The 5-Minute Interview: Gail Emms, Olympic athlete

'I turn everything into a catastrophe'

Ranked as World No 1 with Nathan Robertson in mixed doubles badminton, Gail Emms, 29, will compete in the English National Badminton Championships in Manchester on 2 February.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be ...

Training. I train twice a day five days a week and once on Saturday or Sunday. I feel confident about the championships. I haven't lost for five years. I feel like it's my title and I don't want anyone to take it away from me.

A phrase I use far too often is ...

"Oh my God". I can be a bit of a drama queen. I turn everything into a catastrophe. I should be in Hollywood. I'm wasted here in Milton Keynes.

I wish people would take more notice of ...

Minority sports. We [England sports teams and athletes] have so much success in non-mainstream sports. People say we are so rubbish at cricket, rugby and football but if you look at rowing, sailing, cycling, gymnastics and badminton we've got world champions.

A common misperception of me is ...

That I'm a blonde little girl and people think I am going to be all bubbly and fluffy. I can beat most of the guys at sprinting and squat thrusts and lots of physical tests. I am actually quite feisty.

I am not a politician but ...

I can't wait for the smoking ban to come in. I am so excited. I cannot see how they haven't done it already. I hate that feeling when you come home and you can smell it on you.

I'm good at...

Hosting parties. I like being "the hostess with the most-ess". I feel like queen bee..

I'm very bad at ...

Accounts and tax and all that. I give it to my mum.

Sara Newman