Keshorn Walcott's mother Beverly was overjoyed at her son's historic performance yesterday, saying jokingly that she was lucky she did not have a heart attack after watching him capture this country's second gold medal ever at the Olympics. She said, however, she had expected him to get into the final eight. "I always expected him to get into the top eight and anything extra is a plus."
Speaking to Trinidad Guardian from her Toco home, Beverly Walcott said she told her son she is looking forward to the bouquet that Olympic winners receive. "I will be getting the flowers I asked him for if he gets on the podium. He said he could only get flowers if he gets a medal."
Walcott watched the event with Keshorn's father Eddie King, his brother Trenton and councillor for Toco/Fishing Pond Terry Rondon. She said Keshorn's other brother Elton-a triple jumper-was in San Juan but kept calling her during the competition. Walcott was joined at her home by mother Joyce Walcott-Charles, sisters Laurie Lee and Anna-Lee, other family members, villagers and members of the media who all gathered to celebrate the victory. There were chants of: "Gold! Gold! Gold!" in the background as she spoke. Walcott-Charles said her star grandson had to overcome the challenges of travelling to Port-of-Spain to train, as Toco does not have the facilities for him to practise his event. She paid tribute to his Cuban coach Ishmael Mastrapa Lopez, and manager Sean Roach. "Special thanks to Sean. He came here late in the night to ensure all was well with Keshorn and Elton. He was responsible for them moving to San Juan to train."
Keshorn's aunt Anna-Lee, a former javelin thrower who won several Carifta titles, said the new Olympic champion always wanted to beat her. "He wanted to do better than me. I went on scholarship in the USA, but got injured after and did not go any further." Anna-Lee said her nephew is focused and disciplined. "He proved himself, as some did not believe in him. As I looked at him after the win, he remained humble," she said.
