Last update on. From the section OlympicsJames has won both the Grenada Olympic medalsTokyo Olympic Games on BBC Dates: 23 Jul-8 Aug Time in Tokyo: BST+8. Listen live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer and BBC Red Button; Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra, and Sounds; Live text and video clips available on BBC Sport app and website.Kirani James understands that an Olympic gold does more than just make a difference in someone's life. It can do so much more.He tells BBC Sport that it had a ripple effect in his home country. It gave Grenada greater recognition. It was an increase in tourism, and people were looking up Grenada."It was a significant change for me, but it wasn't just for me."James was just 19 years old when he walked through Maurice Bishop's airport doors on a hot August evening. He was 19 years old when he won the world 400m title a year earlier.His London 2012 win, Grenada’s first Olympic gold medal of any color, was a feat of magnitude.James emerged with a sheepish smile from the arrivals hall. A sea of faces, flags, and a loud public address system announced the return of King James. External-link The prime minister had already declared a public holiday in his honor.Four years later, Grenada won its second Olympic gold. And so did James, as he took silver behind world record-setting Wayde van Niekerk in Rio.For the 28-year old, the build-up to Tokyo was the most difficult and long-lasting Olympic campaign.Eight months after Rio, James placed sixth at a high-profile college event in America. His time was nearly two seconds faster than the previous meeting record.It was actually his slowest 400m final time since he was 16.He recalls, "Athletes push their bodies through many things.""Sometimes, you feel a bit more tired than usual. That's normal.James, a 19-year-old boy, was the world and Olympic champion in 400m after London 2012."I didn’t notice, but I was losing weight, feeling hungry and wasn’t sleeping as well as I should."Even though I was able at the time to do it, when there is competition, it is quite a different experience."He was defeated, tired and unable to recover quickly enough to undergo blood tests.He was diagnosed with Graves' disease. This is an auto-immune condition that causes an overactive thyroid and an athlete who is tired.After his diagnosis, he spent over a year away from the sport, getting advice and tweaking his medication.Gail Devers was one of the people he sought out. Graves' disease was more severe for Devers. External-link Her skin was peeling, her hair was shedded, and she once feared that she would lose both of her feet from a septic blister.The American won 100m gold in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996. He competed at five Olympic Games.James says, "I spoke to her by phone once to share my experience.""I look forward to sitting down at some time and discussing it more. If there are any young athletes who have had that same experience, I would be happy to speak to them as well."Gail Devers (center) has recovered from Graves’ disease and won 100m gold in Barcelona. She also defended her title in Atlanta, ahead of Merlene Ottey and Gwen Torrance.The treatment has progressed. In an effort to eliminate the gland, Devers was forced to take radioactive iodine. James now takes daily tablets that are precisely divided into fractions in order to regulate his hormone levels.Their recovery was also slow. James finished fifth at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019, after a long recovery that took two and a half year.He was the fastest man to reach Thursday's Tokyo Olympic final at 13:00 BST on Monday.He says that a third Olympic medal would be a great achievement."But now I see things from a new perspective. It's a privilege to play in this sport, and do something I love and am good at."I'm just going to enjoy it as much I can, to feel that sense of representing my country and the relationship with other competitors... that's what is important."Sports brings people together, regardless of their background or where they are from." That is the beauty of sports.James will be back to Gouyave as a hero, no matter what happens or how the reception is received.Since December 2019, James has been unable to return to Arizona due to covid restrictions and other difficulties.He says, "People there know me since I was a kid." "I feel like a family member.""They sometimes want to express their pride or excitement, but most of the times it is calm and they sit around and talk."It recharges me going home."Things slow down, and you can take in everything. It's like a pilgrimage. You go back to see your roots and everyone. It keeps me grounded and helps me focus on the right things.
