Competitive Spirit

The roar of the crowd as you enter the stadium or streak past the winning post surely has a profound influence on your performance. The surge of adrenaline, the will to win, and the shared experience for both athlete and spectator: what’s going on in the brain is the theme for this series of events. We explore the competitive spirit that exists in athletes. In teams or in solo sports, the relationship between athlete and coach fine-tunes natural talent and the drive to succeed. Dis-ability reveals the extraordinary determination of people with disabilities to overcome adversity. Martial arts, seated in a tradition of combat, demand the harmony of body and mind. Sport would be nothing without the sporting minds of the spectator. What turns mild-mannered people into raging bulls, and what impact does crowd behaviour – whether excited or angry – have on the athlete? This series was produced by Elaine Snell (Snell Communications).

When: 10th May 2012, 19:00-20:30

Where: Wellcome Collection, London

More Information: http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/events/competitive-spirit.aspx

Description

What does it take to be the best? What is the price of success? Whether part of a team or taking part in a solo sport, the relationship that an athlete has with their coach or mentor to fine-tune their natural talent and their drive to succeed is crucial. Can the same motivational approach apply to business or personal relationships? Brain imaging technology is beginning to reveal how practice transforms from a learned skill to an automatic and rapid response. An athlete (Julz Adeniran), a sports psychologist (Sophia Jowett, Loughborough University), a coach and mentor (Steve Black), and a neuroscientist (Narender Ramnani, Royal Holloway, University of London) will discuss what competitive spirit really means with Quentin Cooper (chair). The audience will get a flavour of this when they participate in activities that focus their minds on competition.

Registration Information

This event is FREE.

Book online from Thursday 26 April, 14.00.

Contact Information

Wellcome Collection
183 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE, UK

T +44 (0)20 7611 2222
F +44 (0)20 7611 8258
E info@wellcomecollection.org

Deadline Information

N/a