coaching box

Yesterday, I was feeling proud.  

Proud the European Championships are hosted in one of the oldest Olympic and athletic venues of the world. The stadium looks more than nice. An orange ribbon contrasts with the clear blue skies. The experience: athletics as never before. The set up changed.

So did the world around it. Also inside the world of athletics are big changes. Imagine: athletes moving to the world class facilities at the Olympic training center Papendal.
The competition arrangement did not change to much. But the event presentation follows a strict script full of sounds, visual effects and sound. 

Never imagined that this all was possible in the Netherlands: a full stadium watching athletics to see Dutch athletes winning.
A big change. 

I was close to the coaching box. The national team colors from different countries. Also there was Rana Reider wearing orange. An American coach working with elite athletes from all over the globe. Now in Holland. A different mind set. An eye for detail. Focus full on. First coaching Gaisah to bronze in the long jump and then Martina to gold in the 100 meters. Two medals for the Netherlands. Boooooom!!!

Hard work outside the lime lights. Loads of stress out of view. Not on the podium. In the coaching area, beside the track, unobserved by camera’s. 

Celebrating.

Happy Birthday Rana.