University of Southern Queensland sports psychologist Professor Peter Terry has arrived in London ready to take aim with the Australian shooting team for his 9th Olympic Games.
Professor Terry will be providing psychological support to the 17 members of Australia’s shooting team, including champions like Michael Diamond who, this year, is hoping to equal Dawn Fraser’s unmatched record of winning an Olympic Gold in the same event at three Olympic Games.
He has 28 years experience working with elite sports people and has attended more than 100 world-class events across a range of sports including track and field, shooting, tennis, and even bobsledding at the Winter Olympics.
‘There’s no question, the Olympics is still the pinnacle,’ he said.
‘I don’t think there would be a single Olympic athlete who doesn’t suffer from some anxiety — my role is to help them sure up the potential cracks in their confidence.’
‘I’m there to help them go from good to great.’
‘Of all the Olympic sports, shooting is perhaps the most mentally demanding. The margins for error are so fine you have to be almost perfect.’
Prior to the Olympics, Professor Terry planned to attend the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS) in Glasgow, where he will deliver a keynote address entitled, “Citius, Altius, Fortius: If Only It Were That Easy”, addressing the stressors and obstacles that elite athletes must overcome before they even arrive at the starting line.
Professor Terry has also conducted extensive research into the effect of music on athletic performance and is a strong advocate for the use of music to help prepare athletes before an event.
‘There are few things in life that can change your mindset more quickly or powerfully than music,’ he explained.
‘I believe listening to the right music can even be the difference between winning a medal and not winning a medal.’
Professor Terry is England-born and grew up in London, meaning this Olympic event holds special significance for him.
However, despite his English accent, Professor Terry is quick to point out that his allegiance now lies with Australia.
‘I would like nothing more than to thrash the Brits in the medal tally,’ he said.
An accomplished sportsman himself in his younger days, Professor Terry said his passion for sport was as strong as it had ever been.
‘I guess I was a wannabe Olympian but wasn’t good enough — this is the next best thing,’ he said.
‘If you can’t go out there to win medals for yourself the closest you can get is to help someone else do it.’
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