The Olympic Spike: How Olympic Athletes and Coaches Use Their Experience to Grow Their Businesses and Inspire Future Generations

September 23, 2024

Prepare to hear from seven former Olympic athletes and coaches about their journeys, their commitment to helping young athletes reach new heights, and how they're tapping into the dream of Olympic gold to boost the success of their gymnastics clubs and swim schools. These champions aren’t just inspiring future generations—they’re also harnessing iClassPro’s class registration software for swim school and gymnastics clubs as a powerful tool to streamline class management, automate workflows, and keep their programs running smoothly, so they can focus on what matters most: nurturing the next wave of talent. 

The Olympic Games captivate the world and leaves a lasting impact on athletes, fans, and communities alike. For Olympians who transition into entrepreneurship, the lessons learned on the global stage continue to shape their business ventures and inspire future athletes.

These individuals, having reached the pinnacle of their sport, carry forward the values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance into their businesses. As a result of their Olympic successes, the businesses owned by these pros experience a surge of interest during and after the Olympic Games. Known as the "Olympic spike", communities rally around youth sport facilities as a result of the excitement and inspiration of the Games.

As a former Olympian, Amanda Borden experienced an enrollment rush during and after the Olympics, as parents and kids alike sought out gymnastics as a fun, challenging sport. Borden believes that the relatable stories of athletes’ trials and triumphs resonate with people, motivating them to get involved. “Empower your athletes to know their goals and decide what you are willing to match for your commitment and dedication,” she advises.

Amanda's gym welcomes both boys and girls, expanding the sport’s reach and inspiring kids to find a sport they love. For her, the Olympic spirit is about pushing through challenges and teaching youth athletes the value of loving the process—whether that’s winning, learning new tricks, or simply enjoying the grind. “Stay true to what you love about your sport,” she says. The same drive that propelled her to Olympic success also fuels her passion for empowering the next generation.

Susie McKeon knows how to prepare for and engage her community as the Olympic spike nears. She puts a special focus on decorating the parent viewing room, adding posters where students can write notes to their favorite current Olympic athletes. With former Olympians on staff, she posts their bios and photos, creating a space where students are continually reminded of the greatness they can achieve. During the Olympics, her gym goes the extra mile by handing out medals after lessons and showing Olympic events throughout the facility, even incorporating the Paralympics to showcase inclusivity.

Susie advises those looking to inspire the next generation to focus on the long game: “Children need to have fun first and develop a love for the sport. Be in it for the long run—there is no short-term success.”

Dean Kent uses his own Olympic experience to create an unforgettable atmosphere in his facility. He sets up life-size cutouts for kids to take photos with and sends messages of good luck to current Olympians. As a former Olympian himself, Dean also offers free services to local schools, sharing his journey and stoking the Olympic excitement. He prepares accordingly for the enrollment spike by having additional teachers and classes on hand, ensuring every child can join in the Olympic enthusiasm.

For business owners, Dean’s advice is simple: "The skills they need should be developmentally appropriate. Make the activities fun and engaging for the children.”

For Georgia Bonora, the Olympics are the perfect opportunity to energize her gym. She prepares themed lesson plans and decorates the facility, while older athletes participate in Q&A sessions designed to help them think about reaching higher levels of success. Georgia’s gym also uses the Olympics as a teaching moment, incorporating flashbacks to previous Games to show the progress athletes make over time.

Her advice for those looking to open their own facility? “Don’t be afraid to try things! The hardest part is starting. From there, it’s lots of little steps, trial and error, and learning.” She emphasizes the importance of having a strong support team, noting that success in business is not something you can achieve alone.

At Coach Wang’s business, the Olympics lead to a noticeable increase in participation of events with enrollments selling out at a record speed. Wang finds the Olympics to be a time when kids start asking questions and setting their own goals, dreaming of one day being like the athletes they admire. Her swim school takes advantage of the surge in excitement by engaging with youth organizations like the Boy Scouts, spreading the Olympic spirit far and wide. She notes “It’s very exciting for kids to get so close to an Olympian, possibly getting to touch an Olympic medal!”

Coach Wang encourages aspiring athletes to appreciate the support of their parents while chasing their dreams. "Work hard, not just for a few years, but for a long time to make dreams come true. No pain, no gain applies to your entire life: school, sports, and careers," she emphasizes, underscoring the importance of dedication in all aspects of life.

For Jim Montgomery, the Olympic euphoria is a golden opportunity for community engagement. His swim school transforms its lobby into an Olympic celebration, complete with Olympic memorabilia and themed practices. These small, thoughtful touches create an environment where parents and children alike can revel in the excitement of the Games. Parents love themed events, as they provide picture-perfect moments to share on social media, which also doubles as free marketing for your business.

Montgomery believes that “excellence thrives in the details,” and this principle begins with the fundamentals of swimming. He advises young athletes to dream big, suggesting “if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” He sees the Olympics as an inspiration not only for athletes, but for parents looking to celebrate their children’s milestones.

Tom Forster shares the importance of focusing on both recreational classes and competitive teams, with a strong belief that one is not more important than the other. For him, the key to growth lies in teaching coaches how to properly develop beginner athletes. "You never know what an athlete can become—so always dream bigger," he says.

Forster emphasizes that gymnastics, much like swimming, is a sport in which families across the world value for its life-saving skills and long-term health benefits. By focusing on building a strong foundation at the beginner level, his gym nurtures future Olympians while creating a fun, supportive environment for recreational athletes. His advice to aspiring Olympians is simple: "If it’s really, really valuable, it’s really hard." The reward, however, is always worth the effort.

Impacting the Next Generation of Olympic Hopefuls

The common thread among these Olympians is a commitment to using their experiences to positively impact youth sports through their gymnastics clubs and swim schools. Whether it's through themed celebrations, strong foundational teaching, or simply leading by example, these former athletes have taken the lessons from their Olympic journeys and transformed them into thriving businesses that inspire the next generation.

From Amanda Borden’s philosophy of empowering athletes to find what they love, to Coach Wang’s emphasis on hard work and gratitude, to Jim Montgomery’s focus on attention to detail, and Tom Forster’s belief in dreaming bigger—these Olympians show that the road to success is not just about the destination, but the journey.

Their businesses thrive on the Olympic spirit, welcoming a surge of enthusiasm and participation every four years, all while shaping future athletes who one day might also stand on the Olympic podium. The Olympics may come and go, but the legacy of these athletes—and their commitment to inspiring future generations—lives on in every class, practice, and event they host.

For young athletes aspiring to reach the Olympic level, the message is clear: Dream big, work hard, and stay true to what you love. The Olympic flame continues to burn bright, lighting the way for future champions.

At iClassPro, we are honored to serve experts like these Olympians in the gymnastics, swim, dance, and cheer industries. iClassPro Class Management Software Founder and CEO, Chris McNabb, has a strong background and expertise which have played a crucial role in the creation and implementation of gymnastics and swim school software solutions tailored to meet the needs of children’s activity centers. Chris himself was an elite athlete, training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He represented the USA Tumbling and Trampoline Olympic Exhibition Team in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. From his distinguished sports career to his successful entrepreneurial venture, Chris is a figure who embodies dedication, excellence, and the spirit of innovation.