I’m going to give it all I’ve got – Hudson

PARIS, France

Two-time national champion Andrew Hudson knows of Jamaica’s recent barren run of medals in the 200 metres. In his second major global championship and in his Olympic debut, he hopes that he can help to turn the tide back in Jamaica’s favour.

Hudson will line up along with Bryan Levell in the first round of the men’s 200m at 12:55 p.m. Jamaica time. The frustration of missing out on the World Championships in Oregon in 2022 has faded and now he is focused on how well he can do on the biggest stage.

“I’m definitely excited. I keep thinking about when I was supposed to make the Oregon team running for Jamaica, but now to be here for the Olympic I’m excited and I’m happy that I could get here,” Hudson said.

Hudson’s transfer of allegiance was not approved in time for the Oregon meet, but his first World Championship appearance in Budapest saw him make his first World final.

It hasn’t been an ideal 2024 season for him as according to him he suffered an injury setback as he was poised to be breaking his personal best (19.87). He had only raced the 200m twice in May and returned in June in time for the national championships.

“I was in the shape before but this injury kind of halted me a bit. I had to go see Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt (German sports physician), my physio helped me a lot to get to this point,” Hudson said.

His season’s best effort was at the National Championships when he clocked 20.02 placing second to Bryan Levell who won the national title. Hudson says that while it has not been an ideal season, he is ready to leave it all on the track to try and end a 200m Jamaican men’s medal drought which has lasted since 2016.

“I haven’t had the greatest of seasons with injuries but nevertheless we are here now so there is no point in being negative it’s just being confident and ready to run.,” Hudson said. “I’m going to give it all I’ve got. I am also going to put in 100 per cent when I put on the Jamaican uniform.”