OLYMPIC DREAM
Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Jereem Richards has said he wants to fulfill his childhood dream of capturing an Olympic medal when he competes for his country at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, from July 26 – Aug. 11.
Richards, 30, is a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, while he also claimed first spot in the 400-metre event at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Serbia in 2022.
On May 5 at the World Athletics Relay Championship in the Bahamas, the 200m specialist teamed up with Asa Guevara, Che Lara and Shakeem McKay to seal 2024 Olympic qualification for T&T in the men’s 4x400m event.
T&T’s 4x100m women’s team also sealed their Paris qualification at the World Relays.
Speaking in a World Athletics documentary at the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics Richards said, “I’m really excited for this Olympics because I think with all the years of experience and how training has been going, what is expected of myself this year I really think I have a shot of doing something special and I’ll continue to work and achieve my goals.”
“This has been my dream to be an Olympic medalist from the first day I started running track and field. I’m just excited to go through the cycle this year and see how it turns out in Paris.”
With the Paris Olympics just over two months away, Richards, fondly known as “The Dream,” said don’t write him off just yet.
“I’m really excited and I think my entire life journey builds up to this moment. That makes it important for me,” Richards said.
“Getting the opportunity now to compete in Paris and show my family, my friends and my country what I have to offer is going to be really special. Most importantly, I’d say to achieve my childhood dreams is what would be important for me.”
Richards said the most integral thing for him in his career has been the appreciation for balance in both his track and field and personal life. He said it has helped him to work through bad days, which also adds the fuel to the drive that pushes him toward greater consistency, a consistency he hopes to yield more success from.
