ATHLETICS hero Roger Black recalled the build up to his 1996 Olympic glory at an Institute of Directors event earlier today.

Mr Black, who won silver medals for the 400 metres event and the 4x400 metres men's relay in Atlanta, told the business people in attendance about the different attributes and ideals needed to succeed such as passion, having one goal, team work and never giving up.

He outlined how he first got into athletics. Originally he enjoyed team sports such as football, rugby and cricket and had plans to become a doctor.

However, a friend told him he was a fast runner and he became involved in the world of athletics. He eventually had to make the choice of becoming a doctor or a full time athlete and he chose the latter.

Despite a promising start to his career it came to a standstill when he broke his foot and he was out of the sport for nearly three years.

But he had a dream to stand on the Olympic rostrum. 1996 looked likely to be his last chance of achieving this as an individual (he had won bronze in the men's 4x400 relay at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992).

Ten months prior to the competition, he was advised to focus on one goal only and that was to run his perfect race. 

He did just that and while he may have finished second that runner's up spot felt like a gold medal to him as he successfully completed what he wanted to achieve.

Roger also showed a TV clip from the World Championships in Tokyo in 1991 when the British team won the men's 4x400 metres.

It was teamwork which made the team so successful and Roger and the other three athletes involved - John Regis, Derek Redmond and Kriss Akabusi - remain bonded by the event.

There was no doubt some of the themes Roger raised in relation to being a successful sportman could in turn apply to being successful in business.

The lunch, at the Sefton Hotel, Douglas, was in association with Scottish Widows, the official pensions and investment provider of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Roger is a Scottish Widows Ambassador for the games.

Photos by John Gregory