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Ohuruogu eager to inspire new generation of Olympic champions
Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu is taking her responsibilities as a role model seriously – even if some officials still have doubts about her suitability to be the poster girl for London 2012.
Ohuruogu had to overturn a British Olympic Association bylaw just to be able to compete in Beijing after serving a year-long ban for missing three drugs tests.
That whole episode won Ohuruogu few friends, but she put it behind her to complete an historic gold medal double by adding the Olympic crown to her 2007 world title.
Many argue Ohuruogu would make the ideal face of London 2012 given her gold medal success in Beijing and the fact she was brought up in the shadow of the newly-emerging Olympic site.
Others struggle to look beyond her tainted past.
But Ohuruogu wants to inspire the next generation and, since completing her famous victory over American favourite Sanya Richards, she has met with hundreds of school-children.
"I have been to quite a few schools and my gold medal has been held by loads of kids. That is what is important to me because those are the guys who will really look up to us," she said.
Ohuruogu has been lapping up the public adulation since she returned from the Olympics – because it is not something she is used to.
Two weekends ago she received a warm welcome on the pitch at Upton Park during half-time in a West Ham game.
And yesterday's parade through her home city gave Ohuruogu a glimpse of what London will be like when the Olympics arrive on her doorstep in four years.
"I never expected the parade to be anything like this," she said.
"I think people really appreciate what we have done and it is really nice to know that your hard work has not gone in vain and that people recognise your efforts.
"I have never had that kind of ovation before. It is nice to give some people to smile about. People stop you in the street and say congratulations, which is really nice."
Ohuruogu is still enjoying some time off and does not plan to return to training until at least November. She is yet to finalise her plans for next season.
She said: "I will start training when I feel like it. It is a long year so you have to make sure when you start training you are ready to go."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
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