Team GB in Sochi will be made up of over 55 athletes in addition to 80 support staff and one man holds the whole thing together. Mike Hay is a former international curler and in his role as Chef de Mission, it’s his job to make sure Team GB deliver their best possible performance at the Games.
“In the run up to the Games I’ve lead the planning and organisation of the team and I’m the primary point of contact for the organising committee. I’ve built up the support team to include physios, doctors and other experts to support our winter athletes.
A number of previous roles have prepared me for the job of Chef de Mission in Sochi. I’ve been a coach and performance director, and head of sport engagement for the BOA (British Olympic Association), so I’ve been to all the major games. I have a calming influence, which should come in useful seeing as 50% of our athletes will have their first Olympic experience in Sochi.
Compared to the summer games, it’s more difficult to make predictions on Team GB’s success in Sochi. We’ll be focusing on keeping the athletes that have podium potential fi t and healthy, especially in the field of the more extreme sports. We’ve got real medal chances
in maybe four or five disciplines, I’ll be making sure that the pressure and distractions of the Games don’t hinder our potential.”
