Caroline Buchanan

A female professional athlete has to have the whole package, as opposed to a guy who can just be good at sport. You have to have a job or go to uni or do three sports instead of one, you have to be a standout.

I've got to know my strength and weaknesses and the same for my competitors.

I definitely thrive off adversity. I know it's always up from there.

BMX is never over until the finish line, and I am always trying to challenge myself for that world stage.

You never hold back. If I turn up to the track and feel cautious or not committed, I turn around and go home. If you don't have that full commitment when you're pedaling into a 40-foot jump, there's not much room for error, and you'll come off worse.

If I had to work a 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. job in the public service, I'd freak out.

At the end of the day, I'm riding a little kid's bike around a track; that's what I've done for as long as I can remember. Now it's just on a bigger stage at the Olympics.

I am just this small-town Canberra girl that's taken riding a little kid's bike on dirt tracks to the highest level.

The biggest thing I've learnt is not to limit myself by the norm or what I should be doing.

There were times when I was down and frustrated being in a male-dominated sport: you don't get the support. It affected me. Layne Beachley helped me beat that. That was the difference for me and helped get me through.

I like pressure. Diamonds are made under pressure, and I definitely enjoy it.

It's an honour to be a world champion, and it can never be taken away from you.