Veronica Campbell not done yet

Veronica Campbell not done yet
Photo by George Alleyne

Multiple Olympic medallist, Veronica Campbell-Brown, swooped down on Barbados for a sports conference, signed autographs of her new book, and assured admirers that she is far from done with competitive athletics.

The 36-year-old 100 and 200 metres specialist Jamaican sprinter who has three Olympic gold medals, a similar number of silver, and two bronze, gave birth to a daughter — her first child — some 10 weeks ago and found it necessary to let fans know that retirement from athletics is far from her mind at the moment.

“Right now, you can see I am not competing professionally but I have not thrown in the towel. At the end of the year I will think about that and make a decision about whether or not I want to go to train for the Olympics in 2020,” the Barbados Nation newspaper reported her saying following the book-signing Saturday.

Campbell-Brown was one of a dozen persons selected to make presentations to a two-day inaugural Caribbean High Performance Summit, which focussed on the benefits of proper nutrition combined with exercise, and the psychological state of mind of athletes.

Prior to her participation in the conference, the sprinter who also holds 11 World Championship titles, took time out to promote her most recent book at a downtown Bridgetown store.

The publication, ‘Inside Out: Activate The Power Within You,’ speaks more to Campbell-Brown’s highly religious side and less than athletic performances.

She said the book is not intended to be just inspirational to young people, “but also to highlight how great God is.”

“As a young girl… my Mom introduced me to the Lord and He has been the steward in everything I do.

“Throughout my career I never entered a race without praying. And whenever I faced challenges.

“By writing this book I am able to share some insights into what can lead to success and how a person can be mentally tough and mentally strong. It can just encourage people when they are not feeling good,” she said.

“I found my strength in the Bible.

“I get very emotional when I talk about God.”

This is the ace sprinter’s second book, having published ‘A Better You, Inspirations For Life’s Journey’ some years back.