Asked to name the best moment of his career, Adam Gemili did not choose European gold over 200m, but his contribution to the relay win at the 2017 World Championships in London. It’s not surprising. Team sports bring out the best in him.
“If there was ever a night I could relive, it would be that night,” he says. sky sports. “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of that history. I have the video on my parents’ phones. It was amazing. It was the last race. It was Usain Bolt’s last race.”
Gemili explains: “We had the odds against us. We weren’t necessarily the fastest four athletes, but together we were the fastest four athletes in the field. There was also a Jamaican athlete. The Americans won gold and silver in the 100 metres.
CJ Ujah, Gemili, Adam Talbot and Netheraneel Mitchell-Blake won gold medals.
“Athletics is a very individual sport, but in relays the team element can really come together. That’s what we did. We came together to do something special. We held our own. That team environment, that’s what I’m good at and what I grew up with.”
Before Gemili became one of the country’s best sprinters, his first love was soccer. He was at Chelsea’s academy from 2001 to 2008 and was still dreaming of a career when he was selected for the 2012 Olympic team. He was 18 years old.
“I always planned to return to football, but when that happened I thought, ‘No, this is where I am now.’” Despite all he has achieved in athletics, he talks about football with regret about academy prospects who have yet to make it.
“I grew up playing soccer and that was all I knew,” he says. “It never came to fruition. My dream was to play in England or at least listen to Champions League music. When we were ball boys at Chelsea it used to give me goosebumps.”
Gemili believes that the sprinting mechanism can help football players develop.
He still credits his time at Chelsea with giving him the training he needed. “They taught me how to be professional, how to do the right thing and how to deal with pressure. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t grown up at a club like that.”
It’s back to Chelsea, where he is today, and his career is back in full swing. Gemili, who announced his retirement from athletics at the age of 32, is excited about starting his own ‘Speed Academy’ and is already working with 13- and 14-year-olds from his previous club.
“I worked with the academy boys in September or October, teaching them speed and how to accelerate properly. You’re teaching them how it should feel. For footballers it’s a little different because you have to be more specific,” says Gemili.
“You don’t want them to be sprinters, but you’re teaching them the basics of how to apply force to the ground, how to move, how to react, the coordination of when to land on the ground immediately and then push to accelerate properly.”
Gemili is uniquely positioned to help these players. “I am one of the few people fortunate enough to have played two sports at a very high level and understand the crossover. I can share some of that knowledge to give them the best opportunity to succeed,” he explains.
And if you think someone is fast or not, think again. “Speed, power and acceleration are definitely things you can train on. The improvement you see in the numbers and power production of these guys is truly amazing.”
He added: “There are a lot of numbers to prove it. The results we tested after two or three months were unbelievable. There was a huge improvement. It wasn’t just that it was faster. People who weren’t as fast actually saw much more improvement.”
As football gets faster and faster, this is more important now than ever before. “They may not be Olympic fast, but they are aiming for as fast as they can. They all want to learn. I think they realize that even a few percent more can be an advantage.”
Congratulations to Gemili on winning a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships in London
In this world of marginal gains, speed would seem to be one of the most obvious. And Gemili is helping not only the younger players but also the senior ones. Last summer, he ran a preseason camp to keep players healthy. “We took quite a bit,” he revealed.
As well as Manchester City youngster Ryan McEidoo, there was also 26-year-old Ireland international Aaron Connolly. “It is very easy to help even senior players. It just depends on their openness,” says Gemili. Speed is just one aspect.
“Injuries can be caused by poor mechanics or poor recovery,” he explains. “Of course I am biased, but in my opinion there is no better condition than running. Footballers know their careers are short and they want to improve and get everything they can from it.”
For Gemili, his elite career is now over. But he is still a young man. “I feel ready for new challenges and new adventures. I’m closing that chapter now. The next journey awaits.” His goal through his ‘Speed Academy’ is to include football.
“Chelsea is one of the best academies and is always at the forefront of innovation. It is a real privilege and honor to be able to help shape their future. I look forward to continuing to do so.” Even after her gold medal glory, Gemili is happiest when she is part of a team.
