Ronald Forbes is anxious to put the memories of his disappointing London Olympics behind him and carve out a more positive year culminating in a great showing at the world championships in Moscow in August.
The 27-year-old high hurdler went to London bristling with confidence after his encouraging Olympic debut at the Beijing Games in 2008, but things did not work out in the 110 metres.
Miami-based Forbes came in seventh in his London heat and did not progress. It turned out that injury problems had curtailed his preparations and he was not at his peak.
Things are much better this time round though, he said.
“I’m feeling in great shape right now,” Forbes said. “Since we’ve started training from the end of last year, I’ve made it a goal to be better every single time for every single workout I do. So far I’m feeling physically and mentally great which is always ideal for any athlete.”
Forbes said he hopes to race within the next week or so. He has been working on changing his starts and feels it is finally coming together better each training session.
“I’m sure my coach will let me know when he sees it’s best to start doing what all this practice is for,” he said. “My next race will most likely be in Florida, just to get an idea of where I’m at and what needs to be worked on in practice to better my race results.”
The Cayman Invitational is on 8 May with Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest athlete, headlining.
Forbes was scheduled to compete at last year’s inaugural Cayman Invitational. He arrived, but was not fit enough to do so. This time he is determined to reach the starting line against Jamaica’s Olympic bronze medallist Hansle Parchment, who won here last year.
It is organised by Cayman’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Cydonie Mothersill of KyStar Athletics, who turned 35 on Tuesday. Last time she managed to get Yohan Blake, the world’s second fastest sprinter, here and went one better this year.
Also competing will be some of Cayman’s best athletes including Jon Rankin, Tyrell Cuffy, Kemar Hyman and the Morgan twins, Carl and Carlos, in the long jump.
“I’m hoping to do great at the Cayman Invitational, to run a sound race,” Forbes said. “I’ve been looking forward and thinking about it since last year’s meet. I was quite disheartened after watching Cydonie and all the others who contributed their efforts.
“Being home at the meet but not able to compete because of just being released by doctors orders due to a injury, was disappointing,” he added. “I haven’t competed on home soil since 2003, so I’m really glad that the meet is going to see its second year, so I can be able to compete in front of my home crowd.”
Forbes, like many, is relishing competing here with the celebrated Bolt and many other world class athletes, including Carmelita Jeter, Kerron Stewart, Melanie Walker and Chris Brown.
“I’m definitely excited that Bolt will be able to compete on Cayman soil,” Forbes said. “It seems to be a long time coming. With a large Jamaican fan base locally, I’m sure the stands and parking lots are going to be packed.
“With Jeter and many other world class and Olympic champions competing at the Cayman Invitational, I’m very pleased with the growing number and excited about all the buzz it is creating,” he said. “For Bolt to be running in Cayman, it will be an exciting time in our country’s history.
“It’s not just the mere excitement surrounding the track and field part of it, but sport in general.
“Some of the specific things or the big picture I hope the public observe with the attendance of such world class athletes is that track and field is an underrated sport in my opinion. It is a much greater sport to appreciate than just getting excited about or only watching every four years when the Olympics rolls around.
“It’s a complex and complete lifestyle that athletes must endure to be able to display our skills for fans to appreciate and it’s a daunting and daily task, which spans into months and even decades to achieve one’s goals,” he added. “Sports and sporting events such as this can be a very valuable tool to bring a whole new outlook into the tourism industry of the Cayman Islands and business sector on a whole, gearing future and current generations up for jobs and careers in ways that were not seen possible or even fathomable in past years.
“This in turn can create more positive changes in other sports locally and regionally, furthering the development of our country’s future for years to come.”
Forbes said he is pretty sure that if he can stay injury free he will qualify for the world championships and excel. He added that he is appreciative of the support he has received, especially from the community in North Side.
“I would like to thank the many sponsors and volunteers for making this possible,” he said. “This year I hope to do what I’ve done in past years when I’ve had a good season, which is to set no limit on myself.
“One thing I’ve dedicated myself in trying to do since the end of last season is to find as many of the little flaws I’ve had and try and correct them. One step at a time and to enhance what I thought were my strengths and make them even stronger.
“Based on that I’m placing no barriers in front of me except the 10 I have to go over to compete and complete a race.”
The “A” standard for the world champs is 13.40 seconds.
“I hope to get that time out of the way and under my belt as soon as I can. For me this year, it’s not about simply just making a standard to go to the meet but making a mark and being an athlete that others recognise as a competitor, not just a participant in the race.”
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