More relaxed Tracey equals improved performances
Published:Sunday | August 27, 2023 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY:
THE KEY to Adelle Tracey’s strong World Athletics Championship campaign this year is having a whole lot of fun.
She will certainly be doing a lot of that today when she lines up in her first World Championship final in the women’s 800 metres, which is slated for 1:45 p.m. start on today’s final day.
According to Tracey, keeping the vibrant energy going and enjoying the moment has been the catalyst for her performances, which included a national 1500-metre record in the semi-final.
After she ran her personal best of 1:58.99 minutes in Friday’s 800 semi-final to book her spot in the final, she was still trying to come to terms with what she had achieved.
“I’m still in a state of shock. I honestly just wanted to have fun, and run my best race. I know I run best when I am just having fun. I’m so delighted to come away with a personal best. It is all I ever wanted,” Tracey said.
Jamaicans have quickly become accustomed to Tracey’s trademark grin every time she runs, but don’t be fooled though. That expression, Tracey explains, has nothing to do with the fun she is trying to have.
“There is a lot of pain behind that smile. Maybe just me subconsciously trying to trick myself. But honestly, I don’t have any control over what this is doing. I can’t explain it,” Tracey said.
But the enjoyment that she gets from competition has helped her a great deal and racing in the semi-final under lights gave her a rush to perform at her best. A similar atmosphere is expected when the curtains come down on the championships.
“I think that is the secret ingredient. Having fun is definitely underrated. It was amazing. I think I was so keen just to take everyone in. I felt like in the 1500m I had been dreading racing in the daytime and it was incredible just to see the whole stadium lit up. I was trying just to take in all the atmosphere and enjoy it.”