Former Olympic Sprinter Adam Gemili Helps Chelsea's Young Players Improve Their Speed

When asked about the highlight of his career, Adam Gemili doesn't hesitate to mention his role in the 2017 World Championships in London, where he was part of a historic relay triumph. This moment stands out to him because it showcases the power of teamwork, an aspect that brings out the best in him. "That's a night I'd love to relive," he shares with Sky Sports. "I feel grateful to have been a part of that history. My parents have videos of it, and it's incredible. It was the last race, and it was Usain Bolt's last race." Gemili explains that despite the odds being stacked against them, his team came together to achieve something special. "We weren't necessarily the four fastest athletes, but together, we were the fastest in that stadium. There were the Jamaicans, and the Americans had won the gold and silver in the 100 meters. Athletics is an individual sport, but in a relay, the team element can come together in a powerful way. That's what we did; we defended our home turf." Before becoming one of the country's top sprinters, Gemili's first love was football. He was part of Chelsea's academy from 2001 to 2008 and still dreamed of a football career when he was selected for the 2012 Olympics at 18. "I was planning to return to football, but when that happened, it was like, no, this is where I am now." For all his athletic achievements, Gemili still talks about football with a sense of longing, like any academy prospect who didn't quite make it. "I grew up playing football, and that's all I knew. It just didn't work out. My dream was to play for England or at least hear the Champions League music. When we were ball boys at Chelsea, it used to give me goosebumps." Gemili credits his time at Chelsea with teaching him discipline. "They taught me how to be professional, how to do the right things, and how to handle pressure. I probably wouldn't be where I am today without growing up at a club like that." Now, at 32, Gemili has announced his retirement from athletics and is excited to launch his 'speed academy.' He's already working with 13- and 14-year-olds at his former club, teaching them speed and how to accelerate properly. "You're teaching them how it should feel. It's different with footballers because it has to be game-specific. You don't want them to be sprinters, but you're teaching them the fundamentals of applying force, moving, reacting, and coordinating when they land and need to push off to accelerate." Gemili is uniquely positioned to help these players, having done two sports at a high level. "I can share some of that knowledge to give them the best chance to succeed. If you think someone is either quick or not, think again. Speed, power, and acceleration can be trained. The improvements these guys have seen in their numbers and force production are incredible." He adds, "I have numbers to back it up. We tested them two or three months later, and the results were beyond incredible. Massive improvements, not just for the quick ones but also for those who weren't quick." With football getting quicker, speed is more important than ever. "They might not be Olympic-fast, but they want to be as quick as they can be. They all want to learn, realizing that extra few percent can be an advantage." Gemili is helping senior players as well, including running a pre-season camp last summer. "We had a big intake, including Manchester City prospect Ryan McAidoo and Aaron Connolly, the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international. It's easy to help senior players if they're open-minded." Speed is just one aspect; injuries can also be due to bad mechanics or recovery. "In my opinion, nothing conditions like sprinting. Footballers realize their careers are short, and they want to improve to get everything out of it." For Gemili, his elite athletic career is over, but he's still young. "I feel ready for new challenges and adventures. I'm closing that chapter, and the next journey awaits. My aim through my 'speed academy' is for that to include football. Chelsea is one of the best academies, always at the forefront of innovation, and it's a privilege to help shape these guys' futures. I hope I can continue to do that. After the glory of gold, Gemili is still happiest when part of a team.