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The rules are the rules—except when, as is often the case, they are open to interpretation. Rules play a crucial role in sport, and referees, umpires, or adjudicators are frequently cast as the villains as they make split-second decisions that can change the course of an athlete's performance.

Humour is an essential element of elite performance. It provides a natural release from the pressures of a demanding schedule and plays a crucial role in navigating the ups and downs of the competitive world of athletics, business, or even school.

Elite performers transform strategy into execution to achieve their desired outcomes. In this blog, I’ll share personal insights about my journey toward earning that Great Britain jersey and my dreams of gold.

The moment I felt my hamstring pull, I knew I had pushed myself too far. The Sydney Olympics represented years of preparation and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to achieve my goals. In just one training session, my dreams were shattered. Little did I know, this marked the beginning of my long journey back to fitness, ultimately leading to my Olympic gold four years later in Athens.

Catch up with the latest news from our BISS Lions sports teams!

As an elite athlete, I was meticulous about nutrition, recovery, and maintaining the right balance to achieve peak energy levels during competitions. I discovered that my energy was influenced not only by my diet but also by the people I surrounded myself with. Positive energy from like-minded individuals amplified our collective drive.

There’s no crystal ball for decision-making. At various points in life—whether you’re a student choosing courses, a professional considering a career move, or facing a personal crossroads—difficult choices arise. This was my reality as I approached the end of my athletic career, forcing me to confront the inevitable.

Over 20 years of competing against the best in athletics, I was always striving to improve. In just over 10 seconds, I needed to explode into action, be aggressive yet in control, and push myself to my limits while remaining completely relaxed. There’s no time to think; everything must happen at a subconscious level, executed with supreme control and confidence. So, how do we express and build true confidence?

As a junior athlete beginning my journey in athletics, I was part of a group of young British athletes with the potential to transition from under-20 junior ranks to senior competition. As a young sprinter, I faced a particularly challenging progression through age groups. The U23 category was in its infancy, lacking established competition. Many athletes, including myself, attempted to leap directly from junior to senior categories.

As a professional athlete, I was fortunate to have access to exceptional coaches who mentored and challenged me to reach my full potential. The gold medal we won at the 2004 Olympics is a testament to the collective effort of many individuals who supported me through difficult times and encouraged me to push my limits.

BISS was delighted to welcome England and Liverpool football legend, Emile Heskey, to the school. Inviting students for a unique football camp experience, the event was organised as a collaboration between Nord Anglia Education, Liverpool FC and its sponsors, Standard Chartered Bank.

The time had come for our BISS student athletes to showcase their talents in the 2025 Primary FOBISIA Friendly Games. Flagbearers, William Eagle Wang and Lucy Coffin, led us into the stadium under the scorching 34-degree weather with high humidity. Day 1 commenced with athletics and swimming.

The team set off to Chengdu to compete in the first NAE Multisports games since 2019. Twenty-one boys and girls, from Years 4 and 5 were looking forward to competing in a two-day tournament of athletics and football. For most of these students, this was their first sports tour and there was a great deal of excitement, sprinkled with a touch of nervousness.

The BISS Lions Women’s Basketball team showed heart, resilience, and an unbreakable team spirit at the 2025 ACAMIS Basketball Red Division Tournament in Suzhou from 13-15 February. Facing tough competition from Renaissance College, Chinese International School, Dulwich College Beijing, Dulwich College Shanghai, and Suzhou Singapore International School, the Lions demonstrated grit in every game.

The D1 BISS Lions Girls Volleyball team participated in the SISAC Plate Tournament at the French School of Shanghai on Saturday 26 October. Entering the tournament as the 6th seed, the Lions finished their western division season with a record of 2 wins and 6 losses.

Established in 1978 as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, IMG Academy has grown into a global leader in sports education. Today, it offers a comprehensive range of on-campus and online programs, supporting student-athletes throughout their developmental journey from exploration to specialisation to graduation. IMG Academy has also announced its collaboration with Nord Anglia Education and BISS!

BISS' Performance Coach and Olympic gold medalist, Marlon Devonish, reflects on his 2004 winning performance in an interview with The Times newspaper.

In a thrilling display of skill and determination, our D1 girls' football team won the plate competition, culminating in a memorable send-off for our seniors.

The BISS Lions swimming team participated in Round 3 of the Shanghai Swim League from the 19-21 January, hosted by Nanjing International School, with over 600 competitors. The two-day event epitomised the commitment of our swimming team and their parents to the programme, as the time invested at swimming events is huge. The students put on fantastic individual and team performances, demonstrating solidarity, when supporting their peers across the course of the weekend.

In an exciting encounter at the CISSA Juniors Girls Football tournament, the team from BISS Puxi faced off against Dulwich Puxi. The match ended in a thrilling tie, with both teams managing to score two goals each.