Jodie Williams in Paris, her third Olympics
Paris was such an attention-grabbing one as a result of it was such a special expertise. For me, I’ve. I’ve solely as soon as been to a championship, only for a relay. Umm, it’s not one thing I significantly have ever loved doing. And like I stated, I believe I’ve solely ever finished it as soon as, and in some other years that I’ve had that’s unfolded, I’ve turned down the place. However for me, in 2024, nothing was going proper. I used to be operating very, very poorly all through the season. I used to be actually struggling mentally. Figuring out that I used to be additionally coming to the tip of my profession, it was arduous to push by way of to the tip, particularly an occasion as brutal because the 400. It’s difficult to push by way of when it’s not going proper.
And the 400 was simply hurting in a manner that they’d by no means actually harm me like that earlier than. I used to be having some bizarre signs occurring in my physique. So it was mentally difficult for me that 12 months, even attending to the tip of a 400. Each time I stood in line, I didn’t need to be there, and it was simply actually arduous, very arduous, and really painful. And once more, pure grit dragged me by way of. I had spoken to the selectors earlier than, and so they have been very very similar to, ‘We have to see one thing very, very huge from you at this champs.’
I managed to tug one thing out of the bag sufficient for them to contemplate me, after which we ended up with that medal with all 8 women on the rostrum, and it was only a distinctive expertise. And for me, it simply meant that as a result of I used to be simply there for a relay and I’m one of many older, extra skilled athletes, it was a really completely different function than I’m used to enjoying, and it was a blessing. Truthfully, it was so nice to expertise it from a special facet. Clearly, there’s nonetheless strain, however I knew there was much less strain on me than in a person occasion, so I felt like I may give the youthful athletes a bit extra time to be a bit extra of a information. And simply to essentially take pleasure in it for myself. Truthfully, it was my most fulfilling Olympics by far. So, it was an awesome expertise and a method to shut issues out.
The 2020 (or actually 2021) Video games had been such unusual ones. For me, that was – I don’t need to say closure – however it was nearly an affirmation of the athlete that I at all times thought I used to be, however I had by no means actually managed to tug it off. A lot of this sport is timing and luck in your facet – these issues have by no means actually been on my facet. I believe I’ve at all times had the expertise, and I’ve at all times been a really arduous employee, however loads of issues simply didn’t work out… simply the timing wasn’t there for me, or I used to be overthinking issues loads of the time.
So 2021 was simply a type of years, and I believe any athlete will let you know that generally you simply have these years the place every part is fantastically aligned. All the pieces simply went completely for me, even all the way in which from medaling at European Indoors towards clearly nice caliber athletes after which carrying that momentum outdoor. That season, nothing went mistaken, which is extraordinary, particularly for an athlete like me, and there have been loads of close to misses. Sure, I used to be carrying accidents by way of that entire 12 months that simply by no means solely went over the sting, so I used to be actually, actually fortunate. In earlier years, I’d had comparable accidents that I used to be nursing, then one race took me out, and I had managed to complete the season. So, I believe 2021 was simply a type of fantastically aligned seasons for me. I believe I solely had two in my profession. 2014 and 2021, the place issues simply went to plan. And for me, that Olympic last race was similar to an affirmation that, OK, we weren’t delusional, like, you truly are this good. You do belong racing this caliber of athletes, which settled one thing in my spirit.
Simply making this last alone, in a brand new occasion, and I’d solely run 4 400s earlier than that 12 months, I stepped up and medalled indoors after which was an Olympic finalist with two back-to-back 49s. I’d pulled a efficiency out of the bag when it mattered most each time. On the time, I used to be gutted that it wasn’t sufficient to get that medal, which might have been such a pleasant finish to such an awesome season, however I actually couldn’t be upset. I went for it, risked it, went out robust, and didn’t have the legs.
That you simply obtained your PR in Tokyo within the Olympic last (and beforehand your 200 PR in a European last) says one thing about your means to provide it when it issues.
I’ve at all times been a championship performer. And because it got here to the tip of my profession, I turned much more so. So I’ve at all times been somebody who wants a little bit of strain, and I simply want one thing on the road to tug it out of the bag, particularly within the 400. However I at all times discovered that my most glorious performances, in the event you have a look at most seasons, my season’s greatest will at all times be when it issues at trials and the championships. And it may very well be a bit dangerous, for certain. I’ve at all times been that athlete. Generally, I simply struggled to seek out the opposite races. I’m somebody who actually wants a purpose to be doing issues, and I have to be very passionate to have the ability to pull one thing out generally. For Diamond Leagues, I’m simply not motivated. Cash and stuff haven’t ever motivated me. So, I simply struggled to carry out in these races when nothing was at stake aside from cash.
Watch Jodie Williams speak extra concerning the Paris Olympics
