at the Camp Nou, fouled him twice as they harassed hi

Nearly nine years ago, a roar erupted inside Osakas Nagai stadium as three exhausted runners stormed into the last 10 metres desperate to be 400m world champion. Nicola Sanders lurched towards the line ahead of Jamaican Novlene Williams, who had led for most of the race, and although GB team-mate Christine Ohuruogu won gold, it was still an incredibly gutsy show from the former Sky Academy Sports Scholar. Injuries were a source of frustration for Sanders for the rest of her career and she reluctantly retired in October 2014.As well as that silver in Japan, the High Wycombe-born athlete, coached by Scholarship boss Tony Lester, can boast a load of other medals including European Indoor 400m gold at Birmingham in 2007, clocking 50.02 seconds which is still a British record.So 16 months after hanging up her spikes and now running around changing nappies, how does Sanders reflect on her career, being a mum and how the Sky Scholarship (2010-2012) boosted her?I was looking at my phone the other day and one of my Facebook Memories popped up. It was a photo of me and my running group on a hill session in the rain. And I thought - do we really miss this?I dont miss athletics when its freezing cold. By the end of my career, I was fed up with being away, but at the same time I miss going to South Africa and being in the sunshine and training with people doing what I love. Christine Ohuruogu pips Sanders to gold in Japan in 2007 So I have mixed feelings. Overall though, I dont miss it - which is good because it means I retired at the right time. I knew I was ready. I was chosen for the relay in London 2012 but they didnt end up picking me, so I lost all my funding. After the Games, I decided to change event and try the 800m.I did that for a year and competed a few times in 2013 and then I got injured again. I thought Id give it one more year but got so injured, I couldnt even compete. I got more and more frustrated. There are only so many times you can say if I wasnt injured, I could have.... I knew it was time to stop.The good part of my career was a long time ago and it feels like I was a separate person. My peak was in 2007. Thats nine years ago, which is crazy. Even when I was doing my best times with silver in Osaka, I thought I could have won that final. I was disappointed and I couldnt appreciate it then. At the start of my career, to say Id be the British indoor record holder and have all the medals I won, I wouldnt have believed it. It did become frustrating but over time, Ive learned to appreciate it. With all the injuries, I feel I could have got more out of it but over time, I feel Ive had a pretty good career and one that many would kill for - even those that arent injured. It was an amazing one-two for GB in that 400m world final in 2007 At the moment, Im very happy being a mum. I will start some different work and eventually I will get back into coaching. Ive always wanted to go into physio because of my injuries but not at the moment. Im very happy looking after Oliver [6 months old]. It wasnt that long ago I was training, but as soon as I started being a mum, it felt like I had been doing it for years. The transition from athlete to parent has been pretty comfortable. You do have to be self-centred as an athlete with your body, where everything is geared towards training and competing. But I was ready to change that part of my life so it all happened and my life is now all about Oliver. That all happened quite naturally and it doesnt seem such a change because its so normal now - although I obviously have less sleep than I used to! Looking back, being on the Scholarship scheme was brilliant. Tony was my coach and it really assisted in so many ways.It helped me buy essential equipment and I was given the opportunity to learn from some of the mentors, who were Sky presenters where I worked in the studios.It also enabled me to have warm weather training. It helped so much with the injuries being in the sun and doing quality training. Sanders (second from right) won gold in the 400m relay in Istanbul at the 2012 World Indoor Championships In the build-up to the 2012 season, we went to Florida for five weeks. The whole of our group went and Tony also managed to get out for most of that time. The training was great and that just wouldnt have happened without the Scholarship. I will always be very grateful for that.In the build-up to London, being a Scholar also helped with our profiles and the sports profile. I remember seeing a poster of me running in the middle alongside Sir Chris Hoy and Andy Murray.It was so weird thinking people were seeing it all around the country. I was in a shopping centre and these guys were trying to sell me Sky TV in front of the poster and I was saying hold on... thats me!For any new Scholar starting the scheme, I would say grab it with both hands. Its such an amazing opportunity. Plus having the chance to see the Sky set-up was amazing. It gave me exposure to some great training with media and it gives you money to do the sport you love. I recommend taking every opportunity it gives you.So whats next for me? Before having Oliver, I did some sports massage and personal training. I might go back to that when my son is old enough and maybe some coaching but I dont have definite plans. Sanders just missed out on a spot in the 400m final at the 2008 Olympics As for Oliver, my partner and I were joking about him becoming an athlete recently! We will definitely encourage him to do sport. When he was born, he was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome so we were chatting about signing him up for the Special Olympics and deciding what events hed do! Hes very active though, so hell be into all of this as it is. Also See: Sanders retires in 2014 Nicola Sanders biography Nicola Sanders on Twitter About the Scholarship Meet the athletes Blogs Videos Galleries TreDavious White Bills Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. Cody Ford Youth Jersey .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Tredavious-White-Bills-Jersey/ . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Zay Jones Jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Dawson Knox Bills Jersey . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St.Luis Enrique is putting less emphasis on Sergio Busquets - and that could have long-term implications for Barcelonas entire business model, says Guillem Balague. Sergio Busquets was praised for his performance in Spains draw with England last week. For fans at Wembley, it was a reminder of his cool, controlled style in the middle of midfield.Despite a high press from Gareth Southgates side, Busquets retained possession in tight situations and recorded a passing accuracy of 94.7 per cent. Sergio Busquets impressed in central midfield in Spains draw with England It was the kind of performance he has made his trademark since he stepped up to the Barcelona first-team in 2008. In September, he signed a new long-term contract with his club, which could keep the 28-year-old at the Camp Nou until 2023.Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made him one of the highest paid players in the team. Its clear how much Barca value him.But is that admiration reflected in the way they play?Theres evidence to suggest that Barcelonas shift towards a more direct style under Luis Enrique is reducing Busquets influence. Hes still an important figure - but the team are no longer playing to his strengths.Under Luis Enrique, Barcelona look to get the ball to the front three, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, as quickly as possible. They no longer play so many passes in midfield.While it has resulted in Messi, Suarez and Neymar scoring huge numbers of goals, its an approach which can often bypass Busquets. Busquets is making fewer passes year-on-year under Luis Enrique The number of passes Busquets is making reflects his involvement in the game.Those numbers have steadily decreased over the past three seasons under Luis Enriques management.He was making an average of 83 passes per 90 minutes in 2011/12, Pep Guardiolas final season in charge. Hes now making just 73.3.Generally, Busquets remains reliable in possession, as he showed at Wembley. Busquets remains careful in possession, with a 91 per cent passing accuracy this season He has a 91 per cent passing accuraacy in La Liga this season.dddddddddddd Only two players to have played as many games as him have a better average. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price But, Enriques direct approach means there are fewer players around Busquets in the centre of the pitch - and hes increasingly being targeted by opposition teams. Guardiolas Manchester City did this well.They dispossessed him three times and forced him into giving up possession on another six occasions in their 3-1 win at the Etihad. Pep Guardiolas Manchester City put Busquets under pressure They also closed him off as an option for his team-mates. In the previous fixture at the Camp Nou they restricted him to just 46 touches.Some La Liga teams have tried a similar tactic.In Barcelonas defeat to Celta Vigo, his passing accuracy was forced down to 89.8 per cent and he had just 60 touches of the ball.Alaves, in their win at the Camp Nou, fouled him twice as they harassed him on the ball.Interestingly, whats going on with Busquets reflects a wider issue at Barcelona. Whats going on with Sergio Busquets reflects a wider issue at Barcelona. Guillem Balague La Masia - the Barcelona youth academy - continues to create teams that need players like Busquets, even if, right now, the first team seems to be veering towards a holding midfielder that can drive the ball with more confidence and turn around quicker than Busquets does.So what happens when the first team no longer has that fantastic front three they are relying on?Will they go and buy one of the worlds most expensive strikers to replace them? Or will they have to try to revert back to their traditional style?Enriques change of tactics and how he uses Busquets has not only affected Barcelonas style, it could also affect the clubs entire business model.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Barca held by nine-man Malaga Pique: Barca form worrying ' ' '