Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith

It’s nice to see people who want to take a picture with me, who want to become like me. But I tell them they should not want to become like me, rather greater than me.

Young people sometimes like an easy life. But there are two things. Either you just want to do athletics or you want to leave a legacy. If you want to leave a legacy, you have to make sacrifices in your life.

I have been struggling after the Olympics. I didn't want to continue my season. But I did. It’s not always about winning, it's about not giving up, about giving your best every day, every time you pursue your dreams.

Rio gave me self-confidence, experience and motivation to return to training and work hard.

And people around me said, 'You are from Africa, I don't think you will become someone. I want you to continue your studies, to work in an office'. But I felt it, because I like to run so much. This is my way.

I am trying to think of me a lot this year, take care of myself and enjoy the moment…So one more race in New York and then I am off finally for honeymoon.

I just want to enjoy every competition and not pressure myself with thoughts like, ‘Oh, I need to run because I need the money or something else.

I want to be the greatest sprinter in Africa.

When I started, my mother didn't want me to do it.

And the next day you see me smiling, you don't know what I'm going through because I tell myself, ‘People have other bigger problems than me.

Athletics is who I am today. Before, I didn’t love myself like that. With athletics, I see another part of me. It’s the only way to show what I can do.

I wake up every morning and I am in good health, so I’m not going to complain about money.

I am just here trying to beat my personal best, and the rest will come.

I want to leave a big legacy. Not only for Ivorian girls, but for all African girls. I want to show that they can do something big if they believe in themselves.

My results at the 2012 African Championships had made me realise that I had the potential to become an elite sprinter. Things did not work out for me [at the University] and I decided to return to Cote d'Ivoire.