Athletes who are in Doha to compete in tomorrow's Diamond League pose for a group photo along with the coaches and students during their visit to Aspire Dome in Doha yesterday. Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) and the Diamond League arranged the event.
Aspire Academy, in collaboration with the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) and the Diamond League, welcomed a group of elite Olympic athletes to the Aspire Dome yesterday.
The guests included 2016 Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi from Greece, former world champion in the 100m race, sprinter Kim Collins from Saint Kitts and Nevis and eight-time Olympic medal winner, sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown from Jamaica.
These stars, who are in Doha to compete in the IAAF Diamond League tomorrow, took part in a lively panel discussion with the Academy’s renowned coaches and student-athletes during which they shared their experience at the forefront of international sports and what kept them going and committed to the sport.
Speaking during the panel discussion, Collins admitted to facing tough situations during his career that pushed him to the verge of quitting.
“I thought of retiring and so I signed up for an IAAF course to become a track and field coach. Then I realised that I should utilise my knowledge to return to sports even stronger. Because in the end, having a positive perspective, determination and hard work are key to success.”
“We all have to deal with tough situations from time to time, because life has its ups and downs,” Campbell-Brown added.
Meanwhile, Stefanidi shared her personal experience saying that her own failures contributed to her big success. She told the young student-athletes: “You have to pass by the hard times in order to be able to experience great ones too.”
When asked about their inspirations, the sprinter Campbell-Brown focused on the important people who have supported her in her career. “There were several people who inspired me to become the athlete I am today, including my primary school and high school coaches, my manager and family.
"Having a group of people who love and support you, and who have your best interest at heart will motivate you to achieve great things. They will be honest with you and will always push you whenever you’re feeling lazy and will cheer you up when you’re down. They see your potential and help you live up to it.”
Stefanidi, on the other hand, had a different outlook on it. She admitted that she never had a chance to look up to anyone for inspiration, which made her want to be an inspiration for others through her own story. Whereas Collins said that his competitors were his biggest inspiration, because “in order to be the best, you cannot accept defeat.”
Speaking on behalf of Aspire Academy, Professor Tim Cable, Director of Sports Science, thanked the athletes, the Diamond League and the Qatar Athletics Federation for their contribution to this event.
“We really appreciate the time and effort put into granting our student-athletes this amazing opportunity. The athletes visiting us today are a source of inspiration to our student-athletes and we hope the opportunity to meet and speak with them today motivates and pushes our students in their future careers.”
After the panel discussion, the star athletes were taken to the Indoor Track at Aspire Dome, where they were joined by German javelin thrower Thomas Rohler and British long-distance sprinter Andrew Butchard to demonstrate their skill and advise the student-athletes on the correct form and mind-set to prepare for the race.
