Jonielle Smith reflects on fan criticism
Published:Tuesday | October 1, 2019 | 12:09 AMAndrÈ Lowe/Sports Editor
DOHA, Qatar:
World Championships 100m finalist Jonielle Smith expressed disappointment with what she described as a lack of support from some fans ahead of her 100m campaign in Doha, Qatar, but felt proud of her efforts.
Smith finished sixth in a time of 11.06 seconds, matching her second-fastest time ever, in the event that was won by fellow Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.71), with another Jamaican, Elaine Thompson, 10.93, finishing fourth.
The silver medal went to Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, 10.83, while the Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou ran third in 10.90 seconds.
The 23-year-old Smith, who was looking for her first sub-11-second clocking, said that she was nonetheless pleased with her efforts and that it provided a solid platform for next season.
“Honestly, I felt like I was right there, but I went completely flat in the last part of the race, and this is a teaching moment for me – both me and my coach – to just shake up stuff next year so that I can be at my peak at the championships. But to run my second-fastest time twice, I think that’s pretty good. I am sixth in the world right now, based on the championships, and I am pretty happy with that,” said Smith, who is coached by Henry Rolle at the MVP International Track Club in Florida.
BETTER EXECUTION
“I need to execute better. I could get a start, no middle, and then I will finish strong, or I will get the start and no finish. I don’t think I have executed a proper 100m, and I think that is my biggest problem. I don’t know if it’s something psychological. I don’t know if it’s something that we need to focus more on in practice, but hopefully, my coach and I can sit down after the championships and go through it with a fine-toothed comb,” she added.
It was not quite the dream start to her international representation at this level.
Smith’s participation in the event was not confirmed until a couple of days before the start of competition because of the anti-doping disciplinary hearing regarding Briana Williams’ violation.
Williams had secured the automatic qualifying spot to compete in the event here after her third-place finish at the National Senior Championships, but it was later revealed that she tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide, effectively clearing the way for Smith’s participation in Qatar following her fourth-place finish at Trials.
The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel would eventually determine that Williams had no significant fault or negligence as the substance made its way into her system from contaminated tablets that were given to her by her guardian. It was also established that she had no intention to cheat.
MENTAL FORTITUDE
Smith was disappointed with the lack of support she received from some fans but underlined that she has learned a lot about her mental fortitude through this experience and noted that she was looking to push on from the experience.
“Honestly, I was doubting myself. I was on Facebook, and I saw a lot of comments saying that ‘Jonielle is not going to make the finals’ and so on. I felt disappointed, not only because I didn’t have a choice in the matter but the fact that I am a Jamaican also.
“It is very unfortunate what happened [with Williams], but at the end of the day, I would have liked to know that I have support from my own country. But I came out here and did what I had to do. I made the final, I came sixth, I did not close the gate, so I am honestly grateful and pleased. I just wanted the sub-11,” Smith shared.
“I am a person. I like to think that whatever you do in the past, you have to do it right here and now to beat me, so no matter what time I am coming here with, I feel like I have a whole lot of heart. I train hard. Mentally, I pressure myself too much, but I think it helps me out there because it gets me on my A game, and that really helped me at this championship, being so last-minute,” said Smith.