Pickering Long jumper overcomes nerves
Aug 19, 2008 - 07:58 AM
Brad Kelly
BEIJING -- Tabia Charles can sit down and enjoy a meal for at least the next couple of days.
Unable to get much food down leading up to the start of the women's long jump, the Pickering resident booked a spot in Friday's final after qualifying ninth overall with a top jump of 6.61m in Tuesday morning's qualifier at the National Stadium in Beijing.
"The jitters are still there," said the 23-year-old shortly after learning she will be among 12 jumpers competing for gold. "This morning I could barely eat, and last night I could barely eat."
The qualifying standard was set at 6.75m, but only a few of the jumpers were able to surpass that distance, among them Brittney Reese of the United States, who recorded the longest jump of the morning at 6.87m. The second standard allows the top-12 performances to advance.
For Charles, getting to an Olympic final left her searching for the right way to describe the feeling.
"The dream was to make it here, so I have surpassed any goal I have set for this year," she said. "I am just flabbergasted. I just can't believe it. It feels good."
The fact that she has to wait three days before getting into the pit again is a little out of the norm. At most international events, the finals are held right after the qualifier, she said. But because this is the Olympics, and more than 40 athletes were entered, the qualification round took longer than most.
"I would prefer to do it now and get it over with. I've never had to wait in between," said Charles, who also recorded jumps of 6.33m and 6.49m in three attempts. "
Over the next couple of days, she plans to relax, try to eat, and catch up with all her supporters. She laughed when asked about getting advice, noting that the list offering some is a long one, including her father, boyfriend, best friends, aunt and brothers.
The advice is well intended.
"Anything is possible," she said of the common theme. "They tell me 'You are just as good as the rest of them.'"
Turns out they are right.
Friday's final is scheduled for Friday at 7:20 p.m.
-- Brad Kelly is covering the Olympics for Metroland Durham Region Media Group. Read Brad's Beijing blog here and send him a message with your comments on the games.
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