Ey luv, nice day innit? The bloke over there is being a bit of a pillock. I'm absolutely chuffed with this draft bevie, fancy I buy you one? Not to be cheeky, but d'you fancy a proper coffee back at my place? Right, then, let's head off.
I generally don't approach women half my age, unless they engage first. If she engaged, but didn't lead the convo in any particular direction, I'd probably go full running nerd mode and ask her about PRs, what she thinks of Athing Mu, Josh Kerr, etc. She wouldn't be interested at all!
I probably wouldn't have much in common with her outside of the running stuff.
"Hey there! Oh, you're a runner, too? Listen, if you really want to improve, you've got to switch up your training. Let me tell you what I've been doing lately. I have had some real progress..."
If it's the US where she's not a celebrity, it's quite simple for the vast majority of people. The vast majority of people are not going to be trying to pick her up as they are either female, married or too old/young, so you say something like this.
"Wow. It's not every day that I get the honor or sitting next to an Olympic gold medallist. Congratulations. Keep up the good work.
"I know there is a lot of pressure at times but it drives me nuts how so many other top female sports stars view seem to view their gift as a burden. What an amazing opportunity. I really love how you seem to enjoy it."
If it's the US where she's not a celebrity, it's quite simple for the vast majority of people. The vast majority of people are not going to be trying to pick her up as they are either female, married or too old/young, so you say something like this.
"Wow. It's not every day that I get the honor or sitting next to an Olympic gold medallist. Congratulations. Keep up the good work.
"I know there is a lot of pressure at times but it drives me nuts how so many other top female sports stars view seem to view their gift as a burden. What an amazing opportunity. I really love how you seem to enjoy it."
You need to speak her language. She does not respond well to loud American.
"That's a cracking bit of luck, sitting next to a proper legend like that. Top stuff, mate, keep it up.
It does my head in how some top-tier female athletes moan about their lot, when they've got a banging opportunity. It's a proper gift, innit? I'm dead chuffed that you seem to proper love it."