TJIPEKAPORA Melody Herunga wants to be an Olympic champion. So much so that she has developed something of an obsession with the track.

She will attempt to achieve her dream at the London Games, and if she fails, she will try again after four years... and the Games after that.

In reaching the forthcoming Games, the 24-year-old 400m specialist believes she's halfway to realising that dream - although she will need to run a few seconds faster.

Herunga will be Namibia's only track and field representative in London and is looking to follow in the footsteps of former track legend Frank Fredericks, who twice collected Olympic silver double.

"I do nothing else but athletics," said Herunga.

"When I didn't make it in 2008 I told myself that I will keep working hard and now I'm there. My aim is not just to participate but to compete against the best athletes in the world."

Herunga said she was relishing the opportunity to test herself against the leading athletes in her category.

One such athlete is current African and World Champion - and Herunga's inspiration - Amantle Montsho from neighbouring Botswana.

Montsho shocked the world when she narrowly defeated American Alyson Felix, who had been the dominant athlete over the distance in recent times, to become Botswana's first world track and field champion.

"She never gave up. Even when things were not going her way and she was running much slower she just kept trying," Herunga says.

"That's why I look up to her. I will keep working hard to realise my dream."

Herunga set a new Namibian record of 51,24 seconds in May and had been in promising form up until the the African Championships in Porto Novo, Benin last month - when she was disqualified for a false start in the heats.

That cost her the opportunity to test herself against the continent's best 'long sprint' runners, including Montsho, who successfully defended her 400m African crown.

Since then, Herunga has used the time to refine her technique and improve her fitness before the London Games while also making her debut on the 'first class' European circuit.

While she may not be among the favourites for podium places, she intends to narrow the gap on the frontrunners by conquering the 50 seconds barrier.

"I was born with endurance but I lacked speed. I struggled with my arms and bringing my knees higher and I also need to improve on my starting. We've been training harder and I have worked on my weaknesses," she says.

"Hopefully my time will also start improving so that I can challenge the top athletes."

The Olympic games have another added appeal for Herunga, who describes herself as a people's person.

She plans to make as many friends as possible during the global sport spectacle which is renowned for fostering relationships beyond the competition arena.

"With athletics you get to travel. That's nice. The other thing is that you make lots of friends. I hope to make more in London."

If it were up to her, Herunga reckons she could go on running forever.

"I can be very old but if have the energy then I will keep running. I just love running. I don't want to stop. At first I didn't take it seriously but the fact that I know I inspire many people, especially back home, keeps me motivated."