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Future not looking very bright for Forte
July 16, 2016
Julian Forte competed at the recent JAAA/Supreme Ventures Limited National Senior Championships, the country's 'trials' to select the country's team to next month 's Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio, but he could end up being a tourist although he finished third in the men's 200m.
This is because the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, was among four athletes who were granted medial exemptions due to injuries sustained before or during the championships.
Under the JAAA's selection policy, Bolt who was ranked in the top three in the world for both the 100m and 200m at the time of the trials now needs to prove his fitness before the final decision is made during technical meetings on August 10 to decide on the athletes for each event.
individual race
The JAAA has until Monday to submit the final list of athletes who will journey to Brazil to represent the country, but even if Forte makes that list he is not guaranteed to get the opportunity to compete in an individual race.
If Bolt proves his fitness, as he is expected to do when next he competes in the 200m at the London Diamond League meet on July 22, he will join Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade as Jamaica's representatives in both the 100m and 200m with Forte and 20-year-old Jevaughn Minzie, who placed third in the 100m, having to give way.
"I trained 11 hard months to make the team, so my ultimate goal is to make the team and compete in an individual event at the Olympics. So it will definitely be disappointing if I don't get to go, but we will see," Forte told STAR Sports.
"I love doing what I do; I will go out there and give it my all every single time. I am just waiting on them (JAAA) to see how it goes, but I will always give my all for my country."
triple gold
Forte, however, acknowledged that Bolt, who is looking to win triple gold medals at a third straight Olympic Games this summer, does deserve his respect.
"At the end of the day you are talking about Usain Bolt," Forte said. "Anybody who has one of the three fastest times in the world for the year and is such an integral part of our team for years .... anybody who is in that position would be deserving (of a place)."
The other athletes who were granted medical exemptions at the nationals trials were Elaine Thompson, who after winning the 100m in a national record equaling 10.70, did not show for the 200m final, while 400m hurdler Janieve Russell and 110m hurdler Hansel Parchment sustained injuries prior to the championships.
