Anthony Foster,Freelance Writer
Fenton
LORRAINE FENTON, the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games silver medallist, is back in training after almost eight months on the sidelines.
"Yes, I am back in training at home in the Carolinas," Fenton told The Gleaner in an email interview.
Fenton missed last summer's Olympic Games with a thigh injury.
"The injury was diagnosed as a tear of the quadriceps," Fenton said. She said she picked up the injury in May of 2004 at what she described "as a low-key meet in Fairfax, Virginia".
PATIENCE
"Considering that athletics has been an integral part of my life, it has been difficult. However, I have applied patience," she said of the recovery period. However, although she has been back in training since January and may be in race condition, the many-time national 400m champion has no plans for the indoor this season and is preparing for the outdoor season which starts in early May.
"I usually do not open up until May so I will stick to that plan," explained the national 400m record holder.
Her agent, Claude Bryan, confirmed she will be on the track in May. "As her agent, I am in the process of negotiating appearances for her," said Bryan.
Fenton said missing last summer's Games was difficult for her.
"Considering that I was at the previous Games, it was a bit difficult to watch as opposed to participating. However, I just had to accept that I could not be in Athens."
However, she took heart from the Jamaica team's performances. "It was good to see the team performing as well as it did, so many medals and individual finalists. As a Jamaican, you could not help feeling a sense of pride."
It's another major year for track and field, with the World Championships in Helsinki; June's National Champion-ships will decide Jamaica's representatives.
"The plan is to be ready (for National Championships)," the 2001 World Championships silver medallist said, but her main aim for this season is "staying injury free."
Fenton, who turns 33 in September, said she has no plans to leave the sport.
"I will run a few more years then walk away," she said.
"Considering that athletics has been an integral part of my life, it has been difficult. However, I have applied patience."
