PARIS, France:
NOT MANY can say that they are an Olympian at age 18.
That experience makes the British Virgin Islands’ Adaejah Hodge optimistic. Hodge’s first Olympic Games saw her go the semi-finals of the women’s 200 metres. It was the second consecutive major senior championship of a promising career, having competed in Budapest last year at the World Athletics Championships.
Hodge said the weight of the moment and the stage were things she will need to get used to, as managing it will be key to any success she may have.
“I need to work on my mental strategy. That has been challenging at a big meet like this. So that is honestly what I am going to go back and work on for future events,” Hodge said.
“It’s very hard to look into the crowd and seeing 50,000 and everyone screaming. So, definitely being comfortable in a situation like that with fans and definitely allowing myself to be normal, to be Adaejah Hodge and to feel comfortable.”
Hodge, who completed her first season at the University of Georgia has a strong background in the junior ranks. She was introduced to the Caribbean at the Carifta Games in 2022 when she won both the 100- and 200-metre under-17 titles and was the Austin Sealy award winner.
The British Virgin Islands native used the repechage round to advance to the semi-finals of the Olympic Games. However, she was eighth in a semi-final draw that included newly crowned Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred.
Hodge is grateful for the experience and how she managed herself before and during the events. It is something that she will seek to use when she competes at the World Under-20 Championships in Peru later this month.
“I was talking to myself to make sure I was amped up. And it seemed to work because I actually lowered my time. So, finding exercises like those to prepare me before the race. And, during the race, just trust in my training, trust in what I have been doing leading up to this point. I am only 18 so I am just looking forward to the next meet, which is the under-20s, and hopefully I can dominate there,” Hodge said.
“Well, I know I am going to dominate there.”