Simpson on target for Rio

Western Bureau:

Three-time Olympian Sherone Simpson says she is on track to possibly run the fastest time she has in over a year, as she steps up preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Simpson, who was keynote speaker at the launch of this year's Milo Western Relays Carnival yesterday at the Holy Trinity Church in Montego Bay, said she is fit and happy and is awaiting the national senior team trials, which is used to select athletes for major championships.

"I think I am. I am healthy, and all aspects of my training have been improving, so I am very happy with that right now," the Olympian told The Gleaner.

"I am so confident, and my physical and mental readiness is there, so I am looking forward to what is ahead," she said.

Simpson, a multiple relay gold-medal winner as part of Jamaica's 4x100m relay at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece, and again at the World Championship in Beijing, China, in 2015, says that she is focusing on being technically sound.

A fully fit and strong Simpson is in line to shatter the 10.95 seconds she won gold with at the Pan American Games last year in Toronto, Canada.

RELAYS FAVOURITE

Simpson is expected to be part of coach Maurice Wilson's Sprint Tech 4x100m relays team, as she set her sights on doing the double at Rio. As is now the norm, she will be using the Milo Western Relays as a launching pad for what is expected to be a very busy 2016.

Excited at the prospects, Simpson acknowledged that if she qualifies for a fourth Olympics, it will be a pleasing achievement.

"I would be so humbled. It would be unreal if I should make the Games, especially in the 100m and 200m," she added.

"So I am working hard towards that, and it will be such a blessing for me, and I would be so happy," she stated.

The 38th staging of the Milo Western Relays is set for the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay on Saturday, February 13.