Women's sport helps break down a lot of barriers for women in other areas, whether in religion or politics.

Swimming and athletics are the big gigs at the Olympic games. Cycling and rowing are pretty big for Britain, but globally, the two big things are athletics and swimming.

Dad is a really surprising guy. Every time I think he's going to be useless, he ends up doing something amazing and saying exactly the right thing.

I get a lot of abuse on Twitter. It's mostly homophobic, but what can you do? I just either ignore it or laugh.

I think all kids should have something they feels is theirs.

I didn't just grow up with horses I wanted to be one.

I really love good food occasionally, but I need time to enjoy it and I need to be hungry.

I believe that horses bring out the best in us. They judge us not by how we look, what we're wearing or how powerful or rich we are, they judge us in terms of sensitivity, consistency, and patience. They demand standards of behavior and levels of kindness that we, as humans, then strive to maintain.

I've never been particularly maternal.

I've always been fascinated by intelligence and how our brains work, and how they can be improved.

I don't make decisions for money or popularity. I do things because they're right for me, and they're interesting and challenging.

I felt like a misfit at school, and I think that's quite common.

It had become boring to write: 'I like Clare Balding'. To say: 'I don't like Clare Balding' is much more newsworthy.

Lots of women don't realize that they're gay until they're grown up.