media_artricles :: 2014

Gordon: Work hard for what you want

Trinidad and Tobago’s 400 metres hurdles world champion, Jehue Gordon, left the audience with the thought-provoking quote, “Nothing is easy for the unwilling,” during his delivery of the feature address at Queen’s Royal College’s Sports and Co-Curricular Award Ceremony at the institution’s auditorium in Port of Spain last Wednesday.

Gordon, a former Royalian himself, told the awardees, “Your character isn’t defined by easy things because anyone can do easy, it is the ones who face the difficulties and overcome them. It is about doing something different compared to the rest, finding an alternative way.

“Queen’s Royal College is one of the finest all-round institutions in the Caribbean and we can see that from the quality of individuals it has produced over the years; Dr Eric Williams, the first prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago; Peter Minshall, our beloved Carnival masman; and of late, Richard Thompson, our double silver medallist at the Olympic Games. They all started where you are now and that says something.

“You have what it takes to be the future leaders in whatever you may choose. “Once high school finishes, here is where the man is separated from the boy. The outside world is no easy road, it’s either you eat or be eaten, that is as real as it is. Nobody is going to give you anything, you have to work hard for what you want and prove to people that you deserved it.”

Gordon next shared about his achievements and the challenges he faced. “I was in form five when a landslide came and mashed down my house. I was just on the rise in my athletic career and was too embarrassed to let people know what had happened. I didn’t want to own up to the shortcomings of my family and accept it, but because of my desire to remove myself from this situation I made a stance to use my talent as a means of escape.

He said the following year he broke out unto the international circuit by placing fourth at the World Championships and setting a world age-best at 17 years. He said that a high level of discipline and passion were required as one’s heart must be in it.

“Choosing a field for the extrinsic rewards just will not last as long compared to being intrinsically motivated. That innate desire to be the best will go further compared to wanting the gold chains and fast cars because when that is gone what will keep you going.

Gordon said following his disappointing sixth-place finish at his first Olympic, after entering the final with the fourth fastest time and confident of winning a medal, he returned home feeling like his hard work did not pay off and was further upset when he realised that only the winners were rewarded. “I felt like I didn’t get any respect because we make so many sacrifices as athletes though not necessarily at the Olympic level.

“It’s not always about the money, but we do want people to understand the sacrifices we make on a daily basis they can’t really pay us for that, so just to say a thank you, a handshake or say we admire what you’re doing, continue going. If I was caught up on the bling bling and the money then you know for sure I am partying every Friday and Saturday, Sunday and all if I get the chance.”

He said he decided to not to stress himself out on results but focus on performance while having fun at it, which encouraged him to help the younger athletes at his club. “Surprisingly enough the following year I won the World Championships, running the fastest time in the world and being ranked the number one hurdler.

“It is a matter of having the patience and keeping the faith that it will eventually happen. “One thing I want you to take is that action phrase that says, “Just Do It. Cut all the talking out and act, you already know what to do and if you don’t, ask someone and then, Just Do It.”

Gordon said the difference between winners and losers is that winners actually do it, losers don’t. ‘’Have you truly asked yourself what is possible for you? If you can do anything, what would it be? ‘’

Gordon told the awardees they must also ask themselves why they started in the first place whenever they think about quitting. “I know I started because I wanted to be a change Leader and if I quitted then the others who were looking up to me would quit because they would say, if Jehue can do it, so can I.

“You are the people who the status quo is not an option. People expect more from you because you are the leaders of tomorrow. You are just this far away from your goal. There are no limitations and it’s not about being smart. “Winners do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Youth cyclist Kassim Charles-Walcott copped the McGregor Hinkson Bursary for the most outstanding performance in sports, academic achievement and discipline while hockey standout Jordan Reynos took the prestigious “Sportsman of the Year” award.

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