Catching An Antelope

Thoughout history there are men who change the game and bring millions to their feet, but who stand on the sidelines whilst others enjoy the spotlight of triumph and glory.

They are the coaches behind the sport-stars and legendary teams. They are the Fergusons and Shanklys of football, the Manny Stewards and Charlie Goldmans of boxing, the Rileys and Auerbachs of Basketball. They are the inspirational and unforgettable reason why some become sporting greats whilst others come second place. But the most successful coach in the history of athletics is a name few know, and who continues coach athletes into the record books.

When Brother Colm came to teach Geography at St Patricks School, Kenya, in 1976, there was no tarmac roads, no electricity, and just a small isolated village. He wasn't interested in athletics and his only coaching experience was the under-eleven village football team in his native Ireland. Thirty years on he is responsible for training numerous Olympic medal winners, record-breakers and inspiring a nation to track glory. Despite this he has never been to the Olympics, has never worked-out and the school still doesn't have an athletics track.

In the ever sophisticated, celebrity hungry and cash rich world of sport where African sports stars can be bought by brands and countries he has remained true to his beliefs of simplicity and keeping your feet firmly on the ground. His only desire is to help young Kenyans escape their poverty, forget their tribal divides and realise their potential. He is a reminder of what sport really means.

This is the journey made by him and his athletes from when they first ran for fun to catch an antelope to running in front of millions worldwide to win Olympic gold. It is a journey that requires endurance and focus not just on the track, but in life itself. It is a journey that takes us through riots and bloodshed from adversity to hope and from tragedy to triumph.

It is an extraordinary true story where dreams run free.