‘Mi feel really really sad’ - Hansle Parchment’s dad rues World Champs bad luck

On Sunday night as the 110m hurdles final was underway at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, no pot covers were being knocked together in Port Morant, St Thomas.

A huge feeling of disappointment hung over the households, including that of Hensle Parchment, father of Olympian Hansle Parchment. The hurdler, who was a crowd favourite, clipped a hurdle and hurt his hamstring as he was warming up for the final. American Grant Holloway, who Parchment beat to the gold medal at last year's Olympics, clocked 13.03 seconds to run away with the gold medal. Parchment created an upset at the Olympics by beating Holloway who was the 2019 World Champion.

"Mi feel really really sad. Everybody feel sad because he was injured and didn't get a chance to beat Grant Holloway and we did want him to beat him again. Holloway was really glad that Parchment was injured because he knew he couldn't have carried home the gold, but a just one a dem ting deh still," the senior Parchment said.

He added that he has not got a chance to speak to his son following Sunday's disheartening ordeal but said he is sending him his love.

"I would want to tell him to be more careful although he was just warming up still. I don't think there is nothing he could have done. We are not and will never give up on him. When mi see him lay down and look like him in pain, I never feel good at all man. I was heartbroken to know that he work so hard and he didn't make it," he said.

He stressed that Port Morant is usually full of life and vigour during track and field events but the area is currently dim.

"Everyone was looking forward to watching him run, so last night [Sunday] the entire community was quiet, and, even this morning [Monday], it very quiet too. We haven't lost hope and we know that he will come back bigger and better. We want him to know that we love him," Parchment said.