For years, Sanya Richards-Ross had been one of the most accomplished names in American track and field without possessing the one individual prize she wanted most: an Olympic gold medal in the 400 meters.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Richards-Ross moved to the United States with her family at age 12 and eventually became one of the world's premier quarter-milers. Her journey included a gold medal as part of the U.S. 4x400-meter relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics, a bronze in the individual 400 meters at Beijing in 2008, multiple World Championship medals and an American record in the 400 meters.

But London represented something different.

At 27, Richards-Ross entered the 2012 Olympic Games with experience, expectations and unfinished business. Eight years after her Olympic debut, she was determined to turn years of preparation and disappointment into the moment she had envisioned since childhood.

And on August 5, 2012, she did exactly that.

Richards-Ross crossed the finish line in 49.55 seconds, becoming the first American woman in 28 years — and only the second in history — to win the Olympic 400-meter title.

Before and around the London Games, Richards-Ross spoke openly about her journey, representing the United States, dealing with Olympic pressure and what it meant to finally have another opportunity at the sport's biggest stage.

REPRESENTING AMERICA

Houston Style Magazine: You were born in Jamaica but have represented the United States throughout your international career. What does representing America mean to you?

Sanya Richards-Ross: It means a lot to me. I came to the United States when I was 12 years old, and I had the opportunity to grow up here, go to school here and develop as an athlete here. I feel very fortunate for everything this country has given me.

At the same time, I never forget where I came from. Jamaica is always going to be a huge part of who I am. My roots are very important to me, and I'm proud to be Jamaican-born.

But when I put on that USA uniform, I feel a tremendous amount of pride. I feel like I'm representing my family, the people who helped me get here and everyone who has supported me along the way.

Richards-Ross had previously explained that she chose to compete for the United States as a teenager after moving to Florida and becoming increasingly connected to the country and the University of Texas, where she would eventually become a collegiate star.

THE OLYMPIC DREAM

Houston Style Magazine: When did becoming an Olympian become a real dream for you?

Sanya Richards-Ross: I've wanted to go to the Olympics for a very long time. I started running when I was seven, and growing up in Jamaica, track and field is such a huge part of the culture. When the Olympics came around, everybody watched.

I remember being very young and thinking, "I want to be there one day."

When I moved to the United States, that dream didn't disappear. It actually became something I could work toward in a very serious way.

By the time I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to see how far I could take this.

LEARNING FROM BEIJING

Houston Style Magazine: You came away from Beijing in 2008 with a bronze medal in the 400 meters. How did that experience affect you?

Sanya Richards-Ross: Beijing was definitely difficult. I went into those Games believing I could win, and obviously finishing third was disappointing.

But I also learned a lot from that experience.

You realize that the Olympics aren't just about being physically prepared. There's an emotional and mental side to it that you have to deal with. You have to be able to handle the pressure and still execute when it matters.

I think every experience I've had has prepared me for where I am now.

World Athletics' contemporaneous account of London noted that Beijing had been especially painful because Richards-Ross had entered that period as a leading contender but finished third behind Christine Ohuruogu and Shericka Williams.

THE PRESSURE OF LONDON

Houston Style Magazine: Coming into London, did you feel like there was more pressure because you had already been so close?

Sanya Richards-Ross: Absolutely. But I've learned that you can't allow the pressure to consume you.

You have to respect the moment, but you also have to trust your preparation.

I've spent years training for this. I've had great races and I've had races that didn't go the way I wanted them to. I've learned from all of those experiences.

So when I get to London, I have to remind myself that I know how to run. I know how to compete. I know what I've prepared for.

At some point you have to let go and race.

THE MENTAL GAME

Houston Style Magazine: How important is the mental side of track and field?

Sanya Richards-Ross: It's huge.

People see the race and they see 50 seconds, but they don't see everything that goes into those 50 seconds.

There are so many hours of training, preparation, recovery and mental work. You have to be able to visualize yourself succeeding and believe that you belong in that position.

I've worked with a sports psychologist, and I've learned that the mind can either be your greatest asset or your biggest obstacle.

I try to focus on the things I can control.

VISUALIZING THE FINISH

Houston Style Magazine: Do you visualize yourself winning before you race?

Sanya Richards-Ross: I definitely visualize. I think it's important to see yourself accomplishing what you want.

But visualization isn't enough by itself. You have to put in the work.

I can visualize winning every day, but if I don't train, if I don't recover and if I don't prepare, the visualization doesn't mean anything.

For me, it's about combining the mental preparation with the physical preparation.

WHEN THE GUN GOES OFF

Houston Style Magazine: What's going through your mind when you're standing on the starting line?

Sanya Richards-Ross: Honestly, I'm trying to stay calm.

You've done all the work. At that point, you can't go back and do another workout. You can't change anything.

You just have to trust yourself.

I try to stay focused on my race and not get caught up in what everybody else is doing. The 400 is such a demanding race that you have to execute your own strategy.

Once the gun goes off, it's about competing.

WANTING THAT INDIVIDUAL GOLD

Houston Style Magazine: You've already experienced Olympic success as part of the 4x400 relay. Why is the individual gold medal so important?

Sanya Richards-Ross: The relay gold was an incredible experience, and I'll always be grateful for that.

But every athlete wants to know what they can accomplish individually.

I've spent so many years running the 400 meters and working toward becoming the best that I can be. Winning an individual Olympic gold medal would represent all of those years of work.

It's not just about a medal.

It's about knowing that everything you sacrificed and everything you went through led to that moment.

FAITH AND FAMILY

Houston Style Magazine: Who has been your biggest support system throughout this journey?

Sanya Richards-Ross: My family has been incredible.

My parents have always believed in me. They've sacrificed so much for me and my sister. They've been there through the good races and the bad races.

My faith is also very important to me. There have been moments when things didn't go the way I wanted, and I had to trust that there was a bigger plan.

My husband, Aaron, has also been an incredible source of support.

Richards-Ross and NFL defensive back Aaron Ross had married in 2010 after meeting as student-athletes at the University of Texas. During the 2012 Olympics, Aaron traveled to London to support her, with the Jaguars organization allowing him to leave training camp to attend the Games.

THE POWER OF REPRESENTATION

Houston Style Magazine: What does it mean to you to be a role model, particularly for young Black girls who may see you competing?

Sanya Richards-Ross: It's a responsibility that I don't take lightly.

When I was growing up, I wanted to see people who looked like me doing great things. I wanted to believe that certain things were possible.

If a young girl sees me and thinks, "I can do that," then that's powerful.

I want young women to understand that they can be strong, feminine, ambitious and successful at the same time.

You don't have to fit into one box.

MORE THAN AN ATHLETE

Houston Style Magazine: You've become known for more than just your performances on the track. How important is fashion and personal style to you?

Sanya Richards-Ross: I love fashion.

I don't believe being an athlete means you can't be feminine or enjoy fashion and beauty. Those are things that I enjoy.

I think it's important to feel good about yourself.

When I feel good, I perform well. It's all connected for me.

Richards-Ross's interest in fashion was well documented around the London Games. In a September 2012 interview, she discussed her love of Chanel, her Olympic earrings and the relationship between looking good, feeling good and competing well.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE ATHLETE

Houston Style Magazine: Do you think people sometimes forget there's a person behind the athlete?

Sanya Richards-Ross: Definitely.

People see the medals and the records, but they don't necessarily see the sacrifices.

They don't see the days when you're tired or injured. They don't see the disappointment when you don't perform the way you wanted to.

That's why I try to appreciate every part of the journey.

The victories are wonderful, but the difficult moments teach you just as much.

LOOKING AHEAD

Houston Style Magazine: If you accomplish your goal in London, what's next?

Sanya Richards-Ross: I want to continue to get better.

I don't think you ever stop setting goals as an athlete.

I want to continue running fast. I want to continue challenging myself and seeing how much I can accomplish.

But right now, I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself.

London is the goal.

That's where my focus is.

A GOLDEN MOMENT

The dream that had followed Sanya Richards-Ross from Jamaica to the United States, through Athens and Beijing, finally became reality in London.

On August 5, 2012, she stepped onto the track for the women's 400-meter final with years of expectation behind her.

The race was not without adversity. Richards-Ross later described having to remain patient after not getting the exact race she wanted through the early stages. But she dug deep over the final 100 meters and crossed the line first in 49.55 seconds.

The moment represented more than a gold medal.

It was the culmination of an eight-year Olympic journey.

After finishing third in Beijing, Richards-Ross had returned to the Olympic stage determined to write a different ending.

This time, there would be no wondering what might have been.

There would be gold.

And as she celebrated with the American flag wrapped around her, she shared the moment with the people who had been there from the beginning — her family, her husband and the team that helped carry her through the years of preparation.

The Olympic dream that began when she was a child in Jamaica had finally become reality.

Sanya Richards-Ross was an Olympic champion.