Greg Rutherford

“My dad is a builder, and my mum's a nurse. They're just very normal people.”

“It's changed from one-hit wonder to 'Greg Rutherford wins events.' That's what I've always wanted, that level of recognition.”

“I come into these competitions to win, not to get silver or bronze, so it is frustrating.”

“My team are incredible, and I have the most amazing parents and beautiful girlfriend in the world.”

“I was that ginger kid who always wanted people to like him. It's hard, and you've got a big chip on your shoulder for a long time.”

“I drive relatively fast - within the remits of the law, obviously - but I struggle with people who do stupid things on the road. I have a massive urge to shout expletives at them.”

“My parents were great at making sure I got out of bed when I needed to play football on a Sunday morning and that I was ready after school to go to training on a Tuesday and Thursday. But it was never forced upon me or rammed down my throat. If it had been, I could have ended up hating sport.”

“It's all about proving it on the track and proving to people that have different views wrong.”

“Even before I really started, no one said I would make it. But I always had belief.”

“I want to jump far all the time and go out there and win medals.”

“If the room falls silent for a moment, all I hear is white noise.”

“I want to become double Olympic champion, triple Olympic champion, five-time world medallist.”

“When I chose athletics, I knew I wanted to be Olympic champion, and now I have done it in London.”

“During your career, you put yourself in peak physical condition, but then you bear the brunt of it for the rest of your life.”

“I was always the slightly fat kid, which used to bother me quite a bit.”

“Ultimately, you've got to answer your critics on the track, and I am very much hoping 8.41m is acceptable for people.”

“I've got two chocolate labradors, Murphy and Dexter. They're like my children.”

“I take my three dogs for long walks every day, and I use that time to talk myself through winning every major competition.”

“It would be pretty special if I could win two Olympic gold medals, one at the Summer Games and one from the Winters, so I'm going to give it a real go.”

“When I picked athletics, I knew I wanted to be an Olympic champion.”