Mother of Oblique Seville confident of Olympic glory for son

Just two minutes before the semi-finals of the 100 metre race was about to begin, the television of Juliet Seville, the mother of Jamaican sprinter Oblique, lost signal. 

While this hurdle may have heightened her anxiety for her son, it did not dampen her excitement, as she watched the race from a cell phone in her living room in Harbour View. 

“Yes Oblique! to God be the glory!” she exclaimed as he sprinted away to a personal best of 9.81 to win the race. 

The United States of America's Noah Lyles finished second in 9.83 seconds. 

Juliet is confident that her son will achieve his first Olympic medal in the men's 100 metre final in Paris later this afternoon. 

Though admitting that the final race will be very competitive, Juliet said her son has shown immense progress, and that, along with the faith, his family and well-wishers will propel him to a victorious finish. 

“I am not doubting him,” she said.

“It is a tight race, but I know with God he has the job, and with his confidence, I know, whatever, I'll just [give] God thanks for us,” she said. 

Although she is hopeful that he will sprint to the gold medal, the mother of three said whatever medal her son brings home will make her equally proud. 

“Him have di confidence, and we as family have to help build his confidence. If him even come and him not even get the marks weh him want, wi still have to build up him confidence and tell him,” she said. 

“If ah even bronze, him ah come home with something,” she added. 

Oblique made his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 in the 100 metres where he made the semi-finals.

He also represented Jamaica as part of the 4x100 metres team that finished fourth in the final. 

- Sashana Small

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