After life-threatening accident, sprinter Campbell happy to be back

THE 2017 World Championship 4x100m team member Michael Campbell is feeling good, as he continues his journey back to full speed.

Injured in a car accident over two years ago, Campbell says it’s wonderful to be back.

Speaking on Saturday at the Purewater/Jamaica College (JC)/R Danny Williams Invitational, the University of Technology (UTech) sprinter, who helped his alma mater Jamaica College win the 4x400m relay at the 2016 Penn Relays, was in a joyful mood.

“I’m going great so far,” he shared with regard to his journey back from the severe back injuries he suffered in a late 2017 car accident. “I’m just looking forward in 2020 to see what can come out of training and stuff like that.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

The accident happened after a promising 2017 campaign that saw him blossom at UTech. He ran 10.43 seconds for fourth in the Class One 100m final at Champs and 20.81 seconds in the 200m semis before taking the bronze. He accelerated at UTech to 10.07 seconds and at the World Championships in London, he delivered the baton to the retiring Usain Bolt in the heats of the sprint relay.

Tragically, the accident took the life of Campbell’s teammate Jordan Scott.

Asked about his current fitness, he said candidly, “I wouldn’t say I’m back 100 per cent, but I’m getting there. It’s a wonderful feeling to sometimes go at max, so I’m just being happy that I’m here and in the sport again.”

With his speed coming back, Campbell is cautiously eyeing Tokyo and this year’s Olympic Games.

“It’s always going to play a part in your mind. If you make a World Championship team, then you’re looking forward to making an Olympic team and become an Olympian, so that’s always in the back of my mind but if I achieve it, that’s very great for me,” shared the former May Day High School and JC student-athlete.

If he does qualify for the 2020 Olympic team, he will be following in the footsteps of a namesake.

Sixteen years ago in Athens, Greece, at the 2004 Games, former Ardenne High School star Michael Campbell ran the first leg of the men’s 4x400m relay.

Asked for a message for persons facing adversity like he did, Michael paused and then proposed, “the sky is not the limit. It’s definitely not the limit. It’s how far you can push yourself.”