Through his problems Clarke has always remained focused on his goals, given perspective at a young age by a horrific freak accident.

Before his athletics career Clarke only had eyes for mountaineering, desperate to be an explorer until one tragic day that stays with him and inspires him on the track.

When I was 15, I was climbing with a guide up the back side of the Grand Combin, near Verbier in Switzerland, he said. There was a group of six Germans, and one in the middle slipped off the cliff. Because I was with the only guide, he had to organise the mountain rescue because there were 70mph winds and the helicopters couldnt get in.

Traumatically, I was taken down to this group of Germans in their thirties crying their eyes out. Aged 15, Im sitting there going, My God.

The guide came back with an ice axe and I was wondering if this was a film or reality. When we were back at the hut, there was just a hand hanging off the stretcher.

It makes you realise, dont make mistakes. Its so important to be the best at what you do and put in the right preparation. This guy didnt have crampons on. Its like turning up to the track without spikes. Its a no-brainer. What it put into perspective is the fragility of what you do. And certainly when it comes to the track, when youre on the edge physically you value what youre trying to do and youre properly focused.

It is a shocking story that will forever live with Clarke, as will his theology and religious studies degree from the University of Bristol. I studied Zen Buddhism at university. The combination of mountaineering experience, Buddhism and this sport has made me incredibly focused.

Being in that call room, you have to have the ultimate focus. You have to be in a state of Zen and be in a meditative place. If you let anything in, its game over.

Clarke could also have told his team-mates the tale dating back to his childhood when he met the Dalai Lama who blessed me 100 times and hugged me for an hour. But that one does not relate to athletics.

By Friday night Clarke will hope to have a second senior medal to add to the bronze medal he won at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

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Team GB captain Lawrence Clarke's near-death experience inspires him on the track