LOS ANGELES — Dawn Harper Nelson is back at the starting line, ready to chase after Olympic glory one more time.

At 36-years-old, the UCLA alumnus is ready to begin her official training to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“What got you here is going to keep you here,” Nelson said.

The 2008 100-meter hurdles gold medalist made the decision to come out of retirement in 2019 in the hopes of going for gold one final time.

It has been a longer year than anyone anticipated, but Nelson has stayed ready to keep chasing her dreams of gold.

For Olympians, it has been a year full of hurdles, but overcoming them is what she specializes in. As one of the oldest athletes in her field, this new mother has time working against her, but instead of feeling anxious, she’s practicing patience.

“What I’m going up against with my age is understanding that it’s going to take a little more time in warm up,” Nelson said.

“To be a professional athlete, point blank, you have to be selfish. You have to have things that support you and your needs. Obviously you have to find a way to include your husband, make sure your family feels loved and everything,” Nelson said.

She’s found a way to balance it all with her husband, Alonzo who comes to the track with her as a coach.

Now she is embarking on months of races, meets, and a disciplined existence as she aims to punch her ticket to Tokyo.