James eyes continuous improvement ahead of 2024 Olympics

XIAMEN, China (CMC):

Former World and Olympic champion Kirani James says he is focused on progressive improvement, with next year’s Paris Olympics in mind, after capturing the 400 metres at the Xiamen Diamond League.

The 31-year-old Grenadian raced to a season-best 44.38 seconds to also establish a new meet record at the Egret Stadium last weekend, beating American Quincy Hall (44.38) into second, with Jamaican Rusheen McDonald (44.82) finishing third.

James endured a disappointing campaign at the World Championships, which ended last week in Budapest, when he could only finish fifth in the final won by Jamaican Antonio Watson.

“I am feeling good, feeling very excited,” said James, a World champion in 2011 before becoming Olympic champion a year later.

“[I am] very grateful for the opportunity, and love and support. I knew I was capable of winning, I just come out here to execute and do my best.

“I am excited with this [season best]. I feel it is well deserved. I have been putting in so much work. I came from the World Championships, [where] I knew I was able to get a medal and win it, too.

“I feel like ‘just be myself, come to this meeting with no question’. I just came here to execute what I am capable of, I am ready to do that.”

James has medalled at every Olympic Games since his London conquest, producing silver in Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020.

In the twilight of a heavily decorated career, James said focus would be critical in the build-up to the Paris showpiece.

“For this season, there has been ups and downs, but that’s the nature of sports. It is about sticking it out, keep executing and stay at it.

“It is the Olympic Games next year, I just want to keep getting better. Everybody wants to win.

“The gold is everybody’s dream. Go home with a medal; that’s everybody’s dream. I am so happy to have the opportunity to go there, and I will make the best of it.”