“Sometimes it can be really hard to eat on race day because your stomach is churning. But I try to eat two hours before I compete - maybe a sandwich. You need to keep your energy levels up.

I put my music on and think about getting excited and getting my adrenaline pumping. It takes about an hour to warm up. Then you go to the cool room and focus on staying cool and calm. I know it sounds stupid, but you try to walk as slow as possible from the cool room to the track, so as to not use too much energy. All you're trying to think about is not getting over-excited. But you don't want to have no adrenaline whatsoever, otherwise I feel like I'm not going to run well.”

Distractions

“I don't drink. My training is my number one priority. I don't go out to nightclubs - I need to go to bed early. The Olympics doesn't happen very often, so you have to give it your all. Your friends understand - you're an Olympian, you can't go out and have a few drinks here and there because that's going to cost you a day's training.”

Drugs In Sport

“If other girls in my event are taking drugs, they’re not working very well, because if I can still be in the top ten in the world without taking them, that's quite good. But you can't think about it too much, otherwise it puts a damper on what you're achieving. I go out there and run the best I can with the body I have, and if it's good enough for an Olympic medal, then great.

“I’ve probably competed against drugged athletes in the past, but you never know. Until they get caught you can't do anything about it.”

The Olympian

“It's amazing to say to myself that I'm an Olympian. I think I have the potential to get a medal, but first things first; I want to reach the final. From there, you give whatever you have left, because everyone will want that medal badly. Whatever it takes to get one, I'll do it.

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