Dacres racing to be ready for Olympics

Discus thrower Fedrick Dacres says that he will do whatever it takes to accelerate his recovery from his wrist injury in time for the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Dacres confirmed that he tore a ligament in his left hand in October in what he described as a ‘freak accident’ after a bad fall. Surgery was done to repair the damage, and he says he faces a maximum of six months out of action as he continues to recover.

“I just had a bad fall in the bathroom,” he said. “I put down my hand, and based on weight, it kind of snapped. So I tore a ligament, just a small ligament in my hand, but it’s a problem. Basically, they are saying that I can be out for three to six months, but based on that, I still have time to get back. I just have to work harder than everybody else.”

Dacres’ 2020 season was hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, forcing him into five months of inactivity since his last event in March. Dacres said that the injury was unfortunate and is awaiting the removal of his cast to begin the rehabilitation process.

“I’m just using all my resources to get back,” he said. “I can do nothing because it’s really healing at this point. So I have up until the end of December to [remove] the cast then we have time. So, I’m trying to get as much training as I can, in terms of lower body, done so when I actually start back with upper body, I’m not as behind as I would have been.”

He managed to return to competition in August at two Velocity Fest meets at the National Stadium, winning both events in 64.45m and 61.21m. Dacres has already qualified for Tokyo, like his countrymen Traves Smikle and Chad Wright, who have met the qualifying standard of 66.00m.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com