A hero's welcome for Odail Todd - Hanover celebrates with its world youth champion
Published:Thursday | July 14, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator
WESTERN BUREAU:
If Clarett Todd had her way, her son Odail would not be an athlete.
But the 17-year-old son of Cave Valley in Hanover was determined to prove his mettle in sports, and also improve his academic performance, which was of great concern to his mother.
"I wanted to pull him from the track programme because his school work was not where it should have been," Mrs Todd told The Gleaner yesterday.
"But I tell you, he's a determined child and he managed to balance running and school. (On) His last report, he placed first in his class."
Yesterday, the proud mother sat with her son at a homecoming ceremony organised by his school family at the Green Island High School, to recognise Odail's gold and silver run in the 100 and 200 metres, respectively, at the just-concluded World Youth Championship (WYC) in Lille, France.
"I feel very good, almost speechless about how I feel about his success," Mrs Todd said.
"I fasted and I prayed for him a lot because the situation at home is not pretty and for him to come through it all. It is a blessing and it is God himself."
The special function for Odail and his coach, Michael McIntosh, was outside of the teenager's comfort zone, which he described as being "low key and humble".
The last of his mother's five children, Odail said the gesture made him feel appreciated.
"I come from a humble home and this celebration makes me feel great," he said. "Thanks to God for allowing everything to be."
Odail said he is kept grounded by his family with whom he worships at the Cave Valley Deliverance Centre every Sunday and that he looks up to athlete, Asafa Powell.
Custos of Hanover Dr David Stair; member of parliament for Western Hanover, Ian Hayles; Mayor of Lucea Lloyd Hill; constituency caretaker Donovan Hamilton; Green Island High School's board chairman and director, Wayne Williams and Joseph Smith, along with teachers, students and residents, were also present to share in the festivities for Odail.
The WYC double medallist will be in the starting blocks for Jamaica next week when he goes to Miami to participate in the Pan Am Games.