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That's just fabulous. It really says it all. Required reading for all involved in sport at any level and in any way

In all of life and not just sport, enjoy the journey and the challenge as the destination may not be the most rewarding part of it all.

Brilliant Article. You hit the nail right on the head, it is the bravery to do something to the best of your ability and maybe come up short.

If sport was to predictable people would not want to watch it so much.

Best of Luck for your future

Great views about a tough sport! Well done Annabel!

I can see how this took a long time to write. Watching the Olympics and Paralympics as a spectator is captivating and also full of highs and lows (although most have been highs during 2012 for the spectators!!). it's been like 100 world cup 66 victories all in one summer. What we need to remember though is just what you have said .. for every medallist there are many who go home without one. Like you though they are still very much a part of what has been (and will be in Rio) a fantastic showcase for human achievement, participation and the sporting spirit. Thanks for your contribution to that!!

Interesting article and I admire and appreciate Annabel's honesty.

But I'd love some insight as to why there was such a contrast in the fortunes of the British women's crews.

How come the pairs and doubles performed so well and the eight and the quad under-performed so badly??

Brilliant article. You can't control the quality of your opponents either. Think Murray versus the Big 3. I am convinced he would have won a major by now in any other era. There are bound to be relatively 'strong' and 'weak' Olympic years for any particular event. An 8th place one year might have been enough for a medal in another. I think only the individual or team themselves know if they have fulfilled their potential. Who can possibly ask for more than that in sport, or indeed in life...

Well put.

Don't live with regrets - always be proud of your best effort...

Very rarely in sport do you actually enjoy the event unless you are a neutral with nothing invested in the result. It is only some period later when the stress and emotional suffering has begun to ease that you can begin to appreciate what has taken place. Sometimes it may be a short period but often it can take years to look back on a "bad performance" and smile.

Finishing fifth at the Olympics may not seem an achievement to you but in years to come when you are showing the pictures to your children and grand children just look at their faces. That mixture of awe and pride will show that everything you went through "just" to finish fifth might just have been worth it.

Brilliant! Annabel, you have just explained to me why all my life I have cycled, swum, run, climbed hills without any medal being involved!! Thanks!

Dear Ms Vernon

I have enjoyed reading your entries to date, and none more so than this one. Drawing a parallel about the highs and lows of sport, I play cricket for a club in Chiswick and last Saturday my team not only won the game but won promotion to the next division. The following day, however, I played for our Sunday team and we were hammered by the opposition. But as you say it’s not all about the result; it’s as much, if not more so, about putting in maximum effort and doing the best you can: it’s only that you can control; you can do nothing about what the opposition does.

Keep up the good work and good luck for the future.

Just watching and cheering, the toughest part was listening to exceptional athletes who’d produced phenomenal performances, but pipped on the line, apologising for letting other people down. You just wanted to give them a hug and tell them that all those who’d supported them on their journey couldn’t possibly be more proud of them; but still a reminder that it takes a team to put an individual onto the start line.
The context also plays a part in the reaction; contrast Alan Campbell’s elation to bronze to Purchase/Hunter’s despondency to silver. Even amongst the winners, you’ve seen some displaying relief whilst Kat Copeland’s disbelieving joy will remain with everyone.
Annabel, you are an inspiration. Whatever you choose next, there will be a veritable army cheering you on.

Annabel, I loved your article and truly understand how you feel about your 2012 experience. Your conclusion that it comes down to 'sport' is bang on.
I'm an old rower, having participated in the Games many decades ago and now have children who are at your level, in fact one was just on the podium recently. I would have welcomed 'just' coming in 5th, as our placing was a higher number. What I found when people hear that I had participated in the Olympics was the majority ask if I won. When I answer 'no' most quickly move on to another topic. However, if I happen to meet another Olympian, no matter what sport or age, that question is never asked. It's because of the mutual understanding and knowledge of what it took to get to that level. It's being part of the 'Olympic Club', if you will, that's important.
So, Annabel, the fact you did podium at one of the Games and were still able to compete in these ones truly means you are one of the exceptional athletes and 'members' in the 'Olympic Club'. The fact that you will always have moments in the future where your actual placing will bother you is good as it reflects on a competitive nature, keeps you humble and helps to keep so many others things in perspective.
From an old Olympian, I congratulate you on your article, but, more importantly on the journey you've had and wish you well on the one coming up in your future.
Pull hard, no matter what you chose to do in life.