“I almost question, is it really worth it? If I’ve damaged myself for the rest of my life?” It sounds like a lament from a punch-drunk fighter with holes in their memory and bank balance. Or an old rugby prop, slurry and soaked with regrets. But these words were uttered last week by a British Tokyo 2020 medallist, Holly Bradshaw, as she asked whether the relentless pursuit of sporting glory had harmed her body and mind.
It was a brave area to explore, given that most Britons reflexively believe the drive for Olympic success is overwhelmingly a force for good – and that those who receive lottery money to chase their dreams should count themselves lucky. But Bradshaw’s unflinchingly raw yet vital testimony exposed the pitfalls lurking amid the garlands.
