Richards-Ross to take it easy in 2016

Jamaican-born American quarter-miler Sanya Richards-Ross told popular track and field outlet Athletics Weekly that she is looking to pace herself in training ahead of the 2016 season.

The four-time Olympic and five-time World Championships gold medal winner, had a disappointing season in 2015, after failing to qualify for an individual event for the World Championships in Beijing, China.

She was a member of the USA's silver-medal winning 4x400m relay team, but will no doubt be looking to get an opportunity to defend the 400m title she won almost four years ago at the London Olympic Games at the upcoming instalment in Rio de Janeiro.

As a result, the veteran sprinter - going on advice from other experienced campaigners Kim Collins and Felix Sanchez, is planning to take things a little easier in training, pointing to an overly intense approach in her preparations as a reason for her disappointments this year.

"This year I think I over-trained," she admitted.

"At the beginning of the year, I said, 'Coach, I want to run faster than 48.7 this year. I want a PR.'

"I was doing 1000 sit-ups a day. I started running with the boys and pushed myself really hard and felt great in practise but flat in races. We couldn't figure it out," Richards-Ross looked back.

"I don't think anyone has won four successive relay gold (medals) so that's what I'm going for in Rio as well as defending my individual title," said Richards-Ross.