AREN SPENCER has his eyes set on the 2024 Olympic Games.
And the 14-year-old is well on that path having captured the victor ludorum title with 38 points at the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championships at the National Stadium last Friday.
Though a bit fatigued, Spencer told SUNSPORT he had achieved his short-term goal.
“I’m exhausted right now. My focus leading up to the championship was to capture the victor ludorum title and I am happy that I pulled it off,” he said.
“I just worked hard. I had training on different days which involved strength training,” which he revealed he did with the help of the Velocity Management coach on evenings.
Though it was sometimes problematic to cope with the demands of school and training he said his parents were very supportive.
“It was obviously very difficult. I had to get home as early as possible after training to do my homework. My parents supported me, especially with my diet, because I am allergic to a lot of things. My mother helped me to focus.”
Spencer said he was hoping to run the CARIFTA Games qualifying mark next year and had a dream to compete at the 2024 Olympics. But looking back he never expected to be on this journey.
“I ran in the NAPSAC Under-7 [division] but I never did outstandingly well.
“When I got to secondary school, in Under-13, I ran a 400 at physical education and ran a very good time – that’s when my coach at Harrison College started training me,” he said.
At this year’s championships, he won three gold medals and one silver. His success included a new record time in the Under-15 Boys’ 100 metres hurdles of 14.51 seconds. (RG)