Team GB's gold rush goes on

Aug 24 2008 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

Athletes head North

THE stars of the Beijing Olympics are set to make their mark on the North.

Just seven days after the games officially closed, some of the world’s top athletes will be taking to the track and field at Gateshead International Stadium.

Among them will be British 400m hurdles bronze medal winner Natasha Danvers. The 31-year-old managed to gain a podium place during the biggest race of her career.

Despite having performed before a worldwide audience of more than a billion people, Natasha says she is relishing the opportunity to perform in her native country.

She said: “It won’t be a problem competing back on the regular athletics circuit. I love competing in the UK. It’s the best place to be after a major championship as it is in front of a home crowd.”

Natasha missed out at the Athens Olympics as she was pregnant with her son Jaden, and says getting back to full physical fitness was a challenge. She said: “Getting back in shape was a gruelling process but worth it. Other athletes have managed to do it even quicker but most of them were younger when they became pregnant!

“The Olympics has been amazing. I thought it would be either really bad or really good. It’s been really good. I had a blast, not only because I had success, but watching others achieve personal successes like Sarah Claxton making the 100m hurdles final.”

And despite missing out on a gold medal, Natasha has revealed she is still number one in the eyes of the person who means the most in the world to her.

She added: “When I called Jaden after winning bronze he shouted down the phone ‘You’re number one mummy’. I said ‘Well number three, but I know what you mean.’ I’m his number one.”