Bahamian long distance runner O’Neil Williams will likely have one final shot to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games in the men’s marathon on time, and he’s prepared to take full advantage of it.
Williams, who had to pull up in the Marathon Izmir 2021 in Izmir, Turkey, last week Sunday, as he was bothered by Achilles tendonitis, said his recovery efforts have been progressive, and he feels he’ll be ready to go in about a month’s time. He’s registered for the 19th running of the Brescia Art Marathon, set for May 30, 2021, in Brescia, Italy. The qualifying deadline for the Olympics for the men’s marathon is a day later – May 31, 2021.
Williams said he feels about 80 percent health-wise, and is confident he’ll be ready to go on May 30.
“I haven’t lost any fitness. I’ve been doing active recovery with therapy and it’s been going real good. Also, I was able to get in some rest so I feel like I’ll be prepared,” said Williams. “I will be in better shape for the next race for sure. It’s just about resuming and being in a position to compete. I know I could go out there and qualify. I just need to get to the race and be comfortable. If the leg could hold up, I’m pretty sure that I could go out there and qualify.”
As it stands, the Olympic hopeful, now 38, is about 18 minutes short of qualifying, recording a personal best run of 2:29.28 at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2019. He initially broke Delroy Boothe’s long-standing national record of 2:34.47 at the 35th Ameris Bank Jacksonville Marathon in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2017, running 2:30.35.
With just about six weeks to go before the running of the Brescia Art Marathon in Italy, Williams believes the time is now to finally realize his goal of qualifying for the Olympics – something he feels he would have accomplished by now with the desired support. He has been attempting to qualify for the Olympics in the men’s marathon for the past two years. The qualifying time for the Olympics is 2:11.30.
“I just have to pace myself properly, get therapy and train properly. I’m going there to compete and I think that it is going to be quite a show. The only thing I could do is go out there and hope that it (Achilles) doesn’t flare up again. I have
minimal discomfort right now so I feel optimistic that I’ll be ready. I’m staying confident and positive and just moving forward,” he said.
Williams said a lack of financial support from the Government of The Bahamas through athlete subvention has been a major blow in his journey to qualify for the Olympics, becoming the first Bahamian to do so in a long distance event.
“Getting on developmental subvention is crucial in my ability to move forward. That’s all I’m asking for,” he said. “Had I gotten support from 2017 when I ran 2:30 in the marathon, I would have been able to comfortably run 2:08-2:09 now. If I had the financial support, I would have been qualified for the Olympics by now. It’s been quite difficult. It’s unfortunate, but I’ve been hanging in there. Hopefully, I could get the support going forward and be in a position where I could just concentrate on the races.”
The Brescia Art Marathon on May 30 also features a 10-kilometer run and a half marathon. Williams holds the national record in both. In fact, he has 10 outdoor national records to his credit. He said he is grateful for the support that he has received and is asking for continued prayers and well-wishes as he embarks on this final qualifying attempt for the Summer Olympic Games which is set for July 23 to August 8, in Tokyo, Japan. The men’s marathon will be held on the final day of the Olympics.
“I’m thankful for the support that I have received – my mother Dawn Knowles; my adopted father Dionisio D’Aguilar (Minister of Tourism and Aviation); my coach Wilson Bain; Shavaughn Blades from Bahamas Roadmasters; my Member of Parliament Glenys Hanna-Martin and all those who have come forward to assist,” said Williams. “I just want them to know that I’m still here competing and representing the country well. It’s hard to overcome this type of situation without the financial backing, but I’m continuing to fight this battle in order to represent the country that I love so much.”
Williams has been in Iten, Kenya training for the past 10 years in hopes of becoming the first Bahamian to ever qualify for the Olympics, or any world championships event, in marathon running.
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source https://thenassauguardian.com/one-last-chance-for-williams/
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