One year countdown to Paralympics: Clare Strange interview
29 August 2011
Lane4 Associate Consultant Clare Strange tells us what she's looking forward to on the anniversary of one year until the start of the Paralmpics. As well as her role at Lane4, Clare is a member of the GB Women's Wheelchair Basketball team.
Today is one year until the London 2012 Paralympics Games begin, what does this mean for your role as a leader in the GB women's wheelchair basketball team?
I'm not sure it's entirely sunk in, and feels a bit surreal. Although all the celebrations are amazing, and just shows what a great host city London is going to be, I think it the 'one year to go' mark means more to the public that it does to the squad. We will be treating it just like any other day and training as normal: doing what needs to be done. We need to remain focussed on our preparation timeline.
What are the hopes and dreams of the team coming into London 2012 Paralympics?
Coming off the back of a successful 2011 Paralympic World Cup where we won gold, we are fighting for a place on the podium. We're looking for a medal and our best performance ever.
You've played at three previous Paralympic games - Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008 - what does a home games mean to you?
After our previous home soil success – we're confident and positive. We're very excited for the London games – we're hoping for a home advantage and the momentum of the team is moving us in the right direction to give us that extra edge.
What do you think the Games will bring to London and the UK?
I've seen first-hand what the UK winning the bid to hold the Olympics and Paralympics has done for sports development in this country. Apart from the added monetary investment, there is added structure and real development opportunities for all levels of sport.
There will be a positive psychological benefit to the nation for holding the Games. After seeing the excitement and patriotism for the Royal Wedding, which was just a one day event, I am sure that 6 weeks of sport will capture the country. People will be swept up in the euphoria and want the celebrations to continue.
As a Lane4 Associate Consultant, what do you think businesses can take and learn from the Paralympics?
A key lesson is about your mindset. At Lane4 we talk about 'fixed' and 'growth' mindsets.
For example, I think to some extent people have a 'fixed' mindset about Paralympic sport – perhaps slightly patronising and a 'poor them' feeling. I can tell you, no one out on the court is feeling sorry for themselves – they are competitive and dedicated athletes, disability is irrelevant. As soon as someone watches any Paralympic sport for the first time their mindset shifts and you hear comments of 'I didn't know it would be so fast/powerful/passionate'.
I think businesses can learn from this – don't be fixed in the 'way things are done around here', challenge yourself to change how you see a situation and shift your mindset.
2011-08-24