What is your function in the support squad, and what are your main duties?
As head of capability and expertise with the Sport Ireland Institute, I oversee numerous tasks. Additionally, I volunteer as an athletics coach and will be guiding Sharlene Mawdsley for her 400m, 4×4 Mixed, and 4×4 Womens events in Paris.
Can you discuss your contribution towards the athletes’ overall performance and wellbeing?
The coaching philosophy I adhere to insists that our essential obligation is to ensure a safe, cheerful, vigorous, and challenging setting for athletes to practice. Assessing our success should not only be limited to the number of medals won but should also consider how we treat our athletes and how we assist them in achieving their objectives. What matters most is not just the result but the journey there.
Would you share how you got into this field and what motivated you to follow this career path?
Having competed in the Olympics twice [Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000] and studied sports science as my profession, I was well prepared for coaching. I received my first coaching certification at 17 and began my coaching journey before my competitive athlete career had even concluded. My belief is that I can make significant and positive contributions to other athletes’ achievements.
Could you recount your favourite Olympic memory?
My fondest Olympic memory dates back to the 1984 Games when Carl Lewis took home four gold medals and John Treacy earned a silver. Their achievements made me passionate about sports and inspired me to dream of becoming an Olympian. The significance of the Games truly struck me as I watched the marathon where John and the late Jerry Kiernan took the lead, with the compelling commentary of Jimmy Magee playing in the background.
What are you most eagerly anticipating at the Olympics?
I’m most excited about watching Sharlene finally realise her dream of becoming an Olympian as she steps onto the track. Seeing her and her team’s performance is something I look forward to.
How do you manage moments of high stress, especially during critical competition moments?
I relish these high-pressure situations. They signify that the competition matters, and that I am where I want to be. It’s essential during these times to focus on the training we’ve done – the process is everything. Worrying about the end result won’t improve performance. Understanding that pressure is a valuable commodity, rather than a problem, helps to fuel success.
What approaches do you employ to aid sportspeople in recuperating between competitions?
Food and sleep are the primary focus. We’ve created a training regimen that assists athletes in participating in multiple rounds. Sharlene, for example, completed five 400m races in a span of six days during the Europeans, a feat typically accomplished in a month. She has mastered the art of starting anew after every race, leaving behind the previous performance and readying herself for the upcoming one.
How do you assist sportspeople who might be grappling with their performance?
There can be obvious reasons or it might require extensive exploration and additional people, but a solution always exists. My role is to devote myself to the athlete, to unearth the best possible answers and collaborate with them to resolve issues. There’s no purpose in identifying a problem if a solution cannot be found.
Gary Ryan oversees capability and expertise at the Sport Ireland Institute. The Sport Ireland Institute serves as the official performance support delivery partner for the Olympic Federation of Ireland. Sharlene Mawdsley is slated to compete in the 400m mixed relay on Friday evening.