With the start of the Vancouver Olympics fast approaching next week, as I prepare to fly out to cover the Games I can’t help but reflect on how far we have come and what lies ahead for performance sport in Britain.

Athletes competing at major events is nothing new, but what still inspires me is the work they put in 365 days a year - or there about - in order that they get the opportunity to represent, and perform, for their country.

Whilst luck will always play some part in the trials and tribulations of sport, it is the sheer commitment to excellence and the search for the winning formula in sport science and medicine which must keep sport progressing.

A far cry from my time as an athlete, sports now have access to not only their own experts but also those of the  likes of the English Institute of Sport (EIS). At the Institute expert practitioners are working with athletes every day to make each day matter and contribute to success - whether it’s minimising the risk of injury, analysing their diet or building specific areas of strength.

All those with an interest in significant events in history will have the dates of London 2012 inked in their diary, Outlook calendar or wall planner but those working with athletes will have many more milestones to hit in advance of that.  

Day in, day out, practitioners including the likes of physios, doctors and psychologists, part of the breadth of expertise at the EIS, work seamlessly with sports as part of the team. Each cycle, each competition, each training session develops experience and the application of science and medicine help sports work towards that winning formula for success - getting the basics right whilst also stretching the imagination to find that extra one per cent to make the difference on the world stage.



Beijing was undoubtedly a fantastic step forward for British sport, showing we have the potential across a broad range of sports for world class success. The EIS had provided some level of support to 100 per cent of medal winning sports indicating the progress of performance programmes in their ability to maximise the impact they can have within a cycle. Vancouver too will be a key Winter Games to measure the progress across winter sports.

With London 2012 fast approaching however, we must be ready to ride the challenge and advantage of a home Games and step up to the opportunity the Games bring in sustaining a viable high performance system as its legacy.

The Australians have exposed some of their challenges post-Sydney and whilst investment is never certain, retaining the expertise to foster and support talent is key to ensuring 365 days a year support to athletes.

The EIS has continually developed to shape its services to best support what sports need and the past year has been one full of change in order that it is ready to best support sports over the coming two years and beyond. 

As some of our finest experts travel to support athletes as they prepare at holding camps and compete at the Games this month, the majority will have done their work in preparing athletes, throughout the cycle and will be watching back home as they continue their support to other athletes.

I hope they too take time to reflect on the cycle of support leading into Vancouver and their work behind the scenes, however big or small, in contributing to a promising British line-up in Canada. I know I will be watching with excitement and proud of all the hours put in behind the scenes.

Steve Cram, the former world record holder for the 1500 metres and the mile, is the chairman of the English Institute of Sport