This article by Gary Neville epitomises a lot of what I believe about sport, and life in general. On the verge of becoming only the seventh player to represent Manchester United 500 times, he looks back over his career. In particular, he reflects that he got where he is by sheer hard work. There were many more talented players, and he made a lot of mistakes, but he got where he is by working as hard as he could and never giving up.

I couldn't sum up my own swimming career better than that. There were many, many more talented swimmers, but I never gave up. Which is why someone so untalented as myself got where I did: the more talented swimmers all gave up and next thing I knew, I was left standing alone. I have no illusions about my own talent and ability, but I do know that I always worked hard and never gave up. When I finally came up against people who worked as hard as I did and were more talented than I was, I was beaten. But I gave it my all and there's nothing more you can ask.

So a salute to Gary Neville, a man who got where he is by sheer hard work and stubborn determination. Men like him are often overlooked, but he is a true role model.