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Raise Your Game: What have you learnt from athletics?

Christine Ohuruogu: There's a lot that you can learn from sport. It teaches you discipline, and self discipline is important in everything you do in life. A lot of the skills you get from track and field can be transferred into everyday life: focus, how to set goals and how to work towards achieving those goals. You also have to learn to manage your time, just like you do when you're doing your school work.

You need to be able to focus and stay committed when things go wrong. You can't say 'I don't want to do it anymore, pack up and go home.'

It teaches you to work as a team. Today was not about me, it was about getting points for the team. If you finish last it doesn't matter, as long as you finish and get the points. It also boosts your self belief.

I think these are skills that you can take anywhere in life. I also think you can become a better and stronger person through athletics.

RYG: How important is it to be prepared in your mind as well as your body?

CO: I've had a very hard day today, but I think a lot of your performance is based on how ready you are mentally.

When you're on the track, you're on your own. That's what makes it hard! You can't call your coach for help, you have to do it yourself.

RYG: What advice would you give to young people looking to follow in your footsteps?

CO: It's not easy. Just learn to enjoy what you do. It's hard for young people because they have so many other distractions. Passion for participating in athletics, and other sports, can get pushed aside. You really have to try and find a way of enjoying it.

If things go wrong, and you're getting frustrated, go back to that place to remind yourself what you enjoy about the sport. That's what gets you through.