Friday 24 March 2017 12:32, UK
The Rio Olympics is just over six months away and the pressure on the Sky Academy Sports Scholars is building.
Having already qualified, 800m runner Mark English faces different challenges in the build-up to his summer's activities.
So how does the 22-year-old Irish star feel about the Games, what will be in his suitcase when packing for Brazil and how is he staying calm?
Here are Mark's thoughts.....
1. WITH SIX MONTHS TO GO, SUM UP YOUR FEELINGS IN THREE WORDS
Thirsty. Confident. Eager
2. WHO IS YOUR OLYMPIC HERO AND WHY?
There are lots of athletes I aspire to be like. Included are a lot of the British and Irish middle distance athletes throughout the 80s and 90s, including our own Eamonn Coghlan.
More recently, athletes like Andre Bucher from Switzerland have shown that Europeans are capable of winning world 800m titles and he gives me great inspiration.
3. WHAT DOES THE OLYMPICS TRULY MEAN TO YOU?
It's an opportunity to showcase to the world the years of dedication to my sport. I will feel very privileged and proud to don the green vest of Ireland in the largest sporting event in the world.
To me, it's an event that brings together people from all nations simply for their sheer love and excitement of watching raw competition.
There's a certain spine tingle that you get whenever the Olympics are even mentioned and I'm very much looking forward to it.
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION?
Genetic freak, individualised and evidence based training plan, and determination to stay focused consistently.
5. WHAT ARE THE 3 MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS YOU WILL PACK FOR BRAZIL?
Same as always: Wallet. Passport. Spikes
6. THERE ARE AROUND 268,000 MINUTES BEFORE RIO. WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR YOU IN THAT TIME?
Staying injury and illness free. Accumulating race confidence. Staying focused in training.
7. HOW DO YOU TRY TO STAY CALM WHEN THINKING ABOUT THE OLYMPICS?
Thankfully I've already qualified. I think the big challenge will be to avoid being emotional when I step into the Olympic stadium.
I'll need to treat it like any other race and focus on running my splits.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS..............
JAN 16 - MARCH 5: Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Australia
JAN 23 - FEB 1: Savannah Marshall, training camp in USA
JAN: Lucy Garner, in Australia for start of road cycling season
FEB 3-5: Jack Bateson, Bocskai tournament in Hungary
FEB 3: Mark English, racing in Dusseldorf
FEB 4: Rio Olympics - 6 months to go
FEB 6-7: Elise Christie, World Cup in Dresden
FEB 13-19: Quillan Isidore, training camp in Zolder, Belgium
