The 2024 Paris Olympic Games started this past weekend, and the events are well and truly underway. Each day we can watch a variety of sports and see elite athletes from around the world competing against each other, all striving to win a gold medal.  

I have recently started reading a book called “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. On the cover are the inspirational words, “tiny changes, remarkable results”. The first chapter tells the story of the British Cycling and the changes that were made to the management of the team in 2003.  

Since 1908, British cyclists had only won a single gold medal at the Olympic Games and fared even worse in the Tour de France. In 2003, a new director, Dave Brailsford, was hired, hoping to put the team on a new trajectory in terms of success on the world stage. He implemented a strategy that he referred to as “the aggregation of marginal gains”.  

Brailsford stated that “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improve it by 1 per cent, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.”  

Under Brailsford’s guidance, the coaches analysed all aspects of racing, from the design of the seats, fabrics for clothing and even pillows to help cyclists get the best night’s sleep. The team made many small changes in as many areas as possible. Just 5 years later, the British Cycling team dominated the road and track cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Between 2007 and 2017, British cycling teams won 178 world championships, 66 Olympic and Paralympic gold medals and 5 Tour de France victories.  

The official motto of the Olympic Games is “Citius, altius, fortius,” which is Latin for “Faster, higher, stronger”. As we watch the Olympic Games it is inspirational to watch athletes striving to be the very best that they can be. It is a great motto for us as well – to be faster, aim higher and be stronger – perhaps not in the athletic realm, but in our own lives as we aim to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.  

Whilst it is admirable to have goals and to change habits and transform ourselves, we don’t have to achieve everything straight away – it is impossible to change overnight. Making small changes and creating new habits, can over time, make a big difference. It may be that we want to exercise more, eat healthier, arrive at work a few minutes earlier or leave work on time. Perhaps the goal could be to cultivate a new friendship, to reach out to someone who we have lost contact with or even heal a broken relationship.   

The great news is that as we strive to be the best people we can be, we are not alone. We have the power of God with us, and we can rely on Him to give us the strength to do all things – no matter how hard they may seem.  (Philippians 4:13) 

Have a great week.