Deeply disappointed Clayton vows to rise again

"Mi bawl fi couple days", said two-time World Championships bronze medallist Rushell Clayton, lamenting over leaving the 2024 Paris Olympics Games without a medal.

Crossing the line at fifth position in the finals at this year's Games is not what the second fastest Jamaican woman in the 400m hurdles had in mind.

"It would be a lie to say that I am not sad walking away from the Olympic Games without a medal," Clayton said in an Instagram post yesterday.

In spite of the woes, she still seeks to reap joy from the experience.

Clayton said: "However, I'm extremely grateful and thankful that I was able to run three solid races which is inclusive of my second and third fastest times ever. I ran that final with pure confidence and a big heart yet I fell short. It's kinda crazy because I've been having the best year of my career."

The United States' Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won in a world record 50.37 seconds, while her countrywoman Anna Cockrell placed second in 51.87 to beat the Netherlands' Femke Bol (52.15), who had been favoured to claim the silver. Another American, Jasmine Jones, placed fourth in 52.29.

All three Americans were recording personal bests.

Clayton clocked 52.68 seconds for fifth, her second best time of the season.

She ran a lifetime best 52.51 to claim the Jamaica National Championship.

Still, Clayton says not securing a medal at the Paris Olympics will not take away the joy she feels in representing the island.

"It was my utmost pleasure representing team Jamaica on the biggest stage ever," she said. "If the hurt comes, so will happiness. I will forever exercise patience knowing that the Lord has my back always."

Clayton is a two-time World Championship bronze medal winner and while the battle at the Olympics might be lost, the war is still on and the Jamaican is refocusing to finish the season on a high note.

"I still got a hella races before the season ends and crazy goals to achieve. See you in a few days. Writing my story," she said.

Clayton also thanked all who have supported her during this hard time.

"Shout out to all y'all who sent me encouragement and love, it was felt and appreciated," she said.

Her training team Elite Performance Track Club number among those who showed their appreciation to Clayton for her Olympics performance.

"'At least a podium finish.' I'm sure these are words you have said to yourself over this championship.

"We have seen you in training and the way you have pushed your body day after day. We share your disappointment," the club said in an Instagram post.

"Training is hard, winning is hard, not winning is hard, getting up and going again is probably the hardest, but we can do hard things. The season isn't done and we must push on," Elite continued in its post. "You have represented yourself exceptionally well and you have made us and the rest of Jamaica proud."