2012 london olympics.com

2012 London Olympics|Cycling

Photo by Velo Steve

How sad that sport can affect the way we behave. Apparently, Bradley Wiggins hasn't spoken to Mark Cavendish since the Beijing Olympics.

Is this a case of each blaming the other, or one expecting more from the other? Well...it doesn’t matter. They both left the stadium not talking to each other and have not spoken since.

Sport is supposed to build bonds of friendship, and not be a platform for blame or ill-feelings. Whether you win or lose, if you are a team, you care for each other. The preparation is often years of training, and it is all over in seconds for some events, and hours for others. We should never allow a few minutes of sport to interfere with our team spirit.

Let’s hope they patch things up. Let’s also hope that at the London Olympics in 2012 we do not experience this type thing. We need team spirit and not blame.

2012 London Olympics| Tug of War

The Tug of war is a test of strength where tow teams go up against each other. Although this is a recognised Olympic sport it will not be on the agenda in the 2012 London Olympics. It is a pity because I can see this as being a lot of fun to watch.

It is thought to have started a long, long time ago. Evidence is found in countries like Egypt, India, Myanmar and New Guinea. The origin of the game in India has strong archaeological roots going back at least to the 12th Century AD. The origins of Tug of War are clouded in mystery, but it is beyond dispute that this royal sport was practised in ancient Egypt and China.

The rules are quite simple - two teams of eight, whose total mass must not exceed a maximum weight determined for the class, align themselves at the end of a rope (approximately 10 centimetres in circumference). The rope is marked with a "centre line" and two markings for meters either side of the centre line. The teams start with the rope's centre line directly above a line marked on the ground, and once the contest (the "pull") has commenced, attempt to pull the other team such that the marking on the rope closest to their opponent crosses the centre line, or the opponents commit a foul (such as a team member sitting or falling down).
I guess there is a lot more skill than brute strength. I used to be in our Tug of war team at school.

2012 London Olympics| Getting a great Self-Esteem

It struck me recently that, if you have a lot of self-confidence, it does not mean you have a high self-esteem. There is a very big difference. I know many people with a lot of self-confidence, and yet they still have a low self-esteem. I do believe we can move from one to the other as we go through life. Being an athlete, and wanting to compete in the Olympic Games in London in 2012, means there is a lot of time to prefect both.

What is the difference between Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem?

Self-Confidence  - we believe in our ability to achieve amazing results. We seldom doubt what we undertake, and we believe it will turn out to our expectations. This is a very important quality to have in any sport, or in life in general.

Self-Esteem - we care about ourselves, and we really love who we are as a person (deep down inside). It has little to do with our ability to achieve. However, I do believe they go hand in hand.

You will often see people who have a low self-esteem appear to have loads of self-confidence - to the point of arrogance. That is how they compensate for the low self-esteem. The boxer Mike Tyson is a good example of this. I can think of a few singers and film stars that also fit this bill as well.

Here are a few hints and tips to get a great self-esteem.

• Stop believing you are a victim.
• Never fear change - welcome it into your life as an opportunity.
• Stop regretting past decisions - they are just “so what”.
• Stop putting yourself down in front of others.
• Stop apologising for anything and everything - for being alive.
• Stop engaging in self-sabotage.
• Stop criticising yourself and others.
• Never compare yourself to anyone else. Be your own best.

It is impossible to live a happy life with a low self-esteem!

A low self-esteem creeps in over a long period of time. Often we are not even aware we suffer from this.  A low self-esteem causes you to question - what is life all about ? Why do I feel so lonely and miserable deep down inside ? These are sure signs of a low self-esteem.

You can remove this stress by having the feeling of being a great person. You have every right to be on this planet. You have every right to compete and to win. Nothing and no-one can take that away from you without your permission. Realise this, and your self-esteem will grow.

Our athletes for the 2012 London Olympics must have a lot of self-confidence - but just as importantly, they need great self-esteem. This will give them confidence (without arrogance) and make them winners in their own right. I think we could all use this in our lives.

2012 London Olympics| Win with Imagination and Visualisation

There is a very big difference between imagination and visualisation. Imagination is the creation of ideas in your mind. Visualisation is the recall of things already experienced

All visualisation can do is recall all the past experiences you have had. If they have been negative (where you have lost a race or an event) then that is what you are constantly replaying in your mind.

Think back to childhood. Did you use your imagination and pretend to be Superman/woman ? You were actually Superman/woman in your mind, and you believed you could fly. I watch my Granddaughter play with her dolls. At 4 years of age, they are real little people to her. She talks to them, and in her mind, they answer her. As we get older, we realise this is our imagination - and we learn that its not a good thing to live in fairyland. How sad that we are never taught to use our imaginations correctly. The subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between something that is real, and something that is vividly imagined. That is the reason why, when we have nightmares, we have to remind ourselves that it was only a dream. While it was happening it was absolutely real.

We can use our imaginations to see ourselves winning race after race. You might not know it, but the guy who was a master at imagination and visualisation is Arnold Schwarzenegger. He won all of his competitions in bodybuilding in his mind, long before he entered the bodybuilding contests. Once we have these vivid pictures in our mind of winning races, it is then easy to recall them any time they are needed with visualisation. To the person visualising him/herself winning, the imaginings would be absolutely real, as if they had actually experienced them.

You would be seen by others as a person with absolute self-confidence in your ability to win. The mind is that powerful that what you think about, you bring about. If the pictures are crystal clear in your mind, and you believe and see yourself winning medals at the 2012 London Olympics, then the chances are, you probably will. The absolute worst that can happen is you will beat you best previous performance. That in itself is a winner !

2012 London Olympics| Winning

We have had a lot of information about this idea of winning or losing. Competition is not encouraged in schools anymore because they do not want children to feel they are less worthy than other children. I think it is the idea of being a winner or a loser. Unfortunately, in competition of any kind, if you are not seen as a winner, then you are seen as a loser. For this reason, schools try to avoid competition altogether. Well...that is not the answer. I believe it is the worst thing we can do. Children are learning that there are no losers - then they come into the real world - of business and even competitive sport. If you can't make it in business, you are out. There is no second chance.

I believe we should encourage children to compete against themselves, and if they win a race because of that - fantastic. I saw so many athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, who did not win a medal. Does that make them losers ? How far from the truth that is. Some of them produced their best times ever in a particular sport. You could see their pride. There is no way they feel bad about themselves. Their lives have been enriched by the experience and they have grown as people.

Winning and losing is part of life and always will be. Let us teach our children, and the athletes of tomorrow, to give it all they have got...to continually compete against themselves, and others, to be the very best they can be. Its okay to be placed second, or even last, if you have done your best.

I ran and coached a swimming club many years ago, and some of the kids were not very skilled at swimming. We would enter them in the swim meets, and they would come last by a long way. Other kids would even laugh at them which seemed quite cruel. After the galas, we would ask each of them "did you give it you very best shot ?" If they said yes, they were told they were winners in themselves. The actual position in the race was not important. With this attitude, not one of them ever wanted to miss a race - no matter how bad their skill was. The end result, after a time, was that a few of my swimmers went on to swim for Zimbabwe.

Lets hope our athletes have the winning bug, even if it is just for themselves, at the 2012 London Olympics. 

2012 London Olympics| Javelin Throwing

The javelin throw has been part of the Summer Olympics since 1906. The javelin was used in early times for war and hunting. Today it is used mostly as a sport.

A lot of sports seem to be dominated by certain countries - running sprints...Jamaica and the USA seem to be top, and distance running is dominated by Kenyan runners. The Javelin throw at the Olympics seems to be dominated by Norway, Sweden and Finland. Of the last 66 Olympic medals that have been awarded, 30 have gone to athletes from these countries. Finland is the only nation ever to have swept the medals, in 1920 and 1932.

You would think that to throw the javelin you would need load of brute strength, This is not the case. Technique is absolutely vital. The athlete has to have the ability to transfer a sprint from the legs into the shoulder into the arm, and then all that energy to the javelin. The angle is critical. All of this allows the javelin to fly effortlessly to record breaking distances.

The javelin itself has undergone changes. Today it is made of metal, fibreglass and, in some cases, carbon fibre. In 1986 a new model was introduced which was a design change intended to make the javelin peg into the ground. This was to avoid controversies when they landed flat on the ground. They moved the centre of gravity forward by 4 cm which caused it to come down point first more easily. Records were started afresh in 1986, and then again in 1999, because of javelin model updates.

Hopefully nothing will change for the 2012 London Olympics and we can have a few British athletes winning some of the medals.

The best throw with the 1986 Model is 98.48m by  Jan Železný (CZE)

Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway recorded a distance of 90.57m, a new Olympic record at the Beijing Olympics.

What will be the distance at the 2012 Olympics to be held in London ? Which nation will claim that victory ? Let’s hope it is GB.

2012 London Olympics| Keep the Dream Alive

How easily you can shatter a young person's dream by making a really stupid comment. Right now we have athletes who will be training their hearts out to make it into the 2012 London Olympics. People, who believe they are being realistic, sometimes make comments to the athletes that could ruin their lives - not just for now, but for ever. When someone has a dream, it is far better to let them try to live that dream than to destroy it, especially if it is to compete in the 2012 London Olympics. What is the worst thing that can happen ? They will have enjoyed the experience and got really fit in the process.

I decided to share some of the comments that were made on one of the bodybuilding videos I have on my Youtube - Bazblog. I have been very lucky and not had much negative criticism. I know some people have really been slagged off about there videos.

Getting a negative comment when you are training for something you consider important, can have an impact on what you do and how you do it. When you want to train, you must rise above what others think. You must remember, you are doing this for yourself and in my case (on my bodybuilding blog), I have made my training public. If it can help anyone, then I have done a lot of good. Are there fools in this world ? Off course there are. Are they entitled to their own opinions ? Of course they are. It is how you, as a person, react to this that makes the difference. Fortunately I have learned, and teach others in my everyday job, how to handle negative criticism and circumstances. I have a “So What” box in my mind. Any minor irritation that happens, I just put it in there and move on.

Comments on my videos.   

Comment - ur pretty weak to be handing out advice

My answer - I'm not here to impress anyone and I do not take steroids. I have done this for myself - reducing 6.5 inches in my waist in 120 days as seen on my website building muscles. A year ago, when using a gym, I did standing calf-raises with 400lbs and I often did squats on a squat rack of around 350 lbs. I am sure there are lots of people who can do more. I’m happy with what I do now at home. Baz

The next comment was like the Lone Ranger to the rescue, and was so refreshing to have someone out of the blue come to my assistance. I felt very humbled by the comment and also very positive that what I am doing is good for myself, and is helping others.

Comment -You are a great guy Baz. I actually came to Youtube today to see if you had posted any new videos. Your advices are great and you are modest. Some people would say all sorts, don’t mind them, just keep up the good work.

My reply - Thank you so much for such great comments. That is very encouraging. I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It would be a lousy world if we all agreed on everything. I will be putting a new video on this weekend. I hope you will enjoy it and use whatever tips you can to get the best results for yourself. Baz.

Out of the negative there is always a positive if you look for it and allow it. If you want to compete in the 2012 London Olympics, keep up your training and never allow a negative to stop you.

2012 London Olympics| Having Self-Confidence for the 2012 London Olympics

Winning and losing has a lot to do with how we think about ourselves. If we have any form of doubt, then we will not get the desired results that we want from life. Look at all the athletes who win consistently. Phelps and Bolt are two that come to mind. You can read it all over their faces. There was emotion, but it is more the look of total confidence that sets them apart. It is not easy to have confidence when you are under pressure. I have found a fantastic formula that I have used over the years. This will work for our 2012 Olympic athletes in London, and in fact, anyone in any situation.

The Formula for Self Confidence

1. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life. Therefore I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards its attainment, and I here and now promise to take such action.
2. I realise the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical reality. Therefore I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intend to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear mental picture of that person.
3. I know through the principle of autosuggestion/affirmations that any desire I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object. Therefore I will devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of self-confidence.
4. I have clearly written down a description of my Definite Chief Aim in life. I will never stop trying until I have developed sufficient self-confidence for its attainment.
5. I fully realise that no wealth, result or position can long endure unless built upon truth and justice. Therefore I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all to whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness and cynicism by developing love for all humanity because I will believe in them, and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

Taken from Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich”.

If we all applied this formula it would be a different world. I know that our athletes would certainly benefit from this. They will do their best to make us and themselves proud at the 2012 London Olympics but a genuine self-confidence is just the edge needed for gold.

2012 London Olympics| Goal Selecting| Gold at the 2012 London Olympics

Our Olympic athletes will have to select very careful goals if they want to get results. The goal of winning a gold medal is almost not enough. I think every athlete who enters the London 2012 Olympics will have the same goal.

Having, and working toward a goal, is one of the easiest ways to have focus and direction. I wanted to change my fat body a few months ago to one that is healthy and well-built. I have managed to achieve my goal. The reason is, I applied some of the really important principals in goal selecting. Remember I said goal selecting not goal setting. Goal setting is one of the easiest things in the world to do when you have made the correct selection.  I have come to realise that in order to set goals, we need to bear 4 things in mind with our selection of the goal.

1. Purpose...What exactly is the purpose for entering the 2012 Olympic games? If you have not given this any proper thought, then you will just get any old result. Often, not the results you want. The purpose must be definite in your mind, and then the journey can begin.
2. Prize...What exactly is the prize you are going to get? Is it the prize that you want, or is it a prize that someone else has convinced you that you want? Unless the prize is clear in your mind, you will fail. It might not be the gold medal - it might be the recognition. It might just be a personal challenge.
3. Plan...Putting together the plan will be one of the easiest things you will have to do when you clearly have, in your mind, the other two ingredients (Purpose, Prize). When putting together the plan, never consider what could go wrong in the future unless it is obvious. You will find that, even when problems occur they will melt, or an alternate route will appear. Do not fabricate problems. The clearer the mental picture of your prize, the easier the action steps.
4. Visualise…Put the picture of exactly how you want your goal to turn out in your mind. Do this every day without fail. The more time you spend on your visualisation, the easier you will achieve the goal.

This is not just for the athletes attempting the 2012 London Olympics, but for every person who wants to achieve anything in life. You can see my progress using this system at www.buildingmuscles.org.uk.

We all set goals every time we make a decision to do something. Even when we make no decision, that, too, is a goal. Having a positive and definite goal will give you direction and motivation. This system will help you to avoid landing yourself in the position of undertaking a task, and half-way through, realising that it is not for you. This will avoid you making statements like; “If I knew it was going to be like this, I would never have started.”

Let us hope our Olympic athletes will have this attitude of goal-selection when they choose to go for gold at our London Summer Games in 2012. 

2012 London Olympics| Get on Track

Motivation is a very big part of training. We all think that getting fit will help an athlete to win in the 2012 London Olympics. This is not the case, and getting fit is only a part of being the best. Getting on Track with your mind, and believing you are the best, is just as important as training to be the best.

The athletes who have won Gold medals at past Olympics (in fact any medal) had one thing in common. They all believed they were the best, and that they could do it. Athletes, we can have the same results at our 2012 Olympic if you try the following.

1. Write down what you are about, what you live for, why you are on this earth (mission). If that is too difficult, write what you really like doing. You will very soon see that there is enough information in there to give you a clue as to why you are on this planet.
2. Decide in your own mind what it is that you really want for the rest of this year. It doesn't matter how big it is. It is your vision, and you can decide on anything you want.
3. You must have an absolute belief that you are going to get what it is that you want. You cannot have even the slightest doubt that your goal will not materialise. Any form of doubt will cause the creative process to stop working and you will distance yourself from your actual goal.
4. This will be the hardest thing for you to do - live as though the goal you have set has already arrived. It is almost like trying to live a lie. At first this will be difficult for some, but each day it will get easier. You will see the things you want start materialising around you.

Sound easy - or do you think it is really hard work? Give it a go. Get started.

After having done this you'll feel better, and will have a much better idea about who you are. While taking these steps, make sure that you ignore the signals of conflict...the thoughts that might pop into your head and tell you “this will not work” or “this seems just too good to be true”. These thoughts will give you the exact result you are thinking. If you continue to think that it will not work - then it won't. You get exactly what you believe to be true.

Do not worry about how you are going to achieve this goal. Your job is to know it is going to happen and trust you will find a way when the time is right. When you drive your car at night you cannot see the destination, you can only see 200 yards ahead. As you reach that spot the next 200 yards unfolds and so on. You eventually arrive at your destination, no matter how far it is.

That is how it is in achieving our goal - whether it is to win a medal at the 2012 London Olympics, or to succeed at anything in life. When we worry about “How” we are going to get there, we cause all sorts of problems and we stop the creative part of our very being. We need to have a very good reason for the goal we have set and then let the “How” take care of itself. As the road unfolds in front of us, so will the “how”.

Let's hope our athletes get on track and win tons of medals at the 2012 London Olympics.