that filters into inspiration.”
McClurg says we love to get behind our Aussie athletes because we identify them as belonging to our tribe.
“We’re wired to be social and to want to connect and belong,” she says.
“When we see our Aussie athletes on TV, wearing our colours, we feel a bond and connection with them – even though we’ve most likely never met them – and become quite invested in how they go.”
How to tap into your ‘inner Olympian’
Australian javelin thrower Kelsey-Lee Barber grew up dreaming of Olympic glory and has worked hard to be ranked among the best in the world.
She shares her tips for following your dreams:
Set goals and know your ‘why’
Find a measure as to why you want to do this that goes beyond outcomes. What gets you excited about chasing your dream? What keeps you coming back for more and keeps you grounded when things aren’t going to plan? Acknowledge these drivers and set goals along the way to achieve them.
Keep a balance
Big goals and dreams can take a lot from you, so it’s important to not lose yourself in the pursuit. Looking after my wellbeing and striking that balance allows me to give everything to my training and competition and still enjoy life outside of sport.
Find a support network
Surround yourself with people you can trust and, most importantly, lean on when times get hard. Without the right people around you it can be easy to give up hope when things get rocky.
Believe in yourself
Self-belief is crucial. Committing to movement will be an adventure with ups and downs. The power of self-belief with supportive people around you can result in amazing achievements.
More inspiring stories:
- The rise of Torrie Lewis: Australia’s sprinting sensation
- Eyes on the prize: How to tackle setbacks like an Olympian
- Liz Clay: ‘I feel like I’ve had a second chance with my career’
- This is the No.1 workout to kickstart your fitness
Written by Claire Burke.
