8:40am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Ross Davies
JUST imagine it: you are stood on the highest tier of the podium . . . the national anthem reverberates around the packed stadium . . . you are the Olympic champion.
For many it is the culmination of years of hard work and a gateway to a world of riches and fame untold. For one, it is the final destination in a life journey that has so far resembled a gauntlet of obstacles.
On the face of it, Chris Reynolds is like any other athlete. He dreams of one day winning gold in the planet’s showcase sporting event. And he trains tirelessly day in, day out to make that fantasy a reality.
Except Chris is not like every other athlete.
Seemingly with the world at his feet, the 800m runner from Chigwell stood as the fastest 18-year-old in Europe. He was the third-fastest under-20 athlete on earth. The trophy cabinet was not big enough to house his burgeoning collection of titles.
Then the roof caved in.
First, there was the heartache of his mother’s death. Through no fault of his own, Chris then endured a period of financial strife, in which he struggled to make ends meet. His one outlet was also taken from him, as injury cut him down in his prime and he was discarded by the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics.
It was crushing blow after crushing blow and enough to drive anyone insane. But, rather than throw in the towel, Chris has channelled all his energy in to trying to claim sport’s greatest prize.
The 25-year-old has launched himself into a strict training regime, conducted by his father, with the goal of one day standing atop that podium.
“I’ve been through more stuff than most. I’m just doing this for me,” he says. “I couldn’t care less about money and recognition. It would be such a shame to let this talent go to waste.
“It’s put a whole different light on the sport for me. Back then I was ‘the boy’ – I was third-fastest in the world. Then things got harder and it made me appreciate things a lot more. I don’t have any fear now.”
Chris is under no illusions as to the challenge he faces. But then, he is no stranger to adversity.
“I’ve got to train mega hard. It’s not been easy,” he added.
“Life isn’t Hollywood. The Rocky tune (Eye of the Tiger) isn’t going to come on and everything is going to be fine. It’s not like that. This is the real world. You just have to carry on.”
With such a fine pedigree behind him, the talent is clearly there. And he knows it.
“I’m aiming for the Commonwealth Games,” he says, which will be staged in Delhi this September. “We have to be exceptional. But I know if I get on that track as fit as anybody else then no-one will beat me. Nobody on earth. I will win.
“I’ve beaten people that have been in the top three in the world off little training. I need a good run and to keep my head down.”
It is easy to confuse Chris’s confidence for arrogance, but that would be a mistake. His conviction in his ability has, until now, been matched only by his father, with Chris acknowledging he ‘could not do it without him’. But the Woodford Green with Essex Ladies athlete has found another backer, in the shape of Loughton-based company, Elaine Atkins Physiotherapy.
The practice, who also have a branch in Woodford, appealed for a promising young athlete to join forces with them, and Chris was the stand-out candidate, with the company offering free physio sessions and other benefits in support of his Olympic pursuit, including sports massage sessions, as well as hypnotherapy and mind training.
Carol Darvell is the practice manager, and she has been only too glad to help Chris get back on his feet.
“As we are so close to where the Olympic Games will be held, we wanted to find a talented local person to help,” she said. “We could have just paid to help someone but we wanted to get to know them properly. Chris now has a dedicated physio assigned to him. Given his injury problems, this will be priceless for him.”
Chris admits Elaine Atkins Physiotherapy has been a ‘God-send’.
“If it wasn’t for them I probably wouldn’t have got this far,” he insists. “They’ve been so supportive of me.
“They believed in me and that was a first. These are things I really need but couldn’t afford.”
Chris hopes this new partnership will signal a reversal in fortunes.
He certainly deserves it.
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