Parchment expects fireworks at trials - Olympic silver medallist expects fiercely competitive 110m hurdless

DOHA, Qatar:
Hansle Parchment believes the track and field world could be in for something special at Jamaica’s Olympics trials next month, as he expects fierce competition in the men’s 110m hurdles.
The 24-year-old, who won bronze in the event at the 2012 Olympics followed by silver at the World Championships last year, is expecting fierce competition from the likes of Omar McLeod and Andrew Riley.
McLeod burst on to the scene last year with some impressive times, before finishing sixth at the World Championships.
The 21-year-old McLeod has gotten off to an even faster start this year, winning the World Indoor title followed by a new personal best clocking of 9.99 in the 100m.
Fans will not have to wait long to see McLeod and Parchment match strides, as both men are scheduled to face the starter in tomorrow’s opening meet of the 2016 IAAF Diamond League series in Doha, Qatar. But it is next month’s clash that Parchment is really looking forward to, that’s the one which really matters.
“Trials coming up is a stepping stone going forward into the Olympics and I am definitely looking forward to the competition,” Parchment said. “As we know we have some good guys coming up; Omar (McLeod) is there and (Andrew) Riley, just to name a few.
“So it should be very interesting competition in Jamaica. I hope that we can turn a few heads when we compete at the trials.”
Parchment is hoping with the emergence of such top level competition in Jamaica, hurdles will captivate the attention of local track and field fans and get the respect it deserves.
“I have always said that hurdling is one of the better events, but just like some of the field events there is not so much attention given to it,” Parchment said. “People don’t really know who is hurdling, who is throwing or who is jumping most of the times, so we want to compete in such a way that people can see what’s happening in the hurdles. We want to raise the level of competition, so that people start talking about hurdling as one of the events to see.”
With competition increasing in the event yearly, Parchment anticipates that youngsters will also start gravitating to the discipline more.
As it relates to his chances at this year’s Olympics, Parchment is optimistic that once he stays healthy and focus he will do very well.
“There has been one small setback, but other than that it has been a good season so far, especially in background training. I have done a lot more than I usually do, so I think I am on a good path,” Parchment said. “So once I keep working and keep the focus I know I will be good for the rest of the season.”
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com