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The 400 meters, also known as the “long sprint,” is a grueling run. Only elite athletes make it the distance and even fewer win the gold in the event.

Amantle Montsho is one of those prized sportsmen…well, sportswoman who has mastered the feat. She hails from a rural village in Botswana, Africa. The 29-year-old trains everyday, to sharpen her skills and hone her craft.

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To be an Olympian is rare in Montsho’s town. She is trying to be the first from the area to wear the treasured metal around her neck.

She came up short in a recent run. Her face baring all the signs of exhaustion and defeat. She finished second, .23 seconds behind her opponent.

“I won’t change anything,” said Montsho. “I just have to improve my speed.

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She is about to head into the London Olympics and it ill be her biggest test to date! Here’s 3 facts about Amantle Montsho before she makes he big debut:

3.

Montsho is a two-time African Championships gold medallist over 400 m, she has also won titles in the event at the 2007 All-Africa Games, the 2010 IAAF Continental Cup and the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Her Commonwealth win made her Botswana’s first ever gold medallist of the games.

2.

Her personal best times are 11.60 seconds in the 100 m, 22.94 seconds in the 200 meters and 49.56 seconds in the 400 m.

1.

She has competed at the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in 2005 and 2007 without reaching the finals.

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