media_artricles :: 2016

An Olympic Diary

Jehue focused on podium dream

World champion hurdler Jehue Gordon is fine-tuning his preparations for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In today's "Olympic Diary", Gordon looks back at the NAAA NGC/Sagicor National Open Track and Field Championships and discusses his Road to Rio journey.

Well, it's 29 days before the start of the Olympics, and just the idea that I will be competing at the biggest stage on the planet is undoubtedly surreal.

After training relentlessly for the National Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the long awaited moment was here. Stepping onto the track on June 25 I was very focused, and planned to execute what I had set out to do, and even though the outcome was not as planned, I placed third in that heat.

I left the track that night with Day Two on my mind and the thought of what I needed to do continued to play in my head as I revisited every hurdle mentally whilst I slept. Day Two was here, and as I set foot on the track I knew indisputably that I was more mentally prepared than the previous day and "BANG" the gun blasted off and without hesitation I took off placing 2nd in the finals. Although the aim was to run faster at this stage of the competition, I still was not able to perfect my race given the fact that my injuries and other setbacks impacted negatively on the number of events that I was able to participate in for the season. More simply put, I have been severely under-raced for the season.

We are however embarking on the final stretch towards Rio and I am concentrating on working on all aspects of the race such as my conditioning, hurdling technique, flat race and speed. My primary focus is to overcome obstacles and learn from my mistakes, paying attention to both the small and big parts of tasks that have been neglected, discovering what I can do well and learning what can be improved. My main objective right now is not concentrated on competing with any rival or particular person, but rather, it's about just being the best that I can be.

As such, training leading up to the Olympic Games has intensified immensely and sessions are longer and never-ending. The Olympic Games will definitely be a battle because everyone is setting out to achieve the same objective. What would give me the competitive advantage, however, is to be differentiated. Thus, at this point in time I am also focusing on the strategies and techniques that will allow for this to be achieved. My success stratagem is to have a monomaniacal focus on a single goal, and any obstacle coming my way I intend to jump that hurdle and continue my journey.

My Olympic journey has been quite an interesting one. Different routes had to be taken at times, rests here and there, there were thorny paths and missing pieces to the trail at times. Yet, I never lost focus and I ran the course. These experiences have added dimensions to my journey that I never anticipated. It makes the ride thus far more intriguing with a burning desire to expect and accomplish more.

As the clock ticks, every minute that passes brings me to the realisation that I am one step closer to making my Olympic dream a reality. I have been working earnestly for the last four years for this long awaited moment but the race is not over till the "BANG" of the gun on August 15. The journey before I get there continues as I am currently preparing to compete in two events overseas prior to Rio. It is with great expectation given my dedication, determination and drive that I would reach my target in these last two events, which is improving my time. Improving my time in these last two events would give me the ultimate peak, allowing me to perform at my optimum in Rio.

Every great achievement began in the mind of a person. They dared to dream and believed that it was possible. Thus, if you focus on a single goal and work on it each day, eventually you will achieve your dream.

"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it."

To acquire my dream is not going to be easy but I intend to triumph over the many adversities and work harder each day. Hardship as an athlete is part of the journey and almost inevitable. To stay on course one has to remain focused and motivated. This, sometimes, requires a strong support system, which I am privileged to have. For now, I am doing my part, training each day with the intention to take off like a thoroughbred horse and fulfil my dream.

An Olympic medal is the greatest achievement and honour that can be received by an athlete, a dream that I hope to achieve. #Rio2016 #bringithomeTT #believe

In next Thursday's "Olympic Diary", Khalifa St Fort looks ahead to the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

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