Igniting the Olympic Spark
26 Days to go! What events do you have planned at your dojo?
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How do you measure the beginning of a dream?
A spark ignites.
Deep inside.
Fuelled it starts a fire that never goes out.
Each Olympic Games, these sparks ignite deep inside the bellies of judoka around the world.
Yet are we doing enough to be ready for these Games?
As dojo owners? As parents? As journalists? As National Governing Bodies? Me? You?
And if not, why not?
In just 26 days the Paris Olympic Games begins.
Surely it’s an unmissable opportunity to increase participation in our sport?
Or maybe not.
A week ago, when I began this article it had a very different title.
Convinced that an Olympic Games meant an increase in participation, I thought I’d get some data. Hard facts. That would prompt us all into action. So I asked and searched.
It’s disappointing. There’s not much data or evidence that directly supports the direct correlation between an Olympic Games and an increase in participation.
At best, a small spike in numbers following a Games. At worst some studies suggest an Olympic Games deters teenager participation. What? Yes, I know. Disappointing.
But at the same point this disappointing data was coming back to me, so did something else which made me realise I was looking in the wrong place.
And that was over 50 replies from judoka to this Facebook post.
I’d asked “have you been inspired by Olympic Games you’d watched on the TV?”
Stories from judoka poured in. You can read them all here (and please add your own)
Powerful. Because these are the dreams that once dreamt sustain a lifetime in judo. They take root deeply and don’t let go of you. Those of us who have been touched by this flame know it.
Yet intangible.
Impossible to put data on it.
After all how do you measure the beginning of a dream?
An Olympic Games can be the perfect trigger to inspire a life-time motivation or love of judo.
Chances are there is someone in your dojo that will be inspired. Perhaps it’s watching the GOAT Teddy Riner for a record breaking fourth Olympic gold? Or the invincible Abe twins with their incredible technique? And I’m sure that there will be a generation of British fighters looking up to Chelsea Giles and Lucy Renshall.
So next question …. how can we put the kindling in place so these sparks have the best chance in possible of lighting?
What have you planned at your dojo?
How are you going to kindle the Olympic spark?
There are 26 Days to go.
No time to waste!
Until then I’ll leave you with 15 healthy doses of inspiration to brighten your whole week!
Yours in judo,
Nik Fairbrother
🥋 NEXT WEEK, AN OLYMPIC BOOKLET THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH YOUR JUDOKA
🥋🥋 THE BOOKLET WILL LET YOUR MEMBERS KNOW WHICH WEIGHTS FIGHT ON WHICH DAYS, ALONG WITH PROMPTS TO GET THEM INTERESTED IN EACH DAY’S JUDO
🥋🥋🥋 IF YOU HAVE ANY OLYMPIC THEMED EVENTS PLANNED AT YOUR DOJO PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I’LL SHARE THEM. LET’S GET AS MANY JUDOKA AS POSSIBLE INSPIRED!
Photo by Luca Dugaro
Be inspired!
15 examples of Olympic sparks from judoka
You can read all 50+ replies here and please do add your own
Gemma Gibbons in the 2012 olympics for her drive, strength, will and determination not to give up driven by love. Even though was long after I stopped fighting, it inspired me for it was a person I would like my children to be like.
London 2012 inspired me to return to judo after 20 years of being out of the sport - I wanted to get my black belt. It took me another 2 years to actually feel fit enough to actually get back on the mat and I’ve been back for 10 years and I’m now working towards my 3rd Dan.
Karen Roberts Castle (Olympian)
Daley Thompson, in I assume the 1984 Games, was my connector to the Games. I was then fortunate to have found judo through my Dad and Dean Fletcher (Megan and Ben's big brother) sand so I was introduced to Pinewood. Then the big influence - my whole family with the Camerons travelling to Barcelona 1992 to support our club mate and hero...Nik. I went to everyday of the judo and saw every medal won, but the 56kg final was electric. The king of Spain was in the building and Miriam Blasco's name hauntingly chanted throughout the stadium. It didn't go Nik’s way in the final (she won the world's the following year), but that final stays with me to this day- and I think had a massive impact on my performance at the Junior World Champs 3 months or so later.
Philip Laats (4 x Olympian)
1976, watching Nevzorov (-71 I believe) beating a Japanese in the finale with good technique.
Claudia Zwiers Oly (1996 Olympic bronze medallist)
I saw the opening ceremony of Barclona 92 on TV. The next day I drove to Barcelona with friends and we watched judo there all week. With the idea that one day I would participate myself. And that was 1996 in Atlanta. and you know what happened there ;-): bronze medal
My recollection was 1972 Munich Games - Brian Jacks Bronze. Angelo Parisi Bronze and David Starbrook winning Silver and the first ever British Olympic Medal. 1976 Montreal - Starbrook bringing in a Bronze and Keith Rempfrey winning Silver in the Open. The feeling of the Olympics that filled my heart, was watching countries from all over the world, transcending wars, and hatred, (Cold War/ Vietnam), and coming together in the spirit of competition. It made my heart swell with hope for humanity at such a young and impressionable age. Finally, and equally as inspirational, was reading the story of Jesse Owens winning four Gold Medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, in the grip of Hitler and Nazi oppression. As a black American athlete, his story of resilience was such an inspiration to me and truly amazing, even to this day.
I think the 1980 Moscow Olympics inspired, firstly for GB’s decision to not boycott the Games. I was only 10 so didn’t understand the political aspects of why. But the fact the Neil won a Silver was a factor in why I have loved Judo since then.
For me the 80s because that's when I first remember watching the amazing squads and players back then. But also having now watched footage from the 70s and seeing some of our first inspirational players of their time set up the future of British Judo for the likes of Neil Adams and the 80s/90's teams !
Ian Johns (British Judo Paralympic Head Coach)
Seoul ‘88- i remember seeing Sharon Rendle and Dianne Bell win the “demonstration event”… the vision of shaz jumping into the crowd into her coaches arms (Terry altoft- my coach also) was fantastic!! I also remember seeing Dennis Stewart’s bronze medal.
A teacher came to my school in 1964. John Ryan was my English teacher. After school he started a Judo class. He had just represented Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics. Within months we were Newham Judo and were to become a formidable squad and national champions. So proud, JR a formidable force and so understated.
1984 Los Angeles Olympics. I had been teaching Judo at a private school and saved enough money to get tickets and go to all the judo days. Dr Phyllis Elliot went on the same flight. The atmosphere was electric but sadly, watching Neil Adams win his silver medal and Neil Eckersley his bronze medal (Neil Eckersley had been training at Kendal Judo Club under Tony Macconnell's guidance), I realised I was probably never going to be good enough to get a Union Jack badge on my Gi. (confirmed a later on). So I turned to refereeing and organising competitions which led me, having organised the 2002 Commonwealth Games judo tournament, to apply for a job, any job, for the 2012 London Olympics. I was one of a large number of applicants but I was very lucky and got the job of Sports Information Group Leader and became a member of Lisa Allan's "J Team" setting up the venue and working during the Games - seeing Gemma Gibbons throwing the French player Tcheumeo in the semi-final to go though to the final and the silver medal also Karina Bryant winning her bronze medal. I still have the photos.
I was inspired watching the 1976 Olympics when Nadia Comaneci got the first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history at 14 years old.
When I was 11 and starting to think of giving up I went to a course run by Brian Jacks and Dave Starbrook, that inspired me to continue. My secondary school Judo teacher John Ryan the 1964 Olympian and National team coach. Matsutaro Otani. Then Kashiwazaki did Yoko Tomeo Nage and his Newaza.
Daniela Krukower (Olympian)
Barcelona 92 - watching my friend (Yael Arad) on winning the first ever Olympic medal for Israel inspired me.
Moscow olympics and Adams against Gamba. It’s why I wanted to do judo.
If you’ve been inspired by an Olympic Games, please add a comment to the initial Facebook page or here below in the comment box - and say which Olympic Games it was and how it inspired you in judo.