Ever wondered why the Racers Track Club in Jamaica hasn’t produced prominent female athletes?
Well, that could change soon, based on what Glen Mills, president and head coach, told The Gleaner yesterday. He pointed out that since its official launch a year and a half ago, the club has changed direction from being one that has focused on male athletes since its inception. Mills also explained that a plan was developed to create a strong female program and increase the membership of its women.
Mills, along with his team, currently conditions Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Jermaine Gonzales, Mario Forsythe, Marvin Anderson and Antigua’s Daniel Bailey, among several other men. Now, there are eight female athletes on the roster. Included among them are Jamaicans Rosemarie Whyte, a 2008 Beijing Olympics 400m finalist, relay gold medalist and 2009 IAAF World Championships 4×4 relay silver medalist; Davita Prendergast, a 2007 World Championships 4×4 relay silver medalist; Schillonie Calvert, a 2007 Pan American Games 100m bronze medalist; Sonita Sutherland, a 2007 World Junior Championships 400m silver medalist; and Shereefa Lloyd, a 2009 World Championships and 2008 Beijing Olympics 4×4 relay medalist.
Britain’s Olympic, World Championships and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Christine Ohuruogu also has joined Racers in her determination to resurrect her injury-plagued career in time for London 2012.
The head coach noted that it only has been a short time since the female athletes have joined, and that most of them have a number of challenges that are being worked on. He, however, expressed confidence in his program, stating that the women will maximize their potential in due course.
According to Mills, who is not a coach to rush the progress of athletes, it’s only a matter of time before the women come good, adding that their development was not something to be concerned about at this point.