Shaunae Miller-Uibo just wants to have fun

 A smile is never far from Shaunae Miller-Uibo's lips.

But in two years time, she will have to get down to the serious business on the track at Tokyo 2020.

The Bahamian sprinter is the defending 400m Olympic champion after that dive across the finish line for gold in Rio.

For now, the 24-year-old wants to let her hair down a little.

"I want to have fun," Miller-Uibo told us, ahead of the start of her Diamond League campaign in Shanghai on May 12th.

"I just don't want to sit around doing 200 and 400s my entire life."

So what's her plan? Sports swap! (Something we are familiar with at the Olympic Channel - see here)

"I’d like to try the heptathlon at some point in my career. When I was a young girl, I used to do the pentathlon. I was pretty decent in a lot of them, so I’d like to try them again. My coach is open to the idea and we are doing a little work with it."

Miller-Uibo doesn't have to look far if she wants advice about how to handle a switch to multi-sports.

After all, her husband does ten!

Multi-sport insight

The sprinter married Estonian decathlete Maicel Uibo last year, so has as good an insight as anybody into what it really takes.

"I know it's really tough," Miller-Uibo states, before revealing that she would like to try out heptathlon before the end of this season.

You can't fault her for ambition. And there is good reason for her confidence.

At the moment, the 'day job' is going pretty well - her 2018 has got off to a great start.

In February, the Bahamian equalled the fastest 300m time ever recorded by clocking 35.45 seconds in New York.

Then came gold in a high-quality field for the 200m at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

That success has motivated her even more.

"Opening up with a 22.09 and a championship title is a great start for me. On top of that, it was a great experience and I’m excited for the rest of the season."

Miller-Uibo is expecting more records to tumble this season:

Ready to perform

It’s that type of attitude that has helped Miller-Uibo to become one of the top sprinters in the world.

Her chase for Diamond League points begins with the 200m race in Shanghai where she will take on World champion Dafne Schippers.

After having won the 200m/400m Diamond trophy double last year she is eager to defend her titles.

"They were my first Diamond League finals for both events, so to win them both was an amazing feeling for me. I’m excited for the finals to come around again this year."

The 2018 Diamond League is adopting a championship-style model. The athletes will earn points at the first 12 meetings over four months to qualify for the two finals in August in Zurich and Brussels.

Miller-Uibo is a big fan of the changes.

"It’s got a lot more interesting. At first it was all about the points system, but now it gives the viewers something else to watch and look out for. I think it’s a good idea and it makes it more exciting."