LYG & Charles Cousins - All in one nice and neat package
The London Youth Games is a yearly event celebrating, progressing and demonstrating all that is good about the sporting community.
The atmosphere at these events is phenomenal, for instance today’s Regatta was full of vibrant and enthusiastic people all enjoying the summer sun and competition day. The two water sports taking place were Rowing and Kayaking with competitors from all London Boroughs. I remember when I was that age… well no, I remember when I was kayaking in Italy and couldn’t manage the simple concept of ‘staying afloat’.
Compared to my balance issues it is clear that the capabilities and sportsmanship of the competitors is outstanding. They were gracious competitors demonstrating a high level of respect towards each other. It is amazing to see what sports does to people, it brings them together and gives them motivation and goals in life. These days there’s a lot of bad-mouthing of youngsters, especially those in London, but if you were at the games today you would have seen a completely different scene. Sports (and in this case, rowing and kayaking) has given them a hobby, a goal and hope for their own futures. It is clear from last year’s Olympics that sports creates unity amongst everyone and allows people to share their passion.
Everyone’s passion is different because it’s based on their personal life and views but regardless it’s still passion and it’s always going to be easy to ignite in them. The London Youth Games allows young people to mix and socialise in friendly (yet challenging) competitions and helps their progression to the next level of their life, as a sporting event and as a life experience. I interviewed a few of the young athletes today and they were very goal-driven and simply happy to be there. They surround themselves with like-minded people and these sporting events give them a chance to experience what elite sporting is like.
It’s also great having support from Team GB’s Olympians and shows the competitors that they can also make it and that the possibilities are endless. Today they got the chance to meet and be supported by Charles Cousins, 2012 Olympics rower, who greeted them and watched the races. I had a conversation with Charles (…Charlie anyone? No, I guess we’ll stick to Charles) and he recalls his first race when he was watching one of the competitors row today, one of the poor boys fell off and it reminded him of his first race in junior trials. He was winning the final by clear water and was just coming to the last 250 when he fell in, this Olympian (who is rarely called Charlie), had his own embarrassing fall into the water and could sympathise with the boy who he spoke to afterwards. So not only do our Team GB athletes show up at these great games, but they offer advice and support to those ambitious young athletes who are going through the same thing.
When asked why he got into rowing in the first place, Charles replied that he wasn’t very sporty at school and was very lucky to be picked up by a talent scheme. Actually, to be honest the option was either detention or the rowing testing (I’m definitely not condoning bunking P.E but if anyone’s ever in need of an excuse, just say Charles Cousins did it and he’s now an Olympian… definitely not condoning it). According to Charles, it was all down to being at the right place at the right time with a great dose of luck. Although, if like me you’ve seen him at his best (watching videos counts) you’d agree that talent does factor into the equation.
It’s very endearing that the Team GB Olympians are still very grounded and down to earth, for instance Charles used to want to be a bee keeper, seriously who wouldn’t want an unlimited supply of honey? Well, I wouldn’t as I hate bees but that’s a conversation for another day. Back to the point, they are quite humble and are like any other person who has freebies thrown their way, they grab as much as possible to share with their loved ones (check out the Cousins household, kitted out in GB rowing gear).
It’s great that young people can meet those they look up to and think that one day it could be them or they could be working alongside their heroes. It makes it easier when those heroes are humble and supportive, showing that they’re as normal as the next person. If you live and breathe sports, the Balfour Beatty London Youth Games is a great platform to showcase and exercise your skills in a positive and motivating environment. Even if you’re not competing it is a wonderful atmosphere so come along and be a spectator.
Who knows, you might meet an Olympian who’s one day going to go pro on his acoustic guitar (secret rockstar dreams… ), let’s just hope that for now, someone leaks his most recent track!
