Denise Lewis Backs the Active Women Campaign

- You are best known as an Olympic gold winning athlete so how was your Olympic experience when you look back on it now?

Sydney was confirmation for me just what can be achieved when you put your heart and soul into something that you believe in. When I look back at what happened to me before those Games with all the injury problems then to come through it and win the gold medal makes me very proud.

I could not have made it without my coach, physios and doctor who were an essential part of my team.

- And how did you get into sport yourself? And what did sport give you as you were growing up?

I got into sport at school and this is why I invest a lot of my time supporting children and teachers to get the best out of themselves in PE lessons and encouraging where possible more after school provisions for children to do more sport. 

Sport gave me a positive identity within school and a lot of self respect. For many children across the country what they do in their PE lessons is the only form of exercise they get per week.

- You have retired from athletics so are you enjoying life away from the track?

I am enjoying life away from the track even though it took a while for me to feel this way because I did miss it terribly at one point.  I have a great balance now between family life and my work commitments and I still manage to fit in some exercise!

- You are part of the BBC team, you were in Berlin, so how is it looking at athletics from the other side of the fence?

I'm very passionate about athletics so watching it was great especially as the team did so well.

- You were in Berlin so what did you think of team GB and what still needs to be done now that 2012 is less than 1000 days away?

I think that Team GB as a whole is in good shape with less than 1000 days to go before the Olympics. 

The talent has been identified  and supported in every way to be ready for what will be the biggest event in their lives.  Staying relatively injury free and mentally strong is all that needs to be done from here on in.

- Obviously the Olympics is coming to London how exciting as a former athlete is it to compete in your home country?

I can't begin to put into words what it will be like competing in front of a home crowd.  I was in the stadium for Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games and it was electrifying.  I'm sure every athlete competing in London will feel so elevated, they will never forget the feeling.

- How do you hope 2012 will impact on team GB and UK sport in general?

2012 has already impacted sport in the UK.  It has been a great source of inspiration for athletes and many school children who aspire to be successful sportsmen and women. 

I hope when the Games are over we can continue to build on the enthusiasm and encourage girls and young women in particular to chose a life in sport.

- Finally what's next for you?

I am off to India as an Ambassador for the 2012 International Inspirations Programme in conjunction with Unicef & the British Council. 

Part of our promise when we won the bid back in 2005 was to inspire children around the world  and give as them the opportunity to change their lives and communities through sport.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw

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