Tatsiana Ledouskaja has been inspired throughout a spectacular career by her sheer devotion to the sport of athletics.
'I cannot imagine life without it,' she says.
Ledouskaja began her involvement in the sport as a young athlete. From this early beginning, she worked her way to the top and is currently the general secretary of the Belarus Athletic Federation.
She is also the main coach of sprint and hurdles for the Belarus national team.
Her deep rooted love for athletics is amplified by her family, which shares the same sentiments toward athletics and whom she credits for supporting her throughout her successful career.
'My family is an athletic family. My husband is also a former athlete. He supports me and helps me in my work activities,' Ledouskaja says.
In her current role, Ledouskaja is also energized by witnessing the joy and happiness of athletes during competition.
In addition, when Belarusian athletes excel and stand on the podium during international competitions, a sense of pride overtakes the former Olympic champion.
Being a part of these experiences inspires Ledouskaja to continue working hard in the sport.
Ledouskaja (whose name is perhaps more recognisable around the world as Tatyana Ledovskaya) boasts a decorated career as an athlete.
In addition to being an Olympic champion in the 4x400m relay, the Minsk-born Ledouskaja is also a world record holder in the same race, won two World Championships in 1991 (400m hurdles and 4x400m relay) and a European Athletics Championships gold in 1990.
After ending her track career, it was a natural transition for her to move into coaching.
Ledouskaja sees the future of women in athletics being dependant on current athletes making this same transition.
'Many women in athletics begin as athletes, but when they finish their sport activities they go away from our sport. But if they were successful as an athlete they can be successful as a coach, administrative workers, or as managers.
'I hope that woman will start to understand that they can be useful to athletics after their career.'
Ledouskaja has served in her current coaching role since 1999 and has experienced a significant amount of success.
Belarusian athletes have been prize winners at a number of different competitions including European Athletics Championships, the European Youth Olympic Festival, World Championships, European Team Championships and Olympic Games.
In addition to her administrative and coaching roles, Ledouskaja created and organised a national competition for the top Belarusian athletes in both 2008 and 2009.
Youth boys and girls, from four to six years old, also compete during the event.
The primary purpose of the event is to celebrate the achievements of Olympic champions, as well as to promote athletics and the Olympic movement.
Ledouskaja secured sponsors, volunteers, and managed the entire event.
Ledouskaja has served in many other roles including as a high national level judge in athletics during this past year.
Her work was recognised when Ledouskaja was awarded with the 'Honour' Award by the Government of the Republic of Belarus.
Ledouskaja has also been repeatedly been noted in the order of the Belarus Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic because of the successful performances of her athletes at official international competitions and their many national records.
Ledouskaja's success excites her about the future impact of women in athletics.
She says she understands the difficulty women face when combining both work and family responsibilities, but also draws on her own experiences of when she always felt support from men both at home and at the office.
She credits this continual support with allowing her to maximize her impact on the sport.
Ledouskaja knows, however, that this is not the case for all women.
'Sometimes men look on woman and their work very sceptically, and woman should prove that they are really worthy to participate in work and in various activities.
'Probably, men should give women more chances. It's good that it wasn't this way for me, but I know that sometimes woman are in situation like this.'
Ledouskaja also calls on international and national bodies, society and all women to do their part in helping create more women leaders in athletics in the future.
'I think that seminars, courses, book, booklets with practical advice could help very much. It's very important to exchange minds and experience with colleagues from different countries.'