WEEK 6
Date: September 4
Ready to run before 110,000 people
This the final entry for my pre-Olympics diary. By the time you read this, I'll be settling into the holding camp on the Gold Coast in Australia. I can't wait to get there.
My last race before leaving Europe did not go according to plan. Indeed, it was a shocker.
After the great race I had in Monaco the week before, I developed a minor medical problem and the medication prescribed affected my performance; it was like a deep physical fatigue, as indicated on the instruction leaflet.
The result of the race was, however, a blessing in disguise, helping to take the immediate pressure off me as a medal contender in Sydney.
Beyhond that small setback, all is going well. Once I'd come off the medicine, my body started to get back to its best form - so don't write me off just yet!
I watched the athletics back in Britain on the television. It was good to see some of the sport's big names competing in Britain - even if they do get soundly beaten! I'm referring to our own Dwain Chambers and his victory over Maurice Greene, the American who is favourite for the 100m title in Sydney.
For me, the highlight of the Gateshead meeting was seeing Donna Fraser back to her best. With Kathryn Merry and Donna as the backbone of the 4x400 metres squad, our girls have an outside shot at the medals in Sydney.
I've been working really hard this week. It will take me a few days to acclimatise here in Brisbane, and shake off the long flight.
It's like a dream to be here at the Olympic Games. I'm expecting somebody to shake me and wake me up. I can't even begin to imagine what it's going to be like running in front of 110,000 people! I'll let you know how it felt on the other side of the race....
Before leaving Britain I did my final bit of work for the people who help to foot my bills - Nike. They had a British flag made for me with the words "The Rotherham Rocket" printed on it. I have brought it to Australia with me and hope to carry it round on my victory lap. I hope you get to see it.
And with that thought, I'll say goodbye. Whatever happens, I hope TeamGB can count on the support of evceryone in Britain, and I hope everyone will appreciate the amount of work that has gone into getting to the Games. On one level, it is the taking part, and not the winning, that really counts. In one way, all Olympic team members are winners.
Find out how Chris and the rest of the British team fare by registering for our e-mail bulletin, a daily update of all the highlights of the Games on a daily basis.
Read Chris's diary for WEEK 1 ...
Go back to Athletes' Diaries page
