Finding THE ONE in sport is a needle-in-a-haystack situation. “It’s often not the athlete that ranks one, two, three or four in your lab tests that end up being THE ONE”, according to Dr Deborah Latouf — a sports scientist, coach, administrator, representative Masters athlete and sports mum — who headed up the national talent identification program at the Australian Institute of Sport in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. In this episode, Deborah talks about the talent unearthed by the program, including some GREAT stories about two athletes in particular, who’ve gone on to become household names. While Deborah is a big believer in data, her lived experience says there’s something you can’t measure that also sets athletes apart — the “mongrel” or X-factor. For sports parents, Deborah reveals how the message of patience is the name of the game.
What a fascinating career Dr Latouf has had so far…………….. She presents great advice for all parents. I agree, negotiating the pathways to help your child reach there goals/potential does seem to be extremely difficult.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, what a fascinating career and what great advice. It’s definitely been thought-provoking for us. Tiffany