American sprinter English Gardner took some time to talk to NBCOlympics.com ahead of the start of the Games in Rio, Brazil, next week.
However, Gardner, who is the U.S. Olympic Team Trials women’s 100m champion this year and the second fastest women over the event this season, was put in a more entertaining environment, rather than the customary serious hard-hitting training and competition atmosphere.
In there getting to know the athletes quick Q&A, NBCOlympics.com asked Gardner, the first-time Olympian five fun questions to get to know the sprint star a little more.
The 24-year-old ran a personal best time of 10.74 seconds to win the American title in Eugene, Ore., last month and will head to Rio 2016 as a very strong medal contender in the women’s 100m.
Gardner, however, will have to deal with the likes of world-leader and Jamaican champion Elaine Thompson, compatriot and two-time defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, European champion and world 200m gold medallist Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands, as well as Ivory Coast African star Murielle Ahoure.
So here are the questions and answered in the fun session with between NBCOlympics.com and Gardner
Favorite musician?
Lauryn Hill
Personal motto?
I can’t lose. In everything I do!
If you were not an athlete, what would you like to be doing?
I would most likely be trying to pursue my singing career.
What would people be surprised to learn about training for the Olympics?
That it doesn’t start the year of the Olympics. It’s the years before that prepare you for it.
What does a typical day of eating look like during training?
I am a person who can barely keep weight on. My issue is getting the right amount of calories to sustain weight.
Rio 2016 gets under way on Wednesday, Aug. 3, with the track and field portion of the Games get going on Aug. 12 and will run through Aug. 21. Gardner, Tori Bowie and Tianna Bartoletta will represent Team USA in the women’s 100m at the Olympics.
