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

When asked about the highlight of his career, Adam Gemili doesn't choose his European gold medal in the 200 meters, but instead, his role in the relay victory at the 2017 World Championships in London. This is no surprise, given that team sports bring out the best in him. "If I could relive one night, it would be that one," he shares with Sky Sports. "I'm grateful to have been part of that history. I have videos of it from my parents' phone. It was incredible, especially since it was Usain Bolt's last race." Gemili explains that despite the odds being stacked against them, the team came together to achieve something special. "We defended our home turf, and that team environment is what I thrive in," he says. 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 the age of 18. "I was planning to return to football, but when I was chosen for the Olympics, it was like, no, this is where I am now," he recalls. Although he achieved great things in athletics, he still talks about football with a sense of wistfulness, like any academy prospect who didn't quite make it. "I grew up playing football, and it was 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," he says. Gemili credits his time at Chelsea with teaching him discipline and professionalism. "They taught me how to handle pressure and do the right things. I probably wouldn't be where I am today without growing up at a club like that," he acknowledges. Now, at 32, Gemili has announced his retirement from athletics and is excited to launch his own speed academy. He's already working with 13- and 14-year-old players at his former club, teaching them speed and how to accelerate properly. "You're teaching them how it should feel, which is a bit different for footballers since it needs to be game-specific," he explains. Gemili is uniquely positioned to help these players, given his experience in both sports. "I'm one of the few lucky enough to have done two sports at a high level, and I can understand the crossover. I can share my knowledge to give them the best chance to succeed," he says. He believes that speed and power can be trained, and the improvements he's seen in the players are incredible. "It's not just the quick ones; the ones who weren't quick have seen even more improvement," he notes. With football becoming increasingly fast-paced, 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, and I think they realize that extra few percent can be an advantage," Gemili says. In addition to working with younger players, Gemili has also helped senior players, including running a pre-season camp last summer. "We had a big intake, including Manchester City prospect Ryan McAidoo and 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international Aaron Connolly," he reveals. Gemili believes that speed is just one aspect of the game and that injuries can be prevented with proper mechanics and recovery. "I'm biased, of course, but in my opinion, nothing conditions like sprinting. Footballers realize their careers are short, and they want to improve to get everything they can out of it," he explains. As Gemili closes the chapter on his athletic career, he's ready for new challenges and adventures. His goal through his speed academy is to help shape the futures of Chelsea's young players. "Chelsea is one of the best academies around, always at the forefront of innovation, and it's a privilege to help these guys. I hope I can continue to do that," he says.