Denise Reid, Staff Reporter

Anderson

Switching from football to track and field shortly after gra-duating from high school, Marvin Anderson is now a bonafide star of the track.

Unfortunately, at the just concluded Beijing Olympics Anderson, who was expecting to do well in his pet event - the 200m, was injured and was not able to compete.

However, he is glad for the experience and hopes to achieve great things at next year's World Championships.

The young sprinter who is now the Commonwealth 200m champion recently told The Gleaner that though making the transition from football to track was a difficult one, it is a sacrifice he is not sorry he made.

Great experience

"So far I've experienced great dividends," said the athlete. "Track and field has offered me a great experience not just on the track, but in life itself and I'm very grateful for that," he continued.

At this year's Olympics, Anderson suffered from a hamstring strain that prevented him from moving past the second round qualifiers. Nevertheless, the former William Knibb Memorial High sprinter, who now trains with national track and field head coach Glen Mills, is optimistic and told The Gleaner that he is now in preparation mode for next year's World Championships, to be held in Berlin, Germany.

"I'm looking forward to doing great things, I'll be all right," he said.

Anderson admitted that triple world-record holder, Usain Bolt, has set the bar so high that he cannot be certain of mining gold.

"Usain has set the bar so high, it's ridiculous. It's hard for anyone to say they're gonna beat Usain anytime soon."

For now, Anderson said he is focused on working hard and looking to see where his efforts will take him.