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Speed skater Steven Bradbury created history in Salt Lake City when he became the first Australian to win a Winter Olympic Gold Medal.
His remarkable and unlikely victory was achieved after a spectacular final-lap spill took out his four rivals. Steven Bradbury threw his arms up in disbelief and smiled as he crossed the finish line.
The four-time Olympian hails from sun-drenched Brisbane, and followed his father into the sport. He was a member of the 5000m-relay team that won Bronze in Lillehammer – Australia's first Olympic medal. He has helped finance his skating career through his partnership in Revolutionary Boot Company – manufacturers of speed skating boots. Among his clients is Apollo Anton Ohno, ironically the favourite for the race Steven Bradbury won.
His gold medal win was not entirely as fortuitous as many would believe. Steven Bradbury knew his limitations and also the unpredictable nature of short track racing. Half the battle is staying on your blades, and Steven Bradbury did just that, right when it really counted.
Dubbed "the luckiest gold medallist", Bradbury won fans the world over for the honesty and humility he showed after the win. He saw his victory as reward not for one race, but for a decade of hard slog that has included more than his share of misfortune.
In Montreal, 1994, a race accident led to him being impaled on a skate and creating a cut so extensive he lost 4 litres of blood and required 111 stitches. He was extremely lucky to survive. Following that, a training mishap in 2000 broke his neck and forced him to spend six weeks in a halo brace.
Steven Bradbury again fought his way back, and two years later that neck was in the headlines again – only this time it hung with an Olympic Gold Medal.
STEVEN’S TALK:
Steven Bradbury’s story is one of the true Aussie battler who overcomes all kinds of adversity to achieve the ultimate goal.
His presentation entitled ‘LAST MAN STANDING’ includes:
- Audience participation
- Great stories and an inspirational poem
- My fathers influence (instilling a work ethic and lessons learned)
- Business success through my speed skate making company
- A 3 part DVD including intro, blood spilt on the ice and reliving that Olympic final through my eyes.
- When your moment to shine presents itself will you be in position, and prepared to be the next ‘To do a Bradbury’.
As well as being entertained and inspired your audience will be left with a lasting impression that much of the prize is in the journey and that success takes passion, persistence and teamwork.
Some people have described Steven Bradbury’s victory as lucky. Winning Olympic gold took a lot more than just luck. The same as in business, strategy and planning were key ingredients in his success. Four Olympic campaigns and 12 years of hard slog including an Olympic Bronze in 1994, 111 stitches in my leg and in the year 2000 a broken neck. 18 months later that same neck was supporting an Olympic Gold Medal.
Steven Bradbury’s story touches a chord with people from all walks of life and is a prime example to all if you ‘stick it out’ you too can be the last man standing.
The story leading up to this achievement is what makes his presentation memorable and unique.
Steven Bradbury portrays the following characteristics:
- Leading edge
- Well recognised
- Attention-grabbing
- Inspiration
- Self-motivation
- Leader
- Excellence
- Success
- Dynamic
- Unique
WHAT ELSE HAS STEVEN BEEN UP TO RECENTLY?
Steven Bradbury’s motor sport career is now well under way. On July 8 & 9th 2006 Steven raced the Cam’s Nationals at Sydney’s Eastern Creek raceway in FORMULA VEE. With his major sponsor he is all set to race the entire Qld Championship next year. Steven Bradbury is also planning to race in the much anticipated, one-make series - The Sherrin Cup in 2007. He is looking for sponsors right now!
In March 2006 Steven was appointed onto the AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ATHLETES COMMISSION. Since 2003 Steven has also been a BOARD MEMBER of the OLYMPIC WINTER INSTITUTE (OWI) and has retained his position through to 2010. Steven is keen to use his vast experience in elite sport to help our future athletes with his continued involvement in our sporting programs.
March 2006 saw CHANNEL 9 program 20 to 1.countdown Australia’s 20 most memorable sporting moments in history. Steven’s Gold Medal win in Salt Lake City was voted our NUMBER.1 MEMORABLE MOMENT OF ALL TIME!!!
February 2006 saw Steven at the WINTER OLYMPICS in TORINO, ITALY where he excelled as part of the CHANNEL 7 COMMENTARY TEAM. Continued interest in Steven’s gold medal race and his story allowed him to appear on numerous television networks for many countries during the Torino Olympics. Steven was also the Winter Olympic COLUMNIST for Fairfax Newspapers and REPORTER for Triple M radio.
In January 2006 Steven Bradbury appeared on CHANNEL 10’s big brother spin off FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES where celebrities compete in teams and undertake some weird and wonderful challenges.
September and November 2005 saw Steven travel to China, Korea, Italy and Holland as TEAM LEADER and ASSISTANT COACH with the AUSTRALIAN SPEED SKATING TEAM. The team qualified there maximum quota of 6 skaters for the 2006 TORINO OLYMPICS including our men’s relay team which went on to finish 6th in the WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES. Steven was keen to volunteer his services and knowledge of short track speed skating to assist the National Coach, Ann Zhang and the Australian team in their Olympic assault.
Steven spent a big part of 2005 writing his autobiography, titled “LAST MAN STANDING’. His book is an inspirational story that details his amazing career and is a must read for any budding sportsperson or enthusiast.
DANCING WITH THE STARS was also added to Steven Bradbury’s achievements when he appeared in series 2 (in 2005) of the hugely popular program. Unfortunately it was a short stint as Steven was the first casualty!
More recently, Steven Bradbury received an Order of Australian Medal (OAM) on Australia Day 2007.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Olympic Games
- 1992 7th 5000m Relay
- 1994 Bronze 5000m Relay
- 1994 8th 500m
- 1998 8th 5000m Relay
- 2002 Gold 1000m
World Championships
- 1991 1st 5000m Relay
- 1993 3rd 5000m Relay, 4th 1500m
- 1994 2nd 5000m Relay
- 1999 8th Overall
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