October 26, 2024 — At the University of Newcastle Sports Awards, Olympian Se-Bom Lee joined a guest panel of sports and academic figures to discuss the vital balance between performance and participation in sport, and its role in shaping both personal growth and community resilience. The panel highlighted the role of performance centres and the value of community-based sporting involvement in supporting athletes at all levels.
In the world of competitive sports, there’s often a singular focus: winning. But as Se-bom Lee reminded us as part of the panel at the awards, sport should offer so much more than medals. Se-Bom is an Olympian who has skilfully balanced swimming with his studies, made a compelling case for why sport isn’t just about reaching the podium but about shaping lives and communities.
His message was timely and resonant. With so much emphasis on Australia’s Olympic performance, it's easy to overlook the importance of sport as a vehicle for personal growth, resilience, and long-term success beyond the pool. “The pursuit of knowledge sharpens the mind, while sport sharpens the body. Striking this balance is vital for longevity and life beyond competitive sport,” Lee said—a reminder that athletic prowess and academic ambition can, and should, coexist.
Consider NSW’s elite performance centres, the powerhouses behind eight out of ten NSW Olympians in Paris 2024. These centres are integral to our country’s success on the world stage, providing athletes with top-tier training environments and invaluable support networks. And while they help create Olympians, their true value lies in the comprehensive growth they promote. Se-Bom emphasized that “having access to these world-class facilities and coaching allowed me to elevate my performance,” with Kirsten Thomson OLY, CEO of Swimming NSW acknowledging that these centres are essential not just for Olympic-caliber athletes but also for raising standards and knowledge sharing at all levels of the sport across the state.
The same can be said for NSWIS and NuSport, whose support systems bridge the often-daunting path between academia and sport. Se-bom praised his network and Sander Ganzevles, Head Coach at the Newcastle Performance Centre, highlighted how these organisations do more than produce athletes; they build individuals. These partnerships offer critical resources in sports science, recovery, and mentorship, helping athletes navigate a path that respects both the demands of sport and the realities of life beyond it.
What Lee shared wasn’t just a celebration of his achievements but a vision for future athlete. “I hope my experiences inspire the next generation to see sport not just as a career, but as a way to grow, learn, and give back,” he said. This sentiment is exactly what our sporting culture needs right now: an acknowledgment that true success in sport isn’t just about performance but about participation, community, and a vision that transcends the individual.
In a world fixated on breaking records, we need more voices like Se-bom Lee’s reminding us that sport should lift up, inspire, and create opportunities for everyone—whether they’re destined for Olympic fame or a lifelong love of the game. It’s time we embrace sport’s broader purpose, just as Lee has, and realize that the greatest legacies in sport are often built on more than medals.
