I have very mixed feelings about this thread. I’m sure it varies across different sports but to be quite honest, by the time I retired I was pretty sceptical about what value an Olympic final actually had... https://twitter.com/cwilliams400/status/1277251626131247106

The fact is, the Olympics is one day. Yes, there is something special about those who can perform on that one, special day in a four year cycle. But in a purely skill based sport? My opinion? Chance is a huge factor...

That’s why, when I consider those athletes who are the best in the world at my sport, it’s the ones who won consistently. I idolised a woman who had no Olympic medals but been to five Olympics and won more major medals than I can count, in a career spanning 20+ years.

To be quite honest, that tweet makes me slightly uncomfortable. I touched on this in my IG post on Olympic day but long story short I think we put way too much emphasis on success. It’s not healthy.

Most Olympians go home empty handed. That doesn’t mean they’re worthless. They might actually have more valuable lessons and stories to share than a multiple medalist.

Winning an Olympic medal, or even making an Olympic final, doesn’t make you a better person. Athletes have a lot more to offer society than just medals. Maybe it’s time we started valuing that a bit more...