Why should it be an either/or decision to do sport or become an artist?

2012 Staff

Why should it be an either/or decision to do sport or become an artist?

2012 Staff,
15 Mar 2010

Shane Lynch from Boyzone sees no difference between being a singer and being a racing driver – it’s all about performance, personal best and being an entertainer.

Shane was speaking at the ImagineAction event I attended on Saturday 13 March 2010 in Donaghmore, County Tyrone. He told me that he always saw himself as a sportsman first, but nobody can argue that his success as a singer has been second-best. This makes him my new Rio Ferdinand whose talent as both a dancer and footballer continues to influence his career (just watch the Sport Relief piece if you don’t believe me). 

ImagineAction is an Inspire project that sums up, for me, what London 2012 is all about. Talented young sports people are being given the opportunity to develop their talents from the pitch to the stage and go beyond their personal best. This project, part of the Legacy Trust UK Connections Programme, is one of the best examples so far of Baron de Coubertin’s vision for “the marriage of sport and art” and I recommend you check it out.

I’m re-inspired by their talent and hard work and love their very original and witty take on how sport and art come together.

I last saw them all back in October 2009 at the launch and can report that their confidence as performers has definitely grown. As well as a reprise of their signature dance piece inspired by sport (the NI Bobsleigh Team goes from strength to strength), we were treated to some breathtaking singing talent.  Louis Walsh was there and seemed extremely keen that several of the performers make singing their career.

Shane Lynch and Louis Walsh on stage with performers at Imagine Action 

Do I bang on about this too much? Does anyone really still think that the arts and sport are completely separate and have nothing in common?

I was interested to see commentary on the BBC site during the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver about the similarities between ballet and aerials in terms of self-expression and artistic interpretation. Ever since Torville and Dean, most people see the Ice Dance as both sport and art, and may I draw your attention to the synchronised swimming and gymnastics in the summer Games?

See BBC coverage of the event

1 Comment on this post
17 March 2010, telegram/germany said:

It´s indeed right, Francesca, that ice dance is mostly connected with art as there are no jumps and lifting elements over the shoulder.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are an exception in ice dancing as they created their very own language of moves, every beat of the music is transformed into moves. No wonder that the title of their Winter Games routine in 1994 has been "Let´s face the music and dance".
In the background of their success stands the fact that Chris is a very talented choreographer, he has a feeling to bring together the specific character and soul of the dance with the selection of his music, it is like an all-over masterpiece.
Although Jayne had to work in the morning, they often trained all night long in Nottingham because they had so much passion for their sport.
One gets carried away by watching their routines, it is unbelievable that this is sport.

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