Bailey still feeling the fire as National Champs looms

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

IN a week's time, the island's top athletes will be seeking places on Jamaica's team to the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, when they compete in the JAAA Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships which will be held over four days at the National Stadium, starting on Thursday, June 23.

One athlete who will be hoping to be selected is the veteran Aleen Bailey, who will compete in the women's 100 and 200 metres events. She is one of the most experienced athletes around and the 30-year-old will be seeking to make it five World Championships in a row, after competing in Seville, Helsinki, Osaka and Berlin.

Despite negative sounds from her detractors that she will not make it this time around, based on the vast amount of young talent in the country in her events, and that she must retire because of her age, Bailey has sent out a warning that she will once again be on another World Championships team.

underestimated

"I like when people underestimate me because they have been doing this for the past 10 years and I have always proven them wrong, and I am very confident that I will make the team once more as my preparation has been going great," she said. Despite the likes of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kerron Stewart, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson, and upcoming stars like Schillonie Calvert, Jura Levy and Carrie Russell around she is still very upbeat.

"I have great respect for my teammates and I like competing with them, and I just have to be more aggressive as I have lost some of my aggression over the years, but I will be able to competitive with all of them," she continued.

With a season best of 11.22 seconds in the 100 metres and 22.89 seconds in the 200 metres, Bailey is ranked eighth and fourth, respectively, in both events among Jamaican women, but is not worried by her ranking going into the National Championships.

"I know that it will be very competitive but I have always risen to the occasion and I see no reason why this will not continue, and I am confident that I will be at least among the relay pool as the more I run the better I get," said Bailey.

the glue

Known as the glue for Jamaica 4x100 metres team over the years because of her great relationship with team members based on her experience and personality, Bailey is hoping to be in the top six in a bid for her fourth relay medal at this level, following bronze in Seville, silver in Helsinki and gold in Berlin. I am not just trying to make the relay but I will be hoping to make it individually in at least one of these events, especially the 200 metres, which is my 'baby', as I love this event," she stated.

Bailey also stated that at the moment she is not thinking about retirement as her goal is to also make it to the next Olympic Games in London before calling it a day.

"I definitely want to make it to the Olympics next year, which will be my third one, and after that I am hoping to call it a day so that I can concentrate on my foundation, the Aleen Bailey Foundation, and then hopefully to start a family," she said.

In closing, Bailey also sent out friendly words to her loyal fans who have supported her over the years.

"I love you all for the support you have given me over the years, and this support has motivated me, and I am confident that you will not be disappointed," she said.