BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN an effort to better their performance at the 2013 IAAF World Championships, athletes representing the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis are currently engaged in a very rigorous training programme to combat their counterparts the world over.
In an interview with SKNVibes, one of the athletes, Brijesh Lawrence, stated how preparation has gone thus far.
“So far, training has been really good and I am feeling that I can come out and give 100 percent of the best effort I can.”
He briefly highlighted how the season has played out and pointed out what is his current focus.
“It is going good! I started the season kind of late...I have a lot of energy and I am just ready for Worlds.
“This year I came close to my personal best. The 200 meters, I stopped focusing on that! Right now I am just focused on the relay because that is all I am running in Worlds, that’s all I have been training towards...getting ready to run fast and breaks the record.”
Commenting on the London Olympics, Lawrence said, “It was an amazing experience! It was my first Olympic Games. Since I was a little kid I always wanted to represent my country at the Olympics, and last year it came through.”
The athlete is also confident in the team defending their Bronze Medal won two years ago when they shocked the world.
“For starters, all of us are faster than 2011 and are running faster, but first we got to get in the finals...and anything can happen.”
He also stated that with the absence of Tyson Gay it will weaken the USA’s chances of claiming a medal
“I don’t know about me, but I know it’s going to hurt the USA team. He is the American record holder so that’s a little damp in the relay pool. But for us, we just got to go out there and continue doing what we got to do and focus on us.”
Lawrence disclosed the teams which he believes would post the greatest challenge.
“Jamaica is going to be there...they have a good squad. USA is going to come back and try and get a medal but we are just going to go out there and do our thing.”
Lawrence also disclosed that he had been battling with a minor injury since last month.
“I got a hiccup at Nationals with my knee, but it’s coming along pretty well. And as training has gone, today I didn’t feel much pain. I just got to do what I have been doing and listen to what the coach has been telling me.”
Team St. Kitts-Nevis will depart the Federation for Russia on Tuesday (Aug. 6) to compete in the Games beginning on August 10.