Roald BRADSTOCK (GBR)

Olympian Artist – Painting: PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020

Picture of Roald Bradstock
Roald Bradstock is a two-time Olympic athlete who competed in athletics at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988. He is also a two-time Olympic artist, having been involved at PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.


He is a former javelin record holder and also holds dozens of other world records for throwing a variety of bizarre objects, from vinyl records and iPods to cricket balls and golf balls.


His paintings were exhibited at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne as part of the cultural activities ahead of the Olympic Games Sydney 2000.


In 2017, Roald was appointed to the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission. The following year, he was appointed Chair of the newly formed World Olympians Association (WOA) Art Committee: OLY Arts.

ARTISTIC PROJECT

OLYMPIC STRONG

This piece is about the strength and power of the Olympic Movement and the Olympic ideals and values, and the Movement’s creativity in overcoming adversity, succeeding, and ultimately thriving. The iconic and symbolic five interlocking Olympic rings are under attack from every angle, but they remain intact, unbroken, and strong – they are a powerful, enduring symbol recognised around the world and represent the strength of an idea. © 2021 – Roald Bradstock
Roald Bradstock's artworks
Roald Bradstock's artworks

THE RACE AGAINST TIME

In this painting, the artist turned the five Olympic rings into five figures. The race is on to get back to normal, to find a cure for the COVID-19 virus, to overcome the pandemic. The Race Against Time is a symbolic image that captures this unique moment in human history. The Olympic Games celebrate life, youth, excellence. In this painting, there can be no single winner. To win this race we must work together collectively, put aside our differences and become one global community helping each other. © 2021 – Roald Bradstock 

EVERYTHING

The artist wanted to pay homage to some of the greatest athletes in javelin throwing history – his speciality – from the former world record holder Al Cantello in the 1950s to the current world record holder, Jan Zelezny. It's a great visual example of Olympic spirit, determination, overcoming adversity, and pushing the envelope of what is possible. The painting is a visual representation of Olympic javelin history. © 2021 – Roald Bradstock
Roald Bradstock's artworks
Roald Bradstock's artworks

HERD COMMUNITY

This painting symbolises the worldwide collective effort to overcome the pandemic. The road cyclists are coming at the viewer, pushing as hard as they can. They are individuals, but they are visually all connected to each other. The artist chose road cyclists because they work in teams when they compete. In this dark time in human history, when we were dealing with the unknown, the artist wanted to convey hope and optimism. © 2021 – Roald Bradstock

Questions and answers

What does being an Olympian or Paralympian mean to you personally? How does it define your approach to life and how you view yourself and the world?

Being an Olympian or Paralympian means holding oneself to a higher standard. Having competed and communicated with the best, one continues to strive for something beyond what is expected.

When we talk about “Olympic culture”, what does that mean to you? How do you explain to people that the Olympic Games are more than just a sports competition?

Being a true Olympian is a lifelong journey that begins when you become an Olympic athlete. Sure, you need to develop and focus on your body and your craft. But you also need to develop your mind and spirit. For me, that’s what really makes the Olympic Games stand out from all other sports competitions. The Olympic Games capture the imagination. For me, “Olympic culture” is about storytelling; drama that captures the imagination of the participants and the spectators. Sport, art, culture, and creativity are so intertwined in the Olympics – sometimes it is difficult to see them separately.

If you could go back in time and give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Aim higher!

I remember being in the 1984 LA Olympics and being so excited just to be there and then to make it to the final. But I couldn’t get really motivated to push for a medal or to win. My lifelong goal had been met: to become an Olympian. I couldn’t just do a reset on the spot. I aimed too low!

Are there parallels in your approach to your art and your approach to your sport?

All my life I have been an artist and an athlete – two seemingly polar opposite pursuits. Both require a lot of time and focus. Then 25 years ago I did some research about the Olympic Games and Pierre de Coubertin. I realised then that sport and art were not different but in fact the same. When I came to that realisation, everything changed for me. I saw everything differently. I saw the connections and similarities between sport and the arts. It changed my approach to my sport and training and also how and what I created in my art studio.

MEET THE ARTISTS

Olympian artists at PyeongChang 2018

Art of painting

Olympian Artists

Olympian Artists are people who are both artists and Olympic athletes.