ACCORDING TO May the Games begin... and get us all motivated
TODAY marks the long-awaited Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. The first Olympics are traditionally dated to 776 BC in ancient Greece, in honour of the God Zeus. and competed for every four years – or Olympiad.
Since then, the modern Olympic Games – this is the 32nd – have evolved and grown.
Not just in terms of the numbers of sports involved and the number of countries taking part, but also in what it represents. It promotes unity in diversity, but most of all it inspires.
As we all eagerly wait for the competitive sport to start and hopefully for some of our amazing Team GB athletes to bring home gold, it seems a good time to reflect on how we can all adopt a little of the Olympic spirit.
Our incredible athletes, some of whom are from Derbyshire and Staffordshire, including Adam Peaty swimming), Fraser Clarke (boxing), Jessica Turner (athletics), to name but a few, are an inspiration to us all.
From past experience we know a new generation will be inspired to push themselves further, to try a new sport, to get fit and to be the best version of themselves. Let that be all of us.
If there has ever been a time to put those trainers on, try that new sport you have been thinking about or finally make it to that gym class, then now is the time.
The pandemic has certainly made things difficult for everyone, with gyms closed and many of us lacking motivation. Now, as we return to some sense of normality and the Games begin, let’s rediscover that motivation and get out there.
Trying a new sport doesn’t just help us to feel better physically but also mentally, it can lead to new friendships and you may find you have a hidden talent for a sport you hadn’t even thought about before.
Encouraging people to exercise needs to start from a young age, helping children and young adults form good habits that can last a lifetime.
Local leisure centres, sports clubs and community groups in South Derbyshire have some fantastic facilities open to all.
In fact, you don’t even need any facilities: South Derbyshire is an amazing place to go walking.
So, as the Olympic Games begin, let us all take this time and opportunity to find a new sport or begin to exercise and encourage our children and young people to join a team and try something new this summer.
Sports and exercise can be fun, sociable and help us to lead healthier lives, both mentally and physically.
We are not all super-human athletes but, as French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee, famously said: “It’s not the triumph but the struggle” it’s the trying and taking part that matters most.
So this Games, let’s get behind Team GB’S incredible athletes – and encourage one another to be healthier and fitter.
And you never know, there might be an Olympic athlete in one of our children just waiting to be discovered.