‘Diamonds are made under pressure’

THE CHALLENGE of competing in the 800 and 1500 metres at the global level would intimidate most.

Most aren’t middle-distance runner Adelle Tracey.

Tracey is set to represent Jamaica in the women’s 800 and 1500 metres at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France, and says she is prepared.

She explained that her experience of doing the double at the Budapest World Championships last year prepared her for the Olympic Games this time around.

Tracey finished seventh in the 800 finals at the World Championships and fell just shy of a final spot in the 1500 when she placed seventh in the semi-finals.

“It is a tricky combination to strike in training, obviously making sure that I hit all those areas, but I did last year in Budapest, so I’m confident that I can do it again this year.”

She said her preparations this year have been mostly geared at the 1500 but that she has seen improvement over the shorter distance.

She explained that she has become a stronger runner in the 800 and has seen improvements in her speed in the 1500m.

“The training that I’m now doing is geared towards the 1500, but I’ve noticed that [that] has really brought on my 800 as well, having that added strength,” she explained.

“That is something that has brought me a lot of confidence, knowing that both events really help each other out, like the speed from 800 helping in the 1500 and the strength from the 1500 helping in the 800m.”

Tracey calls her first-ever Olympic Games a “dream come true”.

She was a torch-bearer at the 2012 London Games and had previously run Olympic-standard times for the 2016 Rio Games and 2021 Tokyo Games but did not compete.

Now realising her life-long dream, Tracey is ready to put her best foot forward.

“It is honestly a dream come true to go to my first Olympic Games for Jamaica, having become a world finalist and national record holder last year,” she said.

“It is another experience I’m excited to have representing Jamaica. The Olympics kind of feels like the championships I haven’t experienced yet, and I’m excited to see what I can do at these championships.”

Tracey said she feels no pressure wearing the black, gold, and green of Jamaica.

She explained that the expectations serve as motivation.

“I think it is great to know that you have the support of Jamaican fans behind you, with track and field being the number-one spot in Jamaica. I love the fact that it feels like the entire Jamaica is right there with you, and I don’t see that as pressure.

“For me, I always run best when I’m in high-pressure environments. Let’s say diamonds are made under pressure.”