ABSTRACT

At first glance, a chapter on speaking to the media may appear out of place in a handbook on elite sports performance. We typically associate elite sporting performance with what is happening on the pitch, in the pool, or on the track rather than what goes on in the interview booth or press conference. It is also a widely-held belief that you cannot talk your way to a win and that actions speak louder than words, especially words spoken in the media. Additionally, for many elite performers, speaking to the media is an unwanted distraction that can take them away from their teammates during times of celebration, interrupt important recovery routines, be an invasive presence during preparation, or take messages and meaning out of context, innocently or perhaps for strategic effect. So, why would elite performers, or an elite performance handbook for that matter, dedicate any time and space to it?