THE Olympics come and go, but Olympians are always in the making. Each country seeks its best athletes every four years with the hope of landing at least one Big One, whether Gold, Silver or Bronze. But in each country too, there are young Olympians at home who show, very early, just where they are headed.
Take Saint Lucia’s Christelle Paul. At only 12, she has already amassed 22 Gold, 5 Silver and 3 Bronze medals — and that does not include the trophies and titles that have come her way on the track.
A student at Leon Hess Comprehensive, she realized her passion just three years ago. And since then she’s just been running to win. She was the Victrix Ludorum at the District 2 Inter-Primary sports meet, Sportswoman of the Year at Camille Henry, Most Consistent Athlete and Most Improved Athlete.
Active at primary, secondary and national school levels, Christelle qualified for the Finals of the 100, 200 and 400 metres at the AAU World Championships in Miami in 2013. She also qualified for the Finals in the 200 and 400 metres at the 2016 Hampton Games in Trinidad.
But she is not limited to only one track or field. Last season she participated in a pentathlon taking part in five events: Track (1,000 metres and 200 metres), High Jump, Long Jump and Ball Throwing.
She has her own thoughts on inadequacy of facilities, but Christelle is more interested in making the best out of what’s available and doing her best on any track or field.
Win or lose – and she hardly loses – Christelle will just keep on running.
“Losing doesn’t stop me. Far from discouraging me, it encourages me to go back to the drawing board to come back and win,” she says.
“No matter who I’m running against,” she adds, “whether boy or girl, my aim is always to win,
“I am the youngest in my group, so I am always up against persons older than me, but most times I do get the satisfaction of winning.”
Part of the Rockets team, she undertakes intense and rigorous training, her eyes always on the next race – and the next year.
For example, Christelle already has her eyes on 2017. “In March next year, I will be participating in the Under 16 Inter-Secondary Sports Meet, as I will be 13 by then,” she explains.
But like every other athlete worth her salt, Christelle’s ultimate aim is to run her fastest and jump sky high to become the first to bring home Olympic Gold.
Levern Spencer has led the way by placing 5th at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Christelle’s everlasting dream – as always — is to “Go for the Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!”
(Courtesy: Bousquet’s Bulletin)