Beyond Winning: What is success? 

Success is often a combination of external accomplishments and internal satisfaction, and what it looks like can change depending on an individual athletes’ aspirations.  

What does success mean to you? The truth is your goals, aspirations, and definition of success are uniquely yours. They may not perfectly align with those of your running buddy or even an elite athlete and that’s what makes your journey meaningful. 

WHAT DOES INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?  

Individual success highlights personal effort, talent, and dedication. Athletes such as cyclists or marathon runners achieve personal glory, directly tied to their skills and decisions. These athletes face immense pressure as all successes and failures fall squarely on their shoulders. 

INEOS Grenadier riders Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot winning gold in the XC Mountain Bike event in Paris 2024, Megertu Alemu (Elite Running Team) taking 1^st place at Valencia Marathon and British Sailing’s Ellie Aldridge’s historic gold in the women’s Formula Kite event; these standout performances are just a few highlights of the remarkable achievements our athletes have delivered this year.  

Although most goals this year were to perform well at Paris (or at a major event), individual success for elite athletes may go beyond medals and records, encompassing personal goals, mental well-being, career longevity, and broader impacts. 

HOW DOES TEAM SUCCESS DIFFER FROM INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS? 

British Rowing has had an astonishing 2024 performance, highlighted by their achievements at the Paris Olympics. Team GB secured a total of eight rowing medals, marking one of their best overseas Games. Key successes included: Men’s Eight (M8+) Gold, Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x) Gold, and Women’s Eight (W8+) Bronze. 

The achievement of a shared success and goal will differ from individual successes. In team sports, success is collectively owned, fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging. Each player contributes to the collective outcome, distributing both pressure and celebration. Therefore, team sports may sometimes favour collective rewards over individual recognition. 

CAN SUCCESS BE PERSONAL? 

Eilish McColgan marked a significant milestone this year by competing in her fourth Olympic Games. Despite facing substantial challenges, including injuries that previously cast doubt on her ability to compete again, she persevered. Finishing 15^th in the competitive women’s 10,000m with a seasoned best time of 31:20:58. This performance was a testament to her dedication after a difficult year, which included missing much of the 2023 season and withdrawing from other major competition due to injury. 

This is an example where success doesn’t just have to be about achieving podiums. McColgan’s journey has and will continue to inspire many as she expresses her intent to pursue a 5^th Olympic appearance at LA 2028, focusing on the marathon event. 

SUMMARY 

Success is multifaceted, transcending medals and records to encompass personal growth, resilience, and the impact athletes leave on their communities. For some, it’s the thrill of breaking personal barriers; for others, it’s the fulfilment of contributing to a collective triumph. 

From the awe-inspiring gold of Tom Pidcock to the remarkable comeback of Eilish McColgan, this year’s successes showcase the diverse nature of achievement. Team efforts, from the likes of British Rowing, illustrate the power of unity and shared purpose. Meanwhile, individual pursuits highlight the courage and dedication required to persevere, even in the face of immense challenges. 

For Science in Sport, 2024 has been a year of leaving an impression on thousands of athletes across the world, impacting performance from the hundreds of Olympians to the millions of everyday athletes. Bring on 2025.