The Sporting Comeback

by James Skitt - 20.01.12

Manchester United’s Paul Scholes may have grabbed the headlines recently by coming out of retirement, but he is in good company when it comes to sporting comebacks.

Whilst some have seen success and others haven’t, it seems even the very best can’t resist giving it just one more go at the highest level, just ask Thierry Henry.

Never is this more true than with Olympians. Already Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe has announced his intention to return to the pool in London this year, whilst a number of Brits (see below) are now aiming for Olympic glory having had a change of heart.

But what drives athletes to do it and what are the factors which dictate a successful return?

eis2win.co.uk got the opinion of two English Institute of Sport (EIS) sport science and medicine experts.

The Psychologist’s view – Pete Lindsay, EIS Performance Psychologist

"When athletes make a comeback after a time away from their sport, they can often bring with them a greater sense of perspective. The additional life experience gained during their time away from the sport typically provides them with this sense of perspective which can allow them to enjoy their sport to a greater extent as it isn't necessarily as all encompassing. 

The flip side to this is managing their expectations and frustrations if they are unable to achieve previous levels of performance. Likewise, as athletes grow older, they typically have other demands upon their time and energy that younger athletes may not - e.g. family and media commitments, sponsorship duties, etc. 

Overall, we tend to find that athletes making a comeback are sometimes able to enjoy the competition environment more than they did before, but its dealing with the daily training demands which is the real test."

The Physiologist’s view – Steve Ingham, EIS Head of Physiology

“For an athlete to be able to return to their previous physiological levels will depend on the age of the athlete, the length of time they’ve been out of training and the demands of the sport.

If an athlete retires young and then comes back within a couple of years, they will find it relatively easy to recapture fitness. It is typical for fitness loss to take twice as long to regain. Our bodies naturally start to decline in our 30’s and whilst the stimulus of regular training can slow the decline down, older athletes will require a little longer to rebuild their systems. That’s not to say athletes over 30 can’t make a successful return, but there will certainly be no shortcuts, requiring patience hard work and more individualised and focused training and recovery."  

The comebacks on...

Five Brits who’ve made a U turn in search of 2012 success....

Greg Searle – Rowing

A gold medallist alongside his brother in the coxed pairs in Barcelona 20 years ago, Searle also competed at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics before retiring from top level rowing. But the lure of a home games has tempted him back as he aims to add another gold in London, this time in the men’s eight. Silver medals at the 2010 and 2011 World Championships suggest he’s in with a good chance too.

 

 Jason Queally – Cycling

Inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame in 2009, Queally won an Olympic gold and silver medal in Sydney 12 years ago and also competed in Athens before retiring from competitive cycling in 2007. Now though he is back and hoping to add more Olympic honours in the team pursuit at the age of 42.

 

Sophie Cox – Judo

After competing at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens Cox called time on her Judo career at the age of just 23 to become an English teacher in Thailand. But it only proved a temporary move and now she is targeting success at London 2012 off the back of bronze medals at the 2010 World Cup and 2011 British World Cup.

 

 Kelly Sotherton – Heptathlon

The 2004 Olympic bronze medallist retired from the heptathlon in 2010 due to injury,  revising her ambitions to running the 400m. However in November 2011 she announced a  change of heart and now hopes to compete in the event alongside compatriot Jessica Ennis  in London later this year.

 

Imogen Cairns – Gymnastics

Perhaps the odd one out here, Cairns never actually retired from her sport or event, but has admitted that she was considering retirement before her excellent showing at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, where she won two gold’s and a silver medal, persuaded her to push on for further honours in 2012.

 

 

Photography © Getty Images