(Law LLB, 2019)
Winning the Olympic Gold is probably the highest thing to achieve on the totem pole of achievements but I try to not see it as 'career highs' as such. As every medal has its own story. It’s nice to have a career which is like an adventure where, you just have a real combination and mix of different things that have happened, be it good or bad.
Can you tell us a bit about what you are up to now in terms of your life and career?I am currently working as a paralegal for Squire Patton Boggs.
You announced your official retirement from competitive athletics in 2018, however, we imagine that being an athlete is so ingrained into your being. How did you find this transition and are there any aspects of your former routine that you still put into practice today?I’m quite lucky that when I had retired, I was already in the middle of a degree. My degree was completed in 2019. It was at this point that I felt the full force of not being an athlete, not studying, and not having anything. For the most part, I embraced not having instruction for the first time in my life. I was able to do whatever I wanted; no studying, no training, no routine, and it was nice. I had the best summer ever. I went on holiday. I was able to just be, and it was nice. But, I realised that I am a creature of habit, and I did long for those things I did while being an athlete. While I was studying, I did really yearn for some structure. So, I brought the structure back in and made sure I was honouring some kind of fitness program; I did a Park Run every Saturday morning, I was still trying to get to the track, I was still enjoying my circuits, I picked up Salsa dancing, I do pole fitness, I have a pair of roller skates, I have two bikes, I’ve started skiing, so, I still remain pretty active. The physical element of being an athlete is something I think will always remain with me. I like the idea of structure and routine, so I have built that into my life as well. I try to get up at the same time every morning. Obviously, because I want to go into a legal career, I need to keep some relative levels of routine.
I’m one of 8 kids and I think that being one of eight kids means that I already have my approval from them. I love my family and everything I do is for my family. So, if I’m ok in their eyes, then, I’m ok. They keep me grounded.
How have you kept your passion for sport and athletics alive since hanging up your running shoes?In addition to above, on the physical side I still try to do a lot of stuff. I love having loads of energy. I love being out and about. I love being outside. I love being at the track. I love being around athletes. I just love being active. I come from a big family, and everyone is active most of the time. Whenever I can get all of them together, we go to the park or the track. Last week, we all went to do a hill session. I was rubbish! (laughing) They whooped me and half of them don’t even train. And they still beat me. Majorly embarrassing, but it’s cool, I told them it was my knees that were hurting.
I still try to keep involved in track by talking to the athletes. I keep abreast of all the news and any developments. I did some work for UKA at one point and so I am still very much involved in the sport. I like to know what’s going on. I’m looking forward to having a more substantial relationship with the sport as time goes on.
As a 22-year-old, at the critical peak of your career, you faced a suspension and false doping allegations. In recent years, you have been more vocal about correcting the misinformation that was circulated by the media. At the time, how did you manage to overcome such intense scrutiny and pressure in order to forge ahead and continue with your career in athletics?It was a very, very difficult time but I really did believe in myself and what I was saying. I was really distressed by the betrayal of my story. In my opinion, the only way I could correct it was by doing what I could do best, which was to run and to run quick. And to stand by myself and my belief. That was the best way I did it, which was to focus. I remember at the time thinking, instead of saying “why did this happen to me”, I could say well, it could have happened to anybody. It just so happened to be me. That kind of took the sting out of what happened and made me realise, this could have happened to anyone, and it was just unfortunate. It was an opportunity for me to show people how to deal with negative situations by not being a negative person but by doing the best they can do at what they can do and leaving the rest to figure itself out. I couldn’t control what I couldn’t control. I could control turning up to training every day. I was quite fortunate; I had a good team around me. I had people that were just quite keen to see me be happy and to get on with training and be as good as I can. The biggest force I had was my coach. He made me turn up to training every day and didn’t allow me to feel sorry for myself. Even though, maybe at times I wanted to feel sorry for myself, he didn’t allow that to happen. I was quite prepared to do the work because he wanted me to do the work even though I didn’t feel like doing it most of the time. He kept me focused on training and reminding me of my talent. And he reminded me that there was a big world out there that I could conquer if I kept my head focused on my job.
What have been some of your career highs and can you put into words how you felt during each of these moments?Obviously, winning the Olympic Gold is probably the highest thing to achieve on the totem pole of achievements but I try to not see it as 'career highs' as such. As every medal has its own story. It’s nice to have a career which is like an adventure where, you just have a real combination and mix of different things that have happened, be it good or bad. There have been many highs, not just in medal wins; like the highs of being able to travel, highs of training in amazing place throughout the world and creating great friendships with people who will be in my life forever. Highs of having my family be able to walk to the stadium for London 2012, when previously we could only afford to fly two people out to Beijing to watch me compete. There have been really great highs with London 2012. I didn’t win the gold medal, it was a silver, but it was one of the greatest moments of my life being able to compete in my back garden. A story that I could not have even written myself. I never would have thought of as a kid competing in my hometown. I didn’t even like my hometown growing up, so to end up winning an Olympic medal where I grew up was quite awesome. I try not to think of my career as highs and lows, more like I’ve been on one amazing journey. A journey where I really evolved, developed, and attained real riches as a person. That’s something I like to remember.
Throughout your career as an athlete, what or who kept you motivated to keep pushing yourself to be the best version of yourself?Throughout my career, what kept me motivated to perform and achieve was that I had an understanding that I was granted an amazing gift and talent and I really wanted to enjoy seeing how far I could take it. That’s what it really boiled down to. A lot of people have visions from when they were young being an Olympic medalist, or standing on a podium, or being here or there, but for me, I just wanted to see how far I could push myself. It was a very simple concept to me, and I didn’t want to make it any more complicated than that. I almost felt like it was an obligation to push myself to see how far I could go, because not everyone has the same talent or the same skillset. When you have been granted and blessed with something that’s amazing as being able to run and run fast, you really want to see how far you can take that.
In previous interviews, you have spoken about belonging to another generation in the sense that you simply work hard for the joy of it and to reap the rewards on a personal level – not to gain gratification or approval from others, or for likes/a following on social media. How do you reconcile your ‘public image’ with trying to stay true to your personal principles and values?It’s part of my psychology. It’s part of my personality. I’m one of 8 kids and I think that being one of eight kids means that I already have my approval from them. I love my family and everything I do is for my family. So, if I’m ok in their eyes, then, I’m ok. They keep me grounded. There is a sense of empowerment that comes from just being content and not wanting to keep wishing your life away or wishing your being away by wanting to be someone else or seeking approval from someone else. There is something quite powerful about being able to stand on your own two feet and be fine with that. And be ok in your space. I think that is really what has kept me focused and grounded and helped me to navigate this tumultuous world where we are being bombarded all the time by images and other people’s stories, and the belief that you ‘have to’ be someone else, enjoy something else other than what you are. I think coming from a big family has helped me stay grounded and focused. You don’t always have to keep seeking approval as long as you’re ok and you’re fine as you are, then that is all that matters. I’m willing to keep standing by that
Having spent years as an athlete, winning the top prizes at numerous international competitions, including the Olympics and with a degree under your belt already, what made you want to study Law at Queen Mary?There are a couple of reasons why I wanted to study Law at Queen Mary’s. Queen Mary were offering the Law Senior Status program and it suited my needs at the time. And logistically it was perfect for me, as Queen Mary is in Mile End, I could still train, while I did my degree.
Do you have any particularly fond memories from your time at Queen Mary? What was the best thing about being a student here?I have some fond memories from my time at Queen Mary. I really enjoyed being a part of the law faculty. I enjoyed my time with the students. I enjoyed our small groups. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take part in the social element of student life because I didn’t have time. I enjoyed the experience for what it was and enjoyed being back at school, because I was learning. I’m a secret nerd. I love reading and I love studying and law was just a great opportunity to sharpen my brain and do something different and challenging. Queen Mary’s helped me on the way.
If you would like to get in touch with Christine or engage them in your work, please contact the Alumni Engagement team at alumni@qmul.ac.uk.