Artworks

“Unite” highlights the unique ability of the Olympic Games to bring together not just the athletes, but the people of the world. It was when I joined the parade of athletes at my first Opening Ceremony that I understood I had become part of something greater than me. The Olympic Games are so much more than just a sporting event. They are a global reminder that sport is a universal connector that can transcend any differences in race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. “Unite” is a mixed-media work, the foundation of which is a photograph I took in Lake Placid overlooking the lake in winter. “Unite” traces the history of cities that have hosted the Olympic Winter Games and united the world - starting with Chamonix in 1924 and continuing through nearly an entire century up to Beijing this year.

This work is a reminder that Olympians have the ability to Inspire. It’s not just the extraordinary performances of the athletes who stand on the podium at the Olympic Games that can be a source of inspiration. It’s the commitment, perseverance, hard work, resilience, integrity and joy in effort that athletes embrace in their everyday lives. Each athlete has the opportunity to inspire others by living the Olympic values and setting a good example – whether by lending a helping hand to a competitor who has fallen, raising awareness about the importance of mental health, or volunteering with a non-profit organisation that uses sport to promote social change. A photograph that I took in Lake Placid is the foundation of “Inspire”, which is a mixed-media work. The names of the different winter sports are integrated into the work to recognise all of the athletes who have inspired – and continue to inspire – others.

If there’s one word that captures the magic of the Olympic Winter Games for me, it’s “Believe”. It evokes the feeling of what it means to be an Olympian, and what role belief plays in our journeys. It’s how we must Believe in ourselves; in what we can accomplish on the playing field; in the power of sport to transform our lives; and in using our experiences as Olympians to make positive change in the world. It’s how the Olympic Winter Games can inspire anyone to Believe that the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence apply worldwide; that participating in sport is a human right; and that sport can be used to promote gender equity and to fight discrimination of all kinds. “Believe” is a mixed-media work, which started with a photograph that I took in Lake Placid at the site of the Opening Ceremony of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.