A note from Professor Snyder...

I am captivated by extraordinary success. I have always wanted to know what makes a champion - and I mean a champion in the broadest sense of the word. I see championship as a fundamental aspect of the mind, the aspect responsible for advancing civilisation. Furthermore, I believe that everyone is a potential champion.

Propelled by this motivation, the Centre for the Mind conceived the What Makes a Champion?™ event on the eve of the 2000 Olympics at the University of Sydney. Here, Nelson Mandela led a cast of timeless champions to explore the universals of great success.

We envisaged the 2000 Sydney Olympics as both the opportune moment as well as the quintessential vehicle for the exploration of human achievement. But, not achievement limited only to sports. Rather, human achievement across the board, across the spectrum of human endeavour.

The global interest in our What Makes a Champion?™ initiative continues to be overwhelming. From one simple question in 1998 has come a dynamic mosaic of unique and powerful programs, events and research.

We are delighted to be venturing deep into the heart of China to ponder the influence of culture in
What Makes a Champion?™ Beijing 2008.

Exciting!