Yes, I learned history at school; I know everything about apartheid. My dad, he bought the books about it, stuff like that. But I just move on with my life. It's completely different for me.
I could never give up athletics. Running is what I will always do. Even if, maybe, the authorities could have stopped me from running in 2009, they could not have stopped me in the fields. I would have carried on with my running; it doesn't matter. When I run I feel free, my mind is free.
Athletics is athletics. When you do sport, you are gambling. You run, you win, you lose. It doesn't matter if you are competing or you are not competing.
I am of the firm view that there is no impediment to me competing in athletics competitions.
I don't have rights. Let's put it this way: in athletics, I don't have rights.
People are always asking me for pictures, signing autographs, everywhere I go. Before, it used to irritate me, but I've learned to handle the situation. I cannot run away unless I lock myself in my room and never go out.
It's good to be well known. Everywhere I go it's the same thing - autographs, pictures.
Some of the occurrences leading up to and immediately following the Berlin World Championships have infringed not only my rights as an athlete but also my fundamental and human rights, including my rights to dignity and privacy.
It's always great to perform, make the podium, and yeah, gold, silver, and bronze, will also encourage other nations, Asia, America to do better.
I've never bought my own clothes - my mum buys them for me.
I don't drink gases, like Coke - just juice and water, and I don't drink alcohol.
I am an athlete first and foremost, and it is vital for my competitiveness, my well being, and for my preparations for events during the European summer that I measure my performance against other athletes.
If I win gold, I will dedicate it to Nelson Mandela. He is a hero in South Africa, and everything I do, I do for him.
I am a dreamer. And what I dream of is to become Olympic champion, world champion, world record holder.
With each year I experience, I become more relaxed. I know now what is important to listen to and what to ignore. You only get that with age.
We all know that we Africans just win medals in middle and long distance, and walking in their footsteps makes me feel proud, you know.
I think I have made a difference. I have meant a lot to my people. I have done well. They are proud of me. And that was the main focus. I was doing it for my people, the people who support me.
I want to give myself new challenges. I want to get better.
I'm the kind of person who doesn't really focus on more negativity. I'm a positive person, and I look at things in a positive way.
How the hell can you change gender in the rural areas? I am a woman. We don't have good doctors; we are not rich to do such procedures.
