Ruebin Walters is desperate to return to his base in Alabama, USA. Stranded in Trinidad and Tobago as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 25-year-old sprint hurdler wants to resume his training programme at University of Alabama.

"I am currently searching high and low for a flight," Walters told the Express, "to go back to school and train for the Olympic Games."

Walters has adjusted to the restrictions forced on him by the coronavirus outbreak.

"The restrictions in Trinidad only affected my training at the beginning. I was able to find alternative ways to practice, but this was still very difficult and challenging. The restrictions have eased a lot now. We are allowed to train in groups and the weight rooms are open. This has had a significant impact. Now that we're in groups, I can get motivation from my training partners."

Walters was a standout for Alabama on the American collegiate circuit in 2017, earning men's 110 metres hurdles silver at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 Outdoor Championships. In 2018, the Memphis Pioneers athlete tasted podium success in T&T colours, claiming sprint hurdles silver at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The transition from collegiate to professional athlete proved to be a tough one for Walters. The best clocking he could manage in 2019 was 13.88 secondsÑmuch slower than his 13.30 PR (personal record).

Walters does not plan to compete in 2020. Instead, he will focus on preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Originally scheduled for 2020, the Tokyo Games will take now place between July 23 and August 8, 2021.

"The extra year works in my favour because 2019 was a very challenging year for me, and 2020 was also difficult. Having this extra year gives me some extra time to get faster and stronger.

"My goals in 2021 are to keep fit and injury-free, attain my top-20 world ranking, and run the qualifying standard for the Olympic Games."