Swimmer Adam Peaty clinched Great Britain's first gold medal of Rio 2016 by smashing the 100m breastroke world record, and followed it up with a silver medal in the 4x100m medley. In that moment, the women behind his success, coach Mel Marshall, earned herself some special duties!
Below, she recalls how she came to be the keynote speaker at the 2016 World Class Performance Conference, presented by Sportscover:
“Having attending the World Class Performance Conference for the last couple of years I am incredibly honoured to be allowed to share my coaching journey, and how the first gold medal at the Olympic Games turned from a dream into a reality.
“I have heard such a wide range of speakers at the event prior and I can honestly say I have been inspired, moved, entertained and thought provoked by all. My goal is to try and offer the room a story they can relate to their own worlds and give to the audience what so many speakers have given to me.
“I have graduated from the ECAP process and have just embarked on the Elite Programme. I have been submerged amidst the mad world of coaching for eight years post retirement from being an Olympic athlete myself.
“Ever the opportunist, I earned the speaking gig by striking a deal with UK Sport Chief Executive Liz Nicholl in 2013. Our handshake agreement! I asked ‘if I could produce an Olympic Gold medalist in Rio could I do the opening night key note at the World Class Performance Conference?’
“Handshake challenge accepted by the boss and three years later here I am.
'Somethings in life you just gotta go out and get!'