Pryce ‘feeling good’ after first run at Games

PARIS, France

In her Olympic Games debut, national 400 metres champion and record holder Nickisha Pryce was measured in her approach and only focused on the present as she began her bid for gold in Paris yesterday.

Pryce secured passage to the semi-finals of the women’s 400m, winning her heat in 50.02 seconds in a comfortable performance. Pryce has had a strong season so far and entered her first Olympic Games as the world leader with 48.57 seconds after breaking the national record twice so far this season.

That world lead mark was set at her final event before the Olympics, the Diamond League in London, where she beat a stacked field that included the likes of Natalia Kaczmarek and Lieke Klavier, both ranked in the top 10 this year.

While feeling the nerves at her first Olympic Games, Pryce said that she had to refocus herself, knowing that she belonged on the big stage with the best in the world.

“I was a bit nervous. But I can’t always be nervous. I have done this before with all these talented girls. So I just had to go out there and believe in myself,” Pryce said.

That belief has taken her to her second consecutive major senior championships in a row, following her exploits at the World Championships in Budapest last year. She finished fifth in the semi-finals of the 400m but helped Jamaica to secure 4x400m relay silver.

Her chase for glory started measured, not worried about running in the outside lane and not getting ahead of herself, knowing that there is still work to be done.

“It’s kind of tough running in lane eight. But a lane is just a lane. I’m feeling good, so let’s see if I make the final. No pressure. Let’s see,” Pryce said.

Her national teammates, Stacey Ann Williams and Junelle Bromfield, all secured automatic qualifications to the semi-finals on Wednesday afternoon Jamaica time.