Keshorn Walcott, despite being a two-time Olympic medallist, still had the desire for more and carried the hopes of a nation yearning for its first medal at the Paris Games in France.
The 31-year-old thrower, who won the gold in London 2012, England, and a bronze in Rio 2016, Brazil, had to settle for seventh place in the men’s javelin event at the Stade de France yesterday.
Walcott was drawn to throw from position three of the 12 competitors. And as in 2012, Walcott set the place alight and led after round one with a throw of 86.16 metres. But unlike 2012, the lead only lasted one round, as first Grenada’s Anderson Phillip threw the spear at 87.87m, then Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, with a humongous throw of 92.97m to set a new Olympic record, turned the competition on its head.
Defending Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India responded with an 89.45 m, and Jakub Vadlejch with an 88.50 m was third as they entered the last eight.
There was only one change to the front three that started the last round of three throws, as Phillip was able to improve his throw to 88.54m to grab the bronze medal. It meant that Pakistani Nadeem was the new champion, with Chopra forced to settle for the silver medal.
Walcott dropped to seventh place after the first three throws and remained there to the end as his throws got progressively lower and lower. It was a brave effort from the Toco-born athlete, who had incurred a serious injury some eight months ago that required surgery.
“I felt a pain, and I knew it was my hamstring, and after such a good first throw, I just had to use my hands only after, and you can see my scores went down right after that. I did not want to cause any more pain, so I had to even pull out of my last throw,” Walcott told Guardian Media Sport.
“I believe it is a tear, but when it gets cold later I will have a better idea, but I am done for the season and will go home and rest; after all I have been through, I had to come here.”
Questioned on whether perhaps he returned to action too soon after the serious injury, Walcott responded, “I had no choice if I wanted to be here, so I had to go for it.”
Before Walcott won the title in 2012, it was considered a solely European sport. He became the first non-European to win, and that has led to victories and medals for athletes from Africa, Grenada, India, and, on this occasion, Pakistan, whether at Olympic events or World Championships. Walcott admitted that he has been a pioneer.
“Yes, that is true. It was totally a European sport, but now it is not just one person winning a medal, but like this time, it is all three medals. I really want to congratulate my good friend Anderson (Peters) for his success, although I wish it was a different colour, and he deserves it.”
When asked why no one in T&T has followed him in the sport, Wallace said, “The level of sports in our country is low at the moment, and there is no one in the javelin at the moment. Those that were there have dropped off.”
As to whether he had seen any progress or change in the eight years since he won T&T’s lone medal at the Rio Olympics, Walcott, shaking his head, said, “No, nothing has changed; just look at the number of athletes we have here this time around.”
At this year’s Games, T&T is being represented by 17 athletes.
He continued, not delving too deep into the problem. “I have to concentrate on me right now; maybe later on, if they ask me, then I can assist.”
For now, Walcott says his concentration is on next year’s World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
“I will take it year by year on that one,” said Walcott.
