Dai Greene: Welshman inspired by Christine Ohuruogu comeback

Dai Green won 400m hurdles gold at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu

Dai Greene is taking inspiration from former world and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu as he bids to return to form after a year wrecked by injury.

Greene, the 29-year-old 2011 world 400m hurdles champion, has received the top level of UK Athletics funding before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Ohuruogu was troubled by a number of injuries but came back to win 400m gold at the 2013 World Championships.

"I take a lot of motivation and inspiration from her," Greene said.

Ohuruogu won 400m gold at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka and at the Olympic Games in Beijing a year later.

The 31-year-old subsequently struggled with injuries, including a quad problem, before winning a second world title in Moscow two years ago. This year, she also manage to shrug off more injuries to reach the World Championship final and won a bronze medal with Great Britain's 4x400m relay team.

"She had a lot of success and then dropped off the radar with injuries and problems," Greene added.

Christine Ohuruogu celebrates winning gold at the 2013 World Championships

"All of a sudden she came back and was one of the best in the world and was world champion again.

"My career could follow a similar path in that regard. That would be the dream."

Greene's injury problems - which also included being in hospital with suspected appendicitis in July - meant he failed to make the qualifying time for the 2015 World Championships.

The former world, Commonwealth and European 400m hurdles champion says he is grateful to have received the top level of funding from the governing body before Rio 2016.

"It's just nice I guess that you get the backing and support," Greene told BBC Wales Sport.

"They know what's going on. I speak to them regularly so they know the situation I've been in and know that I've had some bad luck as well.

"They know I'm still a good athlete so I need to try and get back to that level I was at previously."