Twenty-year-old T&T sprinter Kai Selvon says she feels honoured to be representing this country at the 2012 Olympics being hosted in London. The La Seiva, St Joseph native lives in Auburn, Alabama, where she is studying Industrial Design at Auburn University. Selvon clocked the fifth fastest time in the US at the 2012 NCAA Indoor All American 60m/200m race in 23.15 seconds, and is now gearing up to represent T&T in relay action. She will be accompanied by Kelli-Ann Baptiste, Semoy Hackett and Michell Lee Ayhe on the track.

“It feels like a great accomplishment. The biggest goal you have as a runner is to make it to the Olympics so now that I’ve made it there I feel like I’ve accomplished it and I can show the younger ones coming up that they should believe that everything is possible with God.” She says her calling as a sprinter was manifest since she was a pre-schooler. “I won a race at a sports day in kindergarten and then when I went on to primary school, my teacher Mr Macoom introduced me to athletics.” As the years went by she explored and excelled at it.

Music and a good laugh
But while it may appear that way, Selvon doesn’t breathe, eat and sleep sprinting. She says she passes her time listening to music and spending time with family. And she enjoys a good laugh. “I’m jovial. People always see me with a serious face but really and truly I love to laugh. I like beating the drums as well,” she said. Now, with her sights set on gold, Selvon who credits her mother, Debbie and her three brothers for helping her literally stay on track even when she felt like giving up, is keeping her eyes on the prize. “I suffered two injuries prior to this so it was a little difficult,” she said. “I still have to keep that positive mindset that everything will work out and I have to trust in my coach.”

Culture shock
Selvon says when she first took up residence in the US, the transition was difficult. However, over the years she has accepted the fact that her life abroad allows for greater opportunities for both her and her family. “It was rough three years ago when I first went there. I had a real culture shock,” she said, noting that Auburn was quiet as compared to the excitement she had left behind in T&T. “Now I have mixed feelings about living abroad. I miss the liming and the fun and being with my family but I appreciate the fact that I can do so much more out there for my family and my life.”

-Aba A Luke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt