Turning challenges into fuel: Team GB Sprinter Romell Glave motivates CCC student athletes

More than 30 students from Level 2 and Level 3 Sports courses gathered at Capital City College (CCC)’s King’s Cross campus this month for an exciting visit from Team GB sprinter and Olympic bronze medallist Romell Glave.

Romell, who specialises in the 100m and relay, represented Great Britain at the 2024 European Championships, 2025 World Relays, 2025 European Teams Championships and 2025 World Athletics Championships.

But, as he told CCC’s aspiring athletes, the journey to becoming one of Britain’s fastest men was far from straightforward, and he opened up about the realities of elite training. “You need to have a strong mindset” says Romell. “Hard work beats talent every day. Having that mindset will help you go a long way.”

Originally from Jamaica, Romell didn’t represent the UK professionally until the age of 24. After studying at John Ruskin College and later the University of East London, he dedicated himself to full-time training, spending six days a week, and four to six hours a day improving his speed, endurance, and strength.

Standing in front of CCC’s young athletes, he reflected on the spark that set him on his path to success. “It’s about achieving something you’ve never done before. Beating your personal best,” says Romell.

He describes Usain Bolt as his inspiration, whose achievements were a deciding factor for Romell’s decision at a young age to pursue athletics professionally. That determination later carried him through one of the toughest periods of his career – in 2018, he fractured his lower spine and subsequently suffered several seasons of injuries and setbacks.

“Even when I was injured I had people asking me, ‘Why don’t you change? Why don’t you do something else?’” he told his audience. “I knew if I stopped, I wouldn’t be able to achieve my goal. I’d advise to continue doing what you’re doing, keep your mind straight and focus. After a difficult season, not everyone has the mental resilience to come back. Use challenge as a motivator.”

Continue what you’re doing no matter how hard it is, no matter how difficult your journey is… remember that this is what you wanted to do. This is the goal that you set yourself.

One of the key themes he explored with students was the importance of a positive outlook, and in particular, the shift in mindset required when competing among the world’s elite.

“At the top level, everyone is extremely talented,” Romell says. “Continue what you’re doing no matter how hard it is, no matter how difficult your journey is… remember that this is what you wanted to do. This is the goal that you set yourself.”

He spoke openly about the psychological pressure of international racing, including the moment he experienced two false starts at the European Championships. “You can’t let the moment be greater than you,” he said. “This moment was created for you. Be in the moment, show that you belong there.”

He encouraged students to adopt a broad, flexible mindset, to stay coachable, and to use challenges they face as fuel rather than a barrier. “You have to overcome challenges and persevere. Like I said previously, I faced a lot of injuries. I could easily stop, but I didn’t. But because of my perseverance, regardless of how frustrated I was and disappointed at times, I made a big focus on what I wanted to achieve.”

The talk, open to CCC students studying Level 2 and Level 3 Sports courses, was organised with support from CCC Sports Lecturer Alex Waife, who has known Romell since they were both 16. Alex lectures on sports and public services courses to students aged 16-19 at CCC’s King’s Cross campus.

“It was really inspiring,” Alex said. “Speaking through his career path and what he’s been through shows real motivation to the students. Many of them are athletes themselves, so it gives them that uplift to go where they need to be in life.”

Alex recalled watching Romell’s rapid rise to success as a teenager. “Growing up together, from when he came from Jamaica, we already knew he had that natural, raw talent,” he said. “From the day he started running at Croydon Harriers, he was determined to be a GB athlete.”

For students enrolled on CCC’s Sports Academies and Level 2 and 3 programmes – many of whom train and compete alongside their college work – the message was clear: resilience and self-belief matter just as much as physical ability.

“Success doesn’t have one true meaning,” Romell reminded them. “It has different meanings for different people. Regardless of where you are in the race or on your journey, it doesn’t affect where you’ll end up.”

The session ended with questions from students about training routines, handling competition pressure, and navigating setbacks – topics which resonated strongly with the goals and ambitions of CCC’s students.

As Romell continues his dedicated training routine for upcoming international competitions, his visit left a lasting impression on CCC’s future athletes, as a real-world example of just how far determination and discipline can take you in the high-performance world of professional sport.

Inspired by Romell’s story? Why not explore the range of courses we offer to young athletes at our sports academies. 

Share!