Inspirational

When the 2009 World Championships begins next Friday in Berlin,Germany, Ramon Gittens will be there representing Barbados in the 100m and the 200m.

At the age of fifteen while a student of the Lester Vaughan School in the same parish, he had his first foray into track and field. Physical Education teacher Alwyn Babb saw him "just running 'round" and encouraged him to try out for the school team in the sprints which started his life of track and field.

When I asked him how he felt about making his first global meet as a senior, he answered ,"Well I am very excited about attending a global meet as a senior. I just want to be as successful as possible whether it is making the finals or obtaining a personal best ( PB)."

Ramon believes that being an international student in the United States of America " can be very hard" but realizes that this gives these students " an idea of what life is about." Some hardships include staying up late with assignments,travelling to track meets during classtime and putting in extra school work.

He is of the belief that there is nothing wrong with collegiate athletes becoming professional " as long as they get their college degree." To him education is "very important" in this world and track is a funny sport with injuries always around the corner.

The little boy from Walkes Spring by way of the Lester Vaughan School and now St.Augustine University believes he has trained hard,is dedicated to his craft and looks forward to some great performances in Berlin,Germany.