Thank you

Goodison became European Champion for the third time

Paul Goodison is amongst those who pay tribute to their coaches and support teams
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As UK Sport's World Class Coaching Conference comes to an end for 2008, some of our Beijing Olympic and Paralympic medallists pay tribute to the unsung heroes behind their success...

I want to say thank you to Murray Treseder, coach of the GB men's wheelchair basketball team. He's come in and changed attitudes, both on and off the court. Without his input and the support of Sinclair Thomas and Haj Bhania the GB team would have been a long way away from our bronze medal.
Joe Bestwick, Wheelchair Basketball, Bronze medal

I would like to acknowledge Chris Furber from British Cycling; for having belief in me, for keeping me off the bike and for being in my corner.
Mark Bristow, 1km Time Trial (LC1) & Team Sprint (LC1-4, CP3/4), Double Gold medalist

I would love to thank my coaches for our success in Beijing. We were dealt many blows on our road to bronze, but we overcame every one of them. The biggest low was to lose our Head Coach, Murray Treseder, during the tournament due to illness - Murray had done an amazing job in getting us into the shape that we were for Beijing. That meant rookie coach Sinclair Thomas became Head Coach with Haj Bhania assisting. These two did a great job and steered us to bronze. Over the past year and a half, Sinny and Murray have not only transformed the team, but have transformed individuals to world class players and made us a podium team. To have Haj Bhania come in at the deep end like he did and succeed was a phenomenal achievement. They say players win and coaches lose but our bronze medal was down to three individuals who never gave up on us. Congratulations coaches you deserve it.
Terry Bywater, Wheelchair Basketball, Bronze medal

I would like to thank my coach Phil Goldman of Newquay Cormorants. Phil actually came out to Beijing to watch me compete at the Paralympics. He did this by enrolling as a newspaper journalist for the local Newquay Voice. Good thinking! Also my coach in Beijing Tony McGrail and all the staff of British Swimming.
Jonathan Fox, 100m Backstroke (S7), Silver medal

A lot is always said about the hard work, dedication and determination of the athletes - How they are admired because of their training and sacrifices and passion for their sport. But we have not just been a team of 4. We have been a team of 5 and a wider team of many. Over the 11 years I have rowed internationally, I have been supported and guided and helped to World Class level by our exceptional team of physios, doctors, physiologists, nutritionists, psychologists and, of course, coaches. I would like to say a particular thank you to Paul Thompson who has coached the quad over the last Olympiad. Coaches are the unsung heroes of our sport. They put in the time that we do and much more behind the scenes. When we switch off, they are thinking of selection strategies, training programmes and how on earth to handle these demanding / irrational / tired athletes! Having to work with us lot shows determination and perseverance second to none and we massively appreciate and respect all the hard work that has gone into enabling us to win medals. We are a team of 5 who have been supported by a wider team. I have been proud to work with all of you.
Debbie Flood, Women’s Quad, Silver medal

I'd like to thank my coach, Mark Delaney. I've come a long way in the years that I've worked with Mark and I owe him a great deal. He played a big part in getting me to where I am and has made a huge contribution towards winning my Olympic medal.
David Florence, C1 Canoe Slalom, Silver medal

I’d like to say a massive thank you to my coach Chris Gowers for his commitment to me and our programme over the last four years. Chris has great knowledge and understanding of not just the technical skills but also how best to deal with me in different situations. Could I also thank Pete Cunningham for his efforts with my physiological preparation - his understanding of work loads and time constraints helped immensely - and Nathan Lewis for his perseverance with my nutritional programme (although I didn’t stick to it too well in 2007), he stood by my and helped me heaps this year.
Paul Goodison, Laser, Gold medal

I would just like to give a massive thank you to my coach David McNulty. He was a massive part of my swimming career and if it wasn’t for him Ii wouldn’t have achieved what I did at the Olympics. He has supported me so much over the years and was the best coach I could have asked for. Thank you so much.
Joanne Jackson, 400m Freestyle, Bronze medal

I have been training with John Dunne for nearly 3 years. John is a great guy and has been coaching people with disabilities for 40 years. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what level of disability you have, John will rise to any task and do his best to support and guide you into physical activities for fun and fitness or into an International Athlete!!! John is a special man and deserves an MBE for all his unnoticed, voluntary time and energy he gives to others.
Ian Jones, 200m & 400m (T44), Double Bronze medallist

Shane Sutton and Matt Parker - what a team! You two I mean!! I am sure that whilst we worked damn hard for every gain we made in the Olympics, we wouldn't have achieved or sustained our level without your dedication to the cause. I will cherish the memories of the training camps we endured as much as the gold medal itself!!
Paul Manning, Team Pursuit, Gold medal

I would like to thank Chris Furber for the support he has given me over the last 9 months since taking over my training programme. I feel that I have moved on leaps and bounds with his help.
I would also like to thank Jon Norfolk for the additional feedback and coaching he has given me and in particular his amazing support during the Paralympic Games itself. He is a fantastic coach and mentor and an asset to any squad.
My third ‘thank you’ would go to my strength and conditioning coach Tim Sylvester who has been there throughout the years. He has improved me technically as well as pushing me to new limits in the gym. I would also like to give a big ‘thank you’ to my physio Craig More, my sport psychologist John Marchant and my nutritionist Ruth McKean for their valuable support over the last year.
I have amazing support from the Scottish Institute of Sport as well as my coaches at British Cycling. They have all contributed to my success.
Aileen McGlynn, Individual Pursuit (B&VI 1-3) & 1km Time Trial (B&VI 1-3), Double Gold medalist

All successful international athletes know that the hard work of coaches and support staff is vital to medal success. I am extremely grateful for the professionalism of the British International Rowing Team coaches and English Institute of Sport support staff.
Adaptive Rowing Lead Coach, Chad King, brought the many coaching team members together to produce a team performance topping the medal table at the first Paralympic Regatta. This is undoubtedly due to the collective effort of all staff and rowers. I’m sure everybody worked tirelessly, without praise. I know our results are a true reflection of our whole team performance. I am delighted that Tom Dyson will be the new Lead Coach, no member of the team is as dedicated as Tom. Thanks to all coaches and staff.
James Morgan, Mixed Coxed Four, Bronze medal

On behalf of the players within the GB Boccia squad, I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to the coach and support staff for all their commitment, hard work and dedication they show us and our sport. Without such support, I believe we would not have achieved the success we have had over the past 4 years and most recently, in Beijing, where we won team gold and individual silver medals. Although as players we are the ones that go on court, our success is about a team ethos and belief that we all pull together to achieve all our goals and dreams. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts and here's to future success, as we build up to 2012.
Nigel Murray on behalf of all in GB Boccia, Team Gold medal and Individual Silver medal

Matt Parker was instrumental in my achieving a bronze medal in Beijing this year. Matt give me his expertise and his precious time throughout the year, nothing was ever to much trouble from the small details, to visiting me in hospital at the start of the year when I broke my collar bone and thought that the Games had become a a no-go. A very quiet man at times but with an unselfish attitude to others – thanks Matt.
Chris Newton, Points Race, Bronze medal

Stuart Wilkinson has been working with me since last year and has managed to make my game more dynamic, accurate and has changed me tactically, technically and offered 100% support on and off the court. The "Wilkinson way" helped me defend my Gold medal from Athens, have a successful tournament programme and returned me back to the No.1 spot in the world rankings.
Peter Norfolk, Wheelchair Tennis, Gold and Bronze medal

My coaches’ sacrifice so much and take on so much, just so that my career in the sport can have the smoothest ride possible. I succeeded because of their belief and faith and their unfailing hard work. They taught me to believe in me. I had my off days, I had plenty of off days, but they gave me my space allowed me to regroup and we started again the next day. They were willing to listen and eager to learn. Their enthusiasm kept me going. It was a partnership, a team that grew and grew making us all successful in our own little way.
Christine Ohuruogu, 400m, Gold medal

I would like to say a massive thanks to my coach Sean Kelly for coaching me over the last 5 years - they have not been easy and we now have a very good coach/swimmer bond and we understand each other! To me this is the most important thing. When things got really tough Sean was patient with me and we had a long few months of soul searching and came up with a decision to drop 800's and do I.M and open water instead. Instantly I was more motivated to swim. The right decision was made leading to my Olympic silver medal - so thank you very much SEAN KELLY!!
I would also like to thank Julie Bennett from Stockport Metro for everything she does for the club on poolside and in the office - thanks for being such a great friend too! Final thanks to Jim Webb and Emma Deakin who are my physiotherapists and without them I would be in a heap on the floor - they have been amazing and they are a big part of my success.
Keri-Anne Payne, 10k Open Water Swim, Silver medal

On behalf of myself, fellow bronze medalist Tony Jeffries, gold medalist James DeGale, and the whole British boxing team, I would like to thank two men who put so much time and effort into our Olympic dream. David Pocknall and Nigel Davies spent more time than any other coach with the boys in the 2 years leading up to Beijing, and contributed greatly to our successes. Whilst they will have no qualms about Terry Edwards deservedly getting most of the credit as the man who masterminded everything, I think these two unsung heroes deserve a special thank you from the Team GB boxing team for putting up with us!!
David Price and the Great Britain Boxing team, 1 Gold and 2 Bronze medals

Jürgen Grobler has been the backbone of British Rowing for so many years. His results are his legacy and he will be forever remembered by everyone associated with our great sport all over the world.
Pete Reed, Men’s Four, Gold medal

I would like to say thank you to Chad King. He was our coach for three years and has now gone back home to Australia. With his determination, support and knowledge of rowing we came back from the Paralympics in Beijing with all four boats having got into the A finals, two golds, one bronze and one fifth place. Also, the support team that Chad helped to put together is superb, so thank you also to them.
Naomi Riches, Mixed Coxed Four, Bronze medalist

Just to say massive thanks for all the hard work Jacquie (Lynn) as done with me in the last 18 months. I can not thank you enough.
Zoe Robinson, Boccia, Team Gold medal

Our coach, Hamish Wilcox is a three time 470 world champion and a fantastic sailor. He developed our skills from the very beginning of our 3 Olympic campaigns with his laid back attitude, but ‘in it to win it’ killer gamesmanship. He knew what it was like from the sportsman’s perspective and taught us all of the complexities of the sport. He was able to show us how to do things - not just tell us. Through all this he is a great friend and a pleasure to hang out with. "Super Coach"
Nick Rogers, 470, Silver medal

I'd like to thank my personal coach and good friend, Rob Ellchuk, who helped me overcome injuries to win a silver medal in Beijing. I don't feel that I can summarise Rob's massive contribution to my life, but I will try. In sport there are thinkers and doers and Rob is both. He has not only helped me to fulfill my sport ambitions but he is also a huge inspiration to my academic ambitions as well. He never once doubted my ability to perform in Beijing even with numerous injuries over the previous years and a broken foot three weeks out from going. He teaches people to make the best of a bad situation; a lesson which I feel passionately needs to be instilled in more of our athletes and coaches. Without Rob's huge support I would never have got to Beijing. Thank you, Rob!
Ben Rushgrove, T36 100m, Silver medal

My coach Dom Tidey is a LEGEND, he makes windsurfing (the coolest sport in the world) even more fun!
Bryony Shaw, RS:X (windsurfer), Bronze medal

Our coach, David Howlett has coached 3 golds at the last 3 Olympics and coached 5 Olympic gold medallists in the last 20 years! What more can I add!!

Also the lynch pin of the British sailing team’s success is the physiologist Peter Cunningham whom has stayed loyal to the RYA and become the most important support staff we have. Every medal won since ‘96 in sailing is in some way linked to his dedication and pursuit of excellence.
Andrew Simpson, Star, Gold Medal

Paul Hall not only knows a lot about gymnastics, but he is a great guy both in and out of the gym and always knows how to draw the best out of me. I feel privileged to be able to learn from him.
Louis Smith, Pommel Horse, Bronze medal

I would like to thank my coach Gary Brickley for his help and support throughout the last few years in the build up to my 2 gold medals in Beijing. He has helped me fast track into cycling from swimming and throughout the process has ensured I have had the best possible preparation. Beijing proved to be a very challenging environment for me as a cyclist and his support was invaluable. The morning of my first gold winning performance, I thought I was going crazy with nerves and he kept my head in the right place and reminded me how good I can be! My 2nd gold was won on the road and his calm words and brilliant support via race radio during the event ensured that I got round safely and very quickly and for that I am very proud. Gary is not just a great coach, he understands where I coming from and is a good friend. I can't express enough how important having a great coach is! Thank you Gary, you're a star!
Sarah Storey, Individual Pursuit (LC1-2/CP4) & Time Trial (LC1-2 & CP4), Double Gold medalist

I would like to thank Pete Wyman, the UK Athletics Performance coach for Wheelchair Racing. I’d like to thank him for all his hard work with me over the past two years. He has been there through all the tough times in training and is a key part to my success in Beijing. He has worked with me and my coach to get the best out of me. He did a great job out in Beijing.
Shelly Woods, 1500m & 5000m (T54), Silver and Bronze medals