Steve was the GB Swimming Team captain for the Athens Olympics. His ‘endearing Scouse wit’ has been recorded as one of his best features by other team members, along with his affable character, professionalism and great leadership qualities.
As well as his Olympic medal, Stephen has also won World and European Championship medals and three Commonwealth medals during his distinguished career. He is one of the most successful British swimmers ever.
Since returning home from Athens, Stephen decided to retire from competitive swimming. He said: “I’ve trained long and hard to realise my dream of winning an Olympic medal and now I have achieved my ultimate goal I feel it is right and proper to retire from the sport I love at the very top.”
Former National Performance Director (for swimming) Bill Sweetenham believed that Stephen would be a hard act to follow as captain of the GB Swimming Team.
“Steve is the epitome of persistence. To be able to stay in the sport as long as he has and win an Olympic medal in your final year says a lot about the resilience and drive of the athlete.”
Steve now has a business in swimming which supports and shares his knowledge with young swimmers and help provide guidance and support for the Olympic stars of the future whilst also providing innovative learn to swim solutions for thousands of children around the country.
The Total Swimming business model is now being replicated in Dance and Gymnastics with Danny Price (World Champion) and Beth Tweddle (World Champion).
He has served on the Sport England board, North West Development agency steering group, is also an Olympic correspondent for the BBC and does motivation speaking with a number of organisations.
Despite his busy schedule Steve met with WorkLife to tell us more.
What did you want to be as a child? “Like every child at a young age I wanted to be a fireman!! Didn’t all kids want to be firemen in the 80’s? Then it was all about becoming a doctor but I think I was a bit put off by all the study. However, as a teenager I knew my future lay in Sport.”
Who or what inspired you to become a champion swimmer?
“It sounds completely cheesy but my mum and dad were my inspiration. My parents gave me so many opportunities in life through swimming, football, tennis and even got me into a choir which wasn’t so cool. I’m a big believer that if we give young people opportunities they will find their passion for something and become self motivated.
“Of course I also admired lots of people like Edwin Moses, (who wasn’t beaten in the 400 hurdles for years), Ian Rush and Adrian Moorhouse but it’s definitely the folks who were the biggest inspiration!”
Why do you think Great Britain won so many medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing two years ago? “That’s a relatively easy one I think. Back in 1997 the government allowed national lottery money to be used for sport and as a result UK Sport were allowed to fund National Governing Bodies of sports and in turn the athletes. This allowed the athletes to concentrate on being world class and also gave them world class services in support. We have seen a steady improvement in results since then.
“Without a doubt the phenomenal results from cycling, rowing and sailing allowed us to finish fourth on the medal table which makes the per capita the greatest Olympic sporting nation on the planet. I think the home games will allow us to repeat and maybe improve on this performance.”
Do you miss the competition and full-time training as an athlete? “The training I don’t miss a jot. For me it now seams ridiculous that swimmers get up at 5.15am to go down to the pool!
“However, the competition is a different story. Now I work for Radio Five Live and cover all the major games. Watching everyone compete with 20,000 people watching makes me think of the competing days. There’s nothing quite like the pressure of having two minutes to show the world how good you can be!”
What challenges did you face moving from athlete to entrepreneur? “I think it’s a relatively smooth transition. Sport is about working hard, being focused, taking responsibility and building a team that can help you deliver on your goal. I’ve used the same techniques in business as I used in Sport and its been a very similar journey. You only get out what you put in…right?!”
© Simon Wilkinson.
WORK - 23
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