Status:  Two-time Olympic champion in 200 meters.

DOB: May 15, 1982 In: Trelawny, Jamaica

Track Inspirations: “I would say Merlene Ottey. She’s a great athlete and I always just watched and admired her.”

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “I like to read, listen to music and watch TV. I don’t do any other sports besides track. I do a little bowling sometimes.”

Favorite Movies: “I don’t really have any favorites, I think it just depends on the movies that are out at the time. So I don’t really have any favorites.”

Favorite TV Show: “I like to watch comedy, a lot of comedies.”

Musical Tastes: “I really like reggae but I listen to a little of everything. Bob Marley – he’s a great inspiration to me also. Mariah Carey.”

Last Book Read: “My book (“A Better You, Inspirations For Life’s Journey”). I read it again. I needed some inspiration, so.”

First Job: “Actually, I never worked before, besides being a professional athlete.”

First Car: “[Laughs] Ford Escord – silver.”

Pre-Race Feeling: “I’m always nervous. And I always just try to be confident. And just have a positive mind. But I’m always nervous. Just cannot wait to get the race over with. It’s a business when you’re on the track. Sometimes things happen around me but I don’t see because it’s business. It is your business in the race to beat her, so there are no friends on the track. Off the track but not on the track. Everybody want to win. And the person that is more mentally focused – most of the time – is gonna be the one to cross the finish line first. So it’s business.”

Early Track Memory: “When I first started in track I normally get beat. I didn’t start out winning. I remember in high school, it wasn’t until my second to last year in high school when I really started to win almost all my races every time I run. I just stayed confident and just kept working hard.”

Favorite Meal: “Ackee and saltfish, dumplings. It’s Jamaican national dish.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Rum raisin – off-season [smiles]. Not able to eat during season. Off-season it’s gotta be rum raisin [smiles].”

Greatest Sports Moment: “I think that came after Beijing, going into the Olympic Games as defending (200 meter) champion – and to win with a super time (21.74). And also to become the second-fastest woman in history, has been great. And right now it’s my most memorable Olympic moment.”

Most Painful Moment: “Hmmm. I cannot recall a painful moment. Because whenever something happens, I just look at it as, it was meant to happen. It’s just part of life.”

Funny Track Memory: “Not that I can recall right now. My group – it’s always fun being in my group. Because we normally make a lot of jokes off each other. Basically, everybody in my group if funny, from my agent right down to every athlete. We just try to be happy every time we’re together.”

Childhood Dream: “When I was growing up I wanted to be an accounts teacher but my dream was always to win an Olympic gold medal in either the one or the two.”

Favorite Places To Compete: “It’s always fun competing where there are a lot of Jamaicans because they just give you the energy, that drive, the motivation to run fast. They are so energetic when cheering for me. So I always like competing in front of Jamaicans. I like to compete in the U.K., Jamaica and New York.”

Most Memorable Race: “I would say it was the 200 meters in Beijing. It was a perfect race. I executed well, maintained my form well. It was a great race.”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Merlene Ottey. I watch a lot of athletes, especially in sprints. Because the more you watch other people compete, the more you learn. So I just admire a lot of people. I like the Williams sisters. Kobe, LeBron and Shaq. Muhammad Ali, though he’s retired now. And his daughter Laila has a really good career so I admire her also.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Kindness, good-hearted people.”

Ht: 5-6 Wt: 95.

DOB: June 8, 1985 In: Chefe village, Arsi, Ethiopia

Running Inspirations: “There were a lot of athletes that I admired but in particular I can think of Derartu (Tulu – her cousin) and Haile (Gebreselassie).”

Hobbies/Interests: “I watch movies and I also go to churches.”

Musical Tastes: “Lots of American music [smiles]. Ethiopian music, Ethiopian folk singers, Teddy Afro.”

First Running Memory: “I started athletics when I was 14.”

Nicknames:  Tiru, The Baby-Faced Destroyer.

Early Running Memory: “The six kilometer I did in my hometown, that’s what I remember. (How old were you and what place?) I was 15 and I was second.”

First Job: “Athlete.”

First Car: “I got a BMW 750 (black).”

Pre-Race Feeling: “My feeling is to win. Or be a very good competitor in the race.”

Favorite Meal: “Injera – it’s traditional Ethiopian bread.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate and strawberry [smiles].”

Greatest Sports Moment: “When I got the 5 and 10,000 (meters at 2008 Olympics in Beijing). That was the greatest moment.”

Most Painful Moment: “When I lost the Golden League in Berlin to (countrywoman and rival) Meseret Defar. (If Tirunesh had won that sixth and final event of the Golden League, she would have earned a portion of the $1,000,000 jackpot for winning all six events of Golden League.)”

Embarrassing Career Memory: “None [smiles].”

Favorite Athletes To Watch: “I watch a lot of sports. In particular I like soccer. And when it comes to athletics, I watch every event. (Any particular favorite athletes?) 100 meters men and Sanya Richards in 400.”

Family: Husband, Sileshi Sihine.

People Qualities Most Admired: “To see people equally.”

Career Accomplishments: 2004 Olympic bronze medalist in 5000m – youngest Ethiopian to win an Olympic medal; Also won world championships in the 10,000 event (2007, 2005) and the 5,000 (2005, 2003).