Great Britain sprinter Adam Gemili would love to win gold at the Tokyo Games, but he knows that goal is put into perspective when he thinks about the battle his grandma and many others have had with dementia.

One person every three minutes will develop the syndrome according to Alzheimer’s Society and more than a quarter of people who died with coronavirus in March and April in England and Wales had dementia.

Gemili was back in Stratford on Friday, eight years after he competed in the London Games there, to talk about an issue close to his heart.

In another world, the Londoner would have been in Tokyo now trying to end his quest to win a medal at the Olympic Games.

He impressed eight years ago before missing out on bronze in the 200m in 2016 by the finest of margins.

“I missed out on a medal in Rio by three thousandths of a second,” Gemili remembered.

“Then I missed out on a medal at the World Championships last year which was tough to take as well so I am hungry for it and I know what it takes to win that gold medal – and there is no reason why I can’t do that.

“As crazy as people say that sounds, I think anything can happen at a Games and I will get myself in the best shape I can be.

“I have my own lane to run and I will do my best. If it gets me to a gold medal or any sort of medal, I will be pleased.”Ad

From July-October, complete your own Memory Walk and help Alzheimer’s Society be there to support anyone affected by dementia, whoever they are and whatever they are going through. Sign up at memorywalk.org.uk