E-Paper
Winning not everything, says Backley
'It's not the winning, it's taking part,' was the motto of the founder of Olympic Games.
'It's not the winning it's the taking part,' was the motto of Baron Pierre de Coubertin when he founded the modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Now, over a century later, it has received an unexpected endorsement from veteran British javelin thrower Steve Backley.
Next month Backley will be in Athens for his fourth and final Olympics.
He heads to Greece amid warnings that Britain will fail to match the six track and field medals it won four years ago at the Sydney Games.
Only two of those were gold and triple jumper Jonathan Edwards has since retired while heptathlon champion Denise Lewis is struggling with a foot injury and may be unable to defend her title.
Despite the fact that millions of pounds of public money have been poured into British sport in recent years, Backley, an Olympic silver medallist at the 1996 and 2000 Games and a bronze medallist in 1992, insisted medals were not the only measure of success.
"Based on two or three indviduals, the team isn't as strong as before. But down the sheet there are some quality athletes who have set high standards," Backley, 35, told reporters here Tuesday when the British track and field team for Athens was announced.
"In 2000 Jonathan Edwards and Denise Lewis won golds so everyone thought we'd done well, but them winning didn't mean the whole team had done well.
"This year we've two very good medal chances and it is up to the media to help create a positive environment for the athletes instead of writing off their chances.
"There is such a fine line between winning and losing in sport. In this country there is always pressure on people to win but it's not just about that.
"We have people near the top of their game but just because they haven't won a medal doesn't mean they aren't any good. It's not always appreciated how tiny the margins of victory are."
Backley, who has seen his eternal rival Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic win gold ahead of him each time, said he could not wait for his final taste of Olympic action.
"I enjoy the Olympic stage. I was scared at the first three and I hope it will be the same again in Athens because that energy gets you fired up," he said.
"I'm looking forward to next month and the chance to test myself against the best once again. Hopefully there will be a happy ending."
