Jeremiah Azu: Wales’ fastest man chasing medals and memories in Paris

Azu grew up in a Christian household in Rumney, just outside Cardiff. His family lead a weekly service and Azu is heavily involved.

After securing his place at the Olympic Games on a Saturday evening in Manchester, he was back singing in church with his family in Cardiff on the Sunday morning.

He credits his family for giving him what he needs to get to where he is today.

“In athletics you really need certain skills to go far,” he explained to BBC Sport Wales.

“[My family] have instilled discipline in me, they’ve instilled humility in me. I think these two things can take you really far in athletics.

“We all have talent to run fast but when you’re on the line and the pressure’s there, it’s the ones you’re doing it for. It’s the why. And I think I have a stronger why than most people of why I want to win.

“Having them behind me is all the reason why it’s extra special.”

The Azu family – who moved to Wales from Ghana, via the Netherlands – will be out in force in Paris to cheer him on on the biggest stage.

Azu says he will arrive at the Games “fast and healthy” and he is ready to do all he can to reach the Olympic final in the men’s 100m.

It is here he mentioned the quote from Ecclesiastes, which he is reading a lot at the moment.

“It says ‘the fastest runner doesn’t always win the race’,” he said. “So anything can happen.

“When you set your heart to something and truly believe it, anything can definitely happen.”