Ricketts’ commitment to the process has brought Olympic success

PARIS, France:

For Shanieka Ricketts, the heartbreaking memories of Tokyo three years ago are now a thing of the past. Now, with history made, she is not only grateful of the impact she has made, but excited about the future that lies ahead for women’s triple jump in Jamaica.

Ricketts completed her collection of medals, winning Olympic silver in the women’s triple jump final on Saturday in a season’s best effort of 14.87 metres. World Indoor champion Thea LaFond of Dominica captured gold in a national record of 15.02m, making it a proud night for the Caribbean. It was Dominica’s first-ever Olympic medal.

Ricketts has been chasing Olympic success for the past 12 years and the two-time World Championships silver medallist was denied a podium place at the Tokyo Games in 2021 by a narrow margin. It was a result that was crushing, but something that has fuelled her way to becoming the first Jamaican man or woman to win an Olympic medal in the event.

“Going into any Olympic Games, you never know what might happen. I was a favourite to medal, but everybody has been jumping well and I just got knocked out (2021). So I just figured that tonight (Saturday) could go the same way,” Ricketts said. “Because up until last night (Friday), it played on my mind and I was like ‘I can’t let it happen again.’ So it was a constant reminder. And as the rounds progressed I made sure that didn’t happen,” Ricketts said.

Toughest competition

Ricketts missed out on the podium as well last year at the World Championships in Budapest after what she called the toughest competition that she has ever faced. Even in a season where she was concerned that she was not hitting her marks, she remained committed to the process, which has now brought her success.

“This is a dream of mine. I think it’s every athlete’s dream to be an Olympic medallist. The season wasn’t exactly what I wanted it to be. Training was going good and everything, but during competition I wasn’t getting the distances. I just had to trust, I had to believe. I just had to put in the work. And that’s what I did,” Ricketts said.

Her history-making performance has her excited about the future, which she sees in Ackelia Smith, who participated in her first Olympic final and her second major global final. She finished seventh. However, Ricketts sees a bright future for her when she decides to step away from the sport.

“It means everything to be a role model to other persons. To know that when I decide to move away from the sport it is in safe hands ... it means a lot to me,” Ricketts said.