Guyana’s local sprint queen Alisha Fortune has plans set for a push at the Olympics qualifying times for the 2012 London Olympics.
The 100, 200 and 400 metres sprinter who rules the female sprint roost locally is making her move to get to the Olympics this time around.
“What I’m looking at right now is to go to Trinidad and attend some of the qualifying meets they have over there in order to make the times,” Fortune told Stabroek Sport.
With Fortune not having one of her better years in 2011 due to injuries, specifically a hamstring injury, the sprint queen is looking to be smarter this year in terms of how she goes about her training.
“Well right now I’m not into speed work, I’m gradually coming out of offseason but I’m looking to be smarter this year because last year I had some injuries that hampered me, so I will be looking at my download of work along with my training venue the National Park which is getting worse and I have picked up my injuries from constantly running there,” Fortune revealed.
While she will soon be 37-years-old, Fortune believes she still has enough left in the tank to give a good account of herself once she has support.
“Many people look at age but I don’t, if you look internationally people at my age are still doing well, it’s just a matter of me having the support here along with eating and rest. Everyone is aware that I’m a single mother and working also so it’s hard on me.
“As a single parent I still have to work, train and try to qualify which has always been a disadvantage but I will try hard by putting my best foot forward,” the local sprint queen stated.
As the qualifying times for the 100, 200 and 400 metres stand at 11.38s, 23.30s and 52.30s all ‘B’ standard qualifying times, Fortune sees her road to the Olympics as tough but easy once support is provided.
However, she said that she would resort to her other sporting activities if she does not make the times.
“It can be tough but it also can be easy once I have the support, however, if I don’t make it I can always fall back on bodybuilding and refereeing even rugby which a lot of people don’t know about,” she revealed to Stabroek Sport.
Stabroek Sport also questioned the veteran on the topic of retiring: “Well it’s not in my head at the moment; I don’t want to decide on when and then regret it later.
“I can also come off the international scene and head into the Masters category as I would be eligible for it so I don’t have plans on retiring as yet,” Fortune declared.
Meanwhile, the deadline for qualification is July 8.
