Sanya Richards and boyfriend Aaron Ross shows off engagement ring (© Errol Anderson)
Sanya Richards, the 2006 World Athlete of the Year, last year cruised to her second consecutive IAAF Golden League Jackpot victory. Splitting her off-season between New Jersey – her boyfriend Aaron Ross plays for the NFL’s New York Giants – and Austin, the 22-year-old American 400m record holder is now firmly focused on Beijing, and is at her training base in Austin full-time.
Richards now catches us up on what she’s been doing since she resumed training in early November. Among the highlights was her marriage proposal which was broadcast on national television. (She said yes.)
“This was my most exciting Holiday season yet! I went on vacation to Jamaica, I got to spend a lot of time in the Big Apple, I travelled for different sponsorship appearances, but most exciting of them all was [Aaron] Ross' proposal on December 15th before the [NFL Washington] Redskins game. Definitely the highlight of my holidays!!!”
Did she take time the holidays off?
“I went for runs on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. I think this has been the easiest year to find motivation on those days as all I can think about is going to Beijing!”
Off the track...
“I have been really busy off the track with my new sponsors. I've been to Atlanta for a shoot with Coke, where I met some other amazing athletes – [gymnast] Shawn Johnson, [swimmer] Natalie Coughlin and [triathlete] Andy Potts. I've been to Hershey, Pennsylvania with the Hershey company and I've done shoots for Nike, AT&T, Q-Ray, and Nutrilite.”
“Most recently I rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq and it was incredible. The CEO, Robert Greifeld, was really incredible and is a huge track fan. I was overwhelmed with how involved he is in the sport of track and field and how much he knew about a lot of the top athletes.”
On her 2008 season preparation...
“Right now I am trying to get as strong as I can, both on the track and in the weight room. It's going to be a long season and this is where you lay the foundation to be able to compete at a high level all season. I'm really focused on being better at this time in the year than I've ever been.”
“I learned last season not to take anything for granted. My health played a big part in my results last season and I realize now how important it is to listen to your body. I am doing everything I can to stay on top of my health and prepare for a healthy 2008.”
On her early competitive schedule...
“I just had my first meeting with my coach [Clyde Hart] and manager about my tentative schedule and although it is still rough, I'm thinking I will open up on March 22nd at the Dr. Pepper meet in Waco with a 4x4 relay leg or with a 200m race at the small meet at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). If not I will definitely run at the Texas Relays and Penn Relays and run my first 400m race at the next meet in Waco on April 19th or in Jamaica on May 9th.”
“My number one goal for 2008 is to make the Olympic team and go for the gold at 400m. If the schedule would have allowed for the 200/400 double it would have just been icing on the cake. I wouldn't have changed my training for it. So now that we know it is impossible I don't have to change much I can just stay focused solely on my primary goal.”
Click here for Sanya’s previous diary