Jehue looks to jump-start 2017 season

Gordon has been training in the US with Lawrence “Boogie” Johnson over the past eight months and he is hoping the new training programme will bear fruit.

Gordon said, “At the Open Championships this weekend I just plan to jump-start my season a little bit more because I have not raced that much this year. This weekend is actually a guide to see where my body is at after adjusting to a new culture – a new training programme in the United States.” Gordon’s most memorable moment came at the 2013 World Championships when he won gold in the 400m hurdles.

Unfortunately, the 25 year old has been plagued with injury since then. In 2015, he had surgery on his lower abdominals and last year suffered back problems.

Gordon said those health issues, along with a lack of support for local athletes, have made his career challenging. “I won the world title in 2013. I faced some difficulties over the last couple years adjusting to a new body. (Other things) have to be taken into to account, the lack of support for the athletes here has made things a lot more difficult. We really don’t have that ease to say that we completely stress free.” Gordon knows the competition this weekend will be keen. He is especially looking forward to competing against Kern Alexis who Gordon described as a talented athlete.

“In a World Championships (year) everybody wants to make the team. At the end of the day, whoever wants it the most, probably might get it because it is tough right now.” Despite the lack of financial support, Gordon is always excited to compete at home. “It is always good to come in front your home crowd. Just seeing your family in the stands screaming for you, your friends, the people who care about you the most. The fans, the loyal supporters it is always great.”