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Sada Williams of Barbados is the reigning Commonwealth champion for the women’s 400m and also won bronze at the last two editions of the World Championships.

Williams is among the favourites for Olympic gold in Paris but, when she isn’t racing, she’s not someone who seeks the spotlight.

In a rare interview, she explains how being the centre of attention is not her thing – and that extends to her gold medal winning moment on the podium at the Commonwealth Games. As happy as she was, she was thankful when the anthem ended and the whole stadium stopped focussing exclusively on her.

Williams shares how she has suffered from anxiety in her career, and some of the strategies she’s used to overcome that – including no longer following what her opponents are doing. In fact, she barely follows track and field at all when she’s not actually at a meet or a championships.

Plus, as reigning Commonwealth champion, she expresses her hope that the 2022 Games in Birmingham don’t turn out to be the last.

Photo: Sada Williams of Barbados following the women's 400m hurdles finals during day five of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023. (Credit: Getty Images)