Coleman: McLeod eager to secure podium finish at World Champs

After a fifth-place finish in last year’s Tokyo Olympics 400 metres final, veteran local coach Fitz Coleman says freshly minted national champion Candice McLeod is eager to secure a podium finish at this month’s World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Coleman, McLeod’s coach for the past three and half years, said the 25-year-old has learned a lot from participating in last year’s Olympic Games and therefore she is much better prepared mentally and physically going into this year’s World Championships.

“I do hope that she will come back with a medal. It doesn’t matter what colour, we are working towards being on the podium,” said Coleman.

“I am hoping that when she goes there that she will make every single moment on the track count and once that happens then the sky’s the limit for her,” he said.

McLeod produced a strong season’s best 50.29 seconds to win the national 400m title last month ahead of Stephenie Ann McPherson (50.49) and Charokee Young (50.76).

McLeod, who has personal best time of 49.51, is currently the third-fastest Jamaican over the distance this season. Only Young, 49.87, and Stacey-Ann Williams, 50.18, have run faster this year. Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino is the fastest woman in the 400m this season with a time of 49.49.

Coleman, who is the head coach of UWI Pelicans, pointed out that McLeod’s win at the National Championships has also given her a lot of confidence going into this year’s World Championships.

“The national title was a first for her and that in itself is good for her,” he said. “She has been training well and I think she is stronger than she was last year,” Coleman said.

“In fact, I think when you compare last year and this year, she is way ahead and she seems much more confident and more in control of how she is running and I think that she will perform well,” he said.

Coleman also noted that the former Vere Technical and Papine High student takes a lot of pride in her training and therefore she is very focused and determined to succeed at the highest level in the sport.

“She has always been very passionate about it and always wants to be successful at the highest level,” he said.

“She has used last year’s experience to motivate her for this year and that has been going well and she is definitely working really hard to be among the top three in Eugene,” he said.