I maintained my edge by always being a student; you will always have something new to learn.

We live in a world where sports have the potential to bridge the gap between racism, sexism and discrimination. The 2012 Olympic Games was a great start but hopefully what these games taught us is that if women are given an opportunity on an equal playing field the possibilities for women are endless.

I've had asthma my entire life.

Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind.

I don't have to be enemies with someone to be competitors with them.

The London games mark the 24th anniversary of my winning two golds and setting the world record in the heptathlon. Someone is going to want it; records are made to be broken - it's only a matter of time. I hope mine will outlive me.

I don't think being an athlete is unfeminine. I think of it as a kind of grace.