The Golden Girl

So what does it take to be an Olympic gold medalist? As a little girl I was obviously quite a talented athlete, but without the support of my family I wouldn't be here now. The fact that I had a god-given talent was a starting point, but I was also determined and very focused and prepared to train very hard. Then, at the age of ten, I decided I was the world's greatest athlete. [laughs] That sounds about right. Yeah, it was very cheeky and bold. But I didn't tell everybody, I just told myself that I was. So, ever since a young age, I knew I was going to be a champion athlete and I hated losing. From there, I just went from one competition to the next until I got my gold medal in my hometown, Sydney. What advice would you give to someone like Liu Xiang, who faces a very similar situation as you did in 2000? Do what's in your heart and you can't go wrong. I think it helps to maintain perspective and just take control of the only things you can control. And the competitive spirit and the pride and the sense of occasion, they can help you cope with some pretty daunting challenges. Being back in an Olympic setting, are you tempted to put on your running shoes again and go for another gold? Oh no, no, no. I've been there and I've done that. I get nostalgic and sentimental, sure, but I know myself well enough that I just don't have the energy, that same sense of hunger to win another race. It's already been such a fulfilling life that's surpassed all of my wildest dreams, so I've got that in my little safe place, and memories are all I need now.