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Learning curve begins for White
published: Sunday | September 28, 2008
Rosemarie White (left) is greeted by Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange shortly after her arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport last week. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
OLYMPIC 4x400-METRES relay bronze medallist Rosemarie White believes this past season was a learning experience.
In June, at the National Championships, White, in her first season on the track, surprised all with her victory in the women's 400m. She registered a personal best of 50.05 to beat dethroned national champion Novlene Williams and Shericka Williams, who went on to win bronze in Beijing in a personal best 49.69.
At the Olympics, White looked nervous throughout the rounds but did well to reach the final. She opened with 51.00 for victory in her heat and then recorded 50.63 to qualify for the final as one of the fastest losers. In the final she ran 50.68 for seventh.
She hinted it was a surprise when she reached the final.
"The fact it was my first year, I thought it would have been difficult for me to make it to the final but I just went out there and did what I had to do," said White, who did the long jump, triple jump and heptathlon for Holmwood at Champs.
"I am very, very proud of myself, especially since no one expected me to make it to the final ... they believed it was my first year and I was not experienced," explained White.
"The experience was great. Knowing this was my first time at major Championship ... especially the Olympics, I am very proud of myself," explained White, who returned to the island on Monday after a long season.
White, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on September 8, said after her seventh-place finish in the final "to return and win bronze in the 1600-metre relay, I am very, very happy".
After the Olympics, White, a student at G.C. Foster College, had four races on the European circuit but the results were not impressive.
White was sixth in Zurich, Switzerland (51.73) and Lausanne, Switzerland (52.02). She was also fourth and fifth in Dubnica, Slovakia (52.26) and Zagreb, Croatia (52.43) respectively.
White, who was a member of Jamaica's 4x400m quartet that won the CARIFTA Games Under-17 title in 2002, said life on the circuit was tough.
"It was very challenging, especially since it was my first year having such a long season," said the Maurice Wilson-coached athlete. "You have to be focussed and relaxed on the big stage," she said. She also said she found one weakness this season she will have to work on.
"I think I have to improve on my first 200m, it's too slow," White said. "I have to run some 200m to get a little more speed."
published: Sunday | September 28, 2008
Rosemarie White (left) is greeted by Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange shortly after her arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport last week. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
OLYMPIC 4x400-METRES relay bronze medallist Rosemarie White believes this past season was a learning experience.
In June, at the National Championships, White, in her first season on the track, surprised all with her victory in the women's 400m. She registered a personal best of 50.05 to beat dethroned national champion Novlene Williams and Shericka Williams, who went on to win bronze in Beijing in a personal best 49.69.
At the Olympics, White looked nervous throughout the rounds but did well to reach the final. She opened with 51.00 for victory in her heat and then recorded 50.63 to qualify for the final as one of the fastest losers. In the final she ran 50.68 for seventh.
She hinted it was a surprise when she reached the final.
"The fact it was my first year, I thought it would have been difficult for me to make it to the final but I just went out there and did what I had to do," said White, who did the long jump, triple jump and heptathlon for Holmwood at Champs.
"I am very, very proud of myself, especially since no one expected me to make it to the final ... they believed it was my first year and I was not experienced," explained White.
"The experience was great. Knowing this was my first time at major Championship ... especially the Olympics, I am very proud of myself," explained White, who returned to the island on Monday after a long season.
White, who celebrated her 22nd birthday on September 8, said after her seventh-place finish in the final "to return and win bronze in the 1600-metre relay, I am very, very happy".
After the Olympics, White, a student at G.C. Foster College, had four races on the European circuit but the results were not impressive.
White was sixth in Zurich, Switzerland (51.73) and Lausanne, Switzerland (52.02). She was also fourth and fifth in Dubnica, Slovakia (52.26) and Zagreb, Croatia (52.43) respectively.
White, who was a member of Jamaica's 4x400m quartet that won the CARIFTA Games Under-17 title in 2002, said life on the circuit was tough.
"It was very challenging, especially since it was my first year having such a long season," said the Maurice Wilson-coached athlete. "You have to be focussed and relaxed on the big stage," she said. She also said she found one weakness this season she will have to work on.
"I think I have to improve on my first 200m, it's too slow," White said. "I have to run some 200m to get a little more speed."