It takes a village to win an Olympic medal.
At every Olympic Games, Team GB is made up of a vast network of team leaders, coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists and medical officers who work tirelessly to make sure every athlete is at the top of their game.
They might not be in front of the cameras or get any of the glory but their jobs are key to getting our Olympians to the starting line and onto the podium.
This International Women's Day, we asked some of the key women behind Team GB to talk through their own experiences and what it means to be a woman behind the scenes in sport.
Georgina Harland - Chef de Mission (Beijing 2022)
How did you get into your line of work?
It started through being an Olympian myself in modern pentathlon. When I retired in 2008 I was asked by Clive Woodward [Team GB Director of Sport] if I was interested to get involved in a project he was running at the time for the British Olympic Association. I jumped at the chance and then two years later I joined the newly formed BOA Sport Engagement team. I would never have imagined at the time the opportunities that would come my way because of that first meeting with Clive.
What's your favourite experience working at Team GB?
That is a difficult one, as I have been lucky enough to have so many. My first Games working for Team GB in London 2012, was a particularly special one and on the second to last day I managed to find time with a colleague to sit together and watch the sun set over the Olympic Stadium from our balcony. Alongside having the opportunities to watch history being made on the field of play at many other moments, getting to pause and reflect on the most incredible Games was a shared experience I won’t forget.
What did your role at Team GB during Beijing 2022 entail?
I was Chef de Mission for Beijing, which meant I had overall responsibility for the delegation – both athletes and support staff. I led the whole project, from the planning through to Games time delivery. Beijing had its challenges, given the COVID status at the time, but I couldn’t have been prouder of the team I was fortunate enough to work with to deliver those Games.
What you would say to young women who are wanting to get into the sports leadership sector and aren't sure if it's for them?
I always say just to give it a go. The worst thing that can happen is that you realise it is not for you and you turn your focus to something else. My other piece of advice is to apply for anything, even if you think the role isn’t exactly right for you. The first step is to get inside the door, then you get the chance to look around and see where there may be a better fit for you. For example, a receptionist greets everyone who comes through the door – there is a no better way to develop relationships with everyone who works in that office!
Charlotte Cowie - Chief Medical Officer (Paris 2024)
How did you get into your line of work?
I was doing my initial training as a junior doctor and was fascinated by a fairly new concept in those days of having a career in Sports Medicine. Until then, most doctors working in sport did so a special interest or hobby. So, I decided to throw everything into it and have been working in elite and professional sport pretty much ever since.
What will your role at Paris 2024 entail?
I will be treating Team GB athletes within the Olympic Village, especially where they don't have access to their usual national team doctor. I will also be leading a small team of other Team GB doctors and physiotherapists doing the same thing.
What you would say to young women who are wanting to get into sports medicine and aren't sure if it's for them?
I would say that you have to be really sure that you want to work weekends and evenings, spend long periods away from home and be available at the oddest times! We all know that athletes make those commitments and we have to be there for them. Sometimes if you're a mum or have other commitments, it's quite a hard juggle so it's good to go in with your eyes open to that. There was a time when there were relatively few women within the specialty but I think that's really changed and there is a fantastic expansion in the participation of women in sport, so I think that throws up more opportunity too.
What's a fun fact about yourself that isn't sports related?
I met my husband 36 years ago at Public Enemy’s first UK concert! Now I do a lot of flower arranging at my local church so there's been a real change there.
Francesca Carter-Kelly - Deputy Chef de Mission (Paris 2024)
What does your role at Team GB entail?
I’ve recently joined Team GB on secondment from Commonwealth Games England to lead the delivery of Team GB’s Performance Lodge ahead of Paris 2024. This entails working with the team to create the best performance support environment for athletes at Games time to ensure they can achieve their potential. It's about working with the team in the run up to create a performance space that works well for the whole team and building relationships with those who will support us on our journey to Paris, so the role is a great mix of operational planning, team building, and ultimately ensuring we do all we can to create the best venue and environment for the team come Games time.
What's one thing you wish people knew about working as a Deputy Chef at a Games?
Working as a Deputy Chef is a great honour and with that comes great responsibility. It’s our role to lead by example and ensure athletes have the best support around them at Games time having all they need to perform at their very best. Everything we do and the decisions we make as a team are through a performance lens and we work to create a culture where everybody in the team feels a sense of belonging under the banner of One Team GB.
What you would say to young women who are wanting to get into sports leadership and aren't sure if it's for them?
I would say it’s an incredibly exciting field to work in. From working with athletes, to the planning and passion that goes into everything we do, like in my role, every day is different and it’s great to feel like you are contributing to a wider team goal. The world of sport is continuing to develop and with such a rich range of roles available, the time is now and we need more females to step into the space.
What's a fun fact about yourself that isn't sports related?
Hmmm… a tough one! I’m a mum of a young daughter and I want her to grow up in a world where she can fulfil her dreams and I believe that we all have a role in creating a supportive culture and environment for young people to thrive.
Nicki Combarro - Chief Physiotherapist (Paris 2024)
How did you get into your line of work?
My first exposure to working in sports was as a student physiotherapist, as a pitch side first aid volunteer and sports massage therapist. After qualifying as physiotherapist I continued to work with the team providing acute management of injuries and rehabilitations, alongside working in the NHS. After leaving the NHS I worked in the Ministry of Defence at RAF Halton, which was invaluable for broadening my exposure to acute musculoskeletal injuries. Over the years I have worked for the UK Sports Institute and been part of teams for multisport Games.
What's your favourite experience working at Team GB?
My favourite experiences and memories are actually from interacting with the athletes and wider support team in our 'behind the scenes spaces'. The performance spaces that we create for the athletes in our Team GB footprint provide a perfect environment for training, treatment, rest and recovery away from the cameras and public focus. In this environment we can work with athletes and other performance staff to ensure that the athletes can achieve their optimum performance.
What's one thing you wish people knew about working in physio?
It’s not as glamourous as it sounds! Travelling with a sports team is hard work with long hours - our HQ clinics are open from 7am to 11pm and the doctors are then on call overnight. You often find yourself doing non-clinical tasks as part of the wider team preparation, cleaning apartments, putting up posters, snack shopping or making cups of tea. At a multisport Games the entire team get involved in setting up our HQ team. It is one big team effort.
What you would say to young women who are wanting to get into sports physio and aren't sure if it's for them?
For me, physiotherapy has provided a varied and flexible career, allowing me to have time out of clinical practice to have my two children. There a number of clinical specialist areas that you can work in and a number of clinical settings so I chose sports medicine and currently work in private practice.
What's a fun fact about yourself that isn't sports related?
A bit of a crazy one but I completed the Barcelona Ironman!
Sportsbeat 2024