Whatever happened to heroes? Here’s two

By Mark McGhee

Published:

WE are all looking for sporting heroes. They may be thin on the ground these days, but in Sir Chris Hoy and Aberdeen’s own Katherine Grainger we have two of the very best.

I don’t think their success is a surprise. And I don’t think it is a mystery.

It is the result of natural talent, of course it is, but it is also due to a determination and dedication to succeed – no matter what obstacles are put in the way.

It is cold, wet, dark and snowing. Stay in bed or get out there and do the hard yards on the bike or the rowing machine?

I often try to get young players to take on a much more individual approach to their mental and physical preparation for football – and we can use the examples set by the likes of cyclist Hoy and rower Grainger. We are not exactly tripping over world-class athletes in this country, but here are two of them who are prepared to do whatever it takes to be successful.

To achieve greatness means that sacrifice is required and both Chris and Kathy know that every time they cut a corner, or cheat on their diet, it will come back to haunt them.

My football players at Aberdeen are incredibly fit and are extremely careful about what they eat and drink.

I have long said I wished footballers would not drink alcohol. We have seen enough examples of the problems which occur when the wheels come off.

And if you want an example of why athletes must do all they can to be the best they can, then look at Hoy and Grainger. They won’t have that beer, they won’t have that pizza. They know what impact it might have.

At the top, the margins are so small, it can be one-hundredth of a second. The responsibility is down to the individual.