Eager hurdler Beckles eyeing spot in final

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil,  CMC – Barbadian sprint hurdler Kierre Beckles is convinced she can reach the final of the event here at the Rio Olympics, and says she is already honing her focus for the preliminary rounds which get underway next Tuesday.

 Kierre Beckles
Kierre Beckles

The 26-year-old, participating in her first ever Olympiad, also said she was under no illusions about what would be required in order to reach the championship race next Wednesday night at the Olympic Stadium.

“Now we’re getting closer to track and field, I’m getting more focused, more excited to get on the track,” Beckles said.

“I’ve been to the track a couple times and I’ve seen some of the big athletes train. It’s good to be among them. To see the way they focus and I focus, it’s basically the same thing.

“So going to practice, even though there are a lot of people on the track doing what they have to do, you have your distractions so I try to get into my focus and my little tunnel vision when I start warming up.”

She added: “More than likely I definitely have to run another personal best [and] break the national record. I believe that is possible.

“I just need to keep executing the way I’m supposed to through every round and then once I get into the finals anything is really possible to get on the podium.”