While watching the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, public speaking coach Rosemary Ravinal felt inspired to look for a link between public speaking and the Games. “One is about delivering powerful speeches while the other is about competing in sports,” she writes in this new column. “Yet, both involve performing under pressure and captivating an audience. There are lessons to glean from the world’s best athletes.”
By Rosemary Ravinal
Without question, the Olympic Games are the pinnacle of athletic achievement with thousands of stories of physical prowess, mental fortitude, grit, and dedication. The athletes’ success is not solely determined by physical ability. Strategy, and mental conditioning are crucial, too. Similarly, effective public speaking demands thorough preparation and a winner’s mindset to communicate messages clearly and effectively.
The blend of preparation, mental fortitude, and skill were on display when U.S. track and field champion Gabby Thomas won three gold medals, most notably in the women’s 200 meter. When asked how she got herself ready, the Harvard graduate with a master’s in public health said she did it by “keeping things light, joking around with other competitors, and not making the moment too heavy.”
While other runners might have a ritual of high-tempo music to boost their energy before taking their place in the starting blocks, Thomas doesn’t listen to her adrenaline laced playlist before a race. She prefers to be in a quiet mental space. “I want to be so Zen, I want to be so relaxed, and I want to preserve my energy,” she explained. “And then the split second when the gun goes off, that’s when I want to feel that pump-up energy.”
Just as athletes practice their pre-competition rituals to deal with performance anxiety, presenters need their own routines to focus, tame the jitters and deliver with ease and confidence. Athletes experience the high stakes of competition, where one mistake can affect their chances of winning. Public speakers face the anxiety of addressing an audience, where every word and gesture is scrutinized. Mental resilience is vital in both fields. Both athletes and speakers commonly use techniques like breathwork, visualization, body scans, laughter, and music to overcome nervousness.
Olympians are symbols of inspiration. Their personal journeys become touchstones for courage, sacrifice, and triumph of the human spirit. From GOAT gymnast Simone Biles’ comeback story to newly minted champions like 4x gold medal swimmer Léon Marchand who rose from obscurity to French legend in the span of days, there are thousands of stories of challenges met and overcome. When woven into your keynote address or motivational talk, these stories can create deep emotional resonance and lead to profound impact and change.
The connection between public speaking and the Olympics offers valuable lessons for both athletes and speakers. While the world’s attention remains focused on the Olympians as they return home and share their experiences with local media, pay attention to their accounts and seek out stories that will enrich your speaking.
- Public Speaking
- Media Readiness
- Presentation Skills
