Richard Whitehead MBE on the importance of role models in sport ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Former Team GB Paralympics gold medalist Richard Whitehead MBE discusses the importance of teachers and role models to young sportspeople and what impact they had on his glistening sporting career, looking past his disability.
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00:00Firstly, Richard, just tell us a bit about the roles that teachers played in your fantastic
00:07success, you know, throughout all those gold medals and how sort of important they were
00:12for you.
00:13I've been really fortunate enough to have so many people around me that have given me
00:17the tools and the support that's needed for that success. I think the opportunity that
00:24we have at this present time, it's about kind of giving back to those individuals that have
00:30supported me with their timeless support and showing how thankful we are for that success.
00:37And what sort of impact did they have on you and why has it lasted so long? Obviously,
00:42you know, you're such a young age at that time where these teachers are involved in
00:46your life and that, you know, you sort of never forget how important that was to you.
00:51And when you've achieved things like your fantastic sporting career, or it could be
00:56anything in life really, but they do tend to last.
01:00It has a massive impact on their sport and hobbies in the future. So you think about
01:04maybe that support you have from that form tutor that started you within your swimming
01:09journey or canoeing or equestrian, then the likelihood is that you'll start to pick up
01:15a hobby outside of school that will then be with you for the rest of your life. So these
01:20are key inspirational, liberating figures that provide you with the tools for future
01:27life. And we all have those. We all have those obstacles and challenges in our life. And
01:33these teachers selflessly give their time and effort. Sometimes financially, they support
01:39their pupils in becoming the better form of their self. And for me, it's really important
01:44now that we show them that we care about them, be kind, show them that gratification.
01:51And how good are the games for actually inspiring the next generation? Obviously, London 2012
01:57will have been watched by so many who are actually competing now in 2024.
02:02When I go around to sporting environments, to school environments, showing the videos
02:07of London 2012, it's a great moment to share how we came together as a country to really
02:15support not just sport for Olympians and Paralympians, but also the legacy from that, whether it's
02:22new training facilities or coaching structures, or liberating children around the possibilities.
02:29That's why it's really important that when we put on those tracksuits, we feel it's more
02:34than just the sport. It's about the legacy we leave. And that is so important. And France
02:41being so close, there's an opportunity to jump on the train or jump on the ferry over
02:47to France and actually watch some high level sport. Or when the successful athletes come
02:53back into your community, really celebrate that success and be liberated to be a sportsman
02:58or woman in the future.