At just 25 years of age, Jana Rawlinson has already achieved great heights in the world of athletics. In just a few short years she has experienced Olympic, Commonwealth Games and World Championship success.

With a solid background in hurdles, Jana won her first medal at just 15 years of age. In the two years that followed, Jana's athletics career exploded, seeing her win world junior titles and become the fastest junior 400m hurdler in history, an extraordinary achievement for someone at such a young age. It was then that Jana paved her way to becoming an Australian champion.

In 2002, Jana participated in her first Commonwealth Games in Manchester and won gold in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m Relay.

Jana was named the Telstra Female Athlete of the Year in 2003 after breaking Cathy Freeman's 25 race winning streak in the 400m in an astonishing time of 50.43.

It was in this same year at the 2003 Paris World Championships that Jana became the youngest 400m hurdles Olympic or World Champion in history after winning gold in the 400m hurdles in a personal best time of 53.22.

In 2004, Jana made her first Olympic team and as the current world champion, was on track for a medal at Athens. However, just prior to the Games in a lead up event, Jana suffered a serious knee injury, putting her Olympic campaign in jeopardy. She immediately underwent surgery and extensive physiotherapy in an effort to keep her Olympic dream alive.

In true testament to her character, Jana made a remarkable comeback from surgery to race at Athens in the 400m Hurdles. Courageously she made the final, a mere 17 days after her knee surgery, and giving her all in the championship race, she finished a gallant fifth.

Strong performances during the Australian domestic season in 2006 secured Jana selection in the Australian Commonwealth Games team to compete in Melbourne. She produced an outstanding race in the final at the Games to win gold in the 400m hurdles and defend her title. She was also part of the gold-medal winning 4x400m relay team.

Taking time off after the Commonwealth Games, Jana got married and also had her first child in December 2006 - a boy named Cornelis.

Showing amazing determination, Jana returned to competition in early 2007 just a few months after giving birth. She capped off an amazing comeback by reclaiming her World 400m hurdles title at the World Championships in Osaka in August.

Jana now has her eyes fixed on her dream of Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008