Saturday, December 16, 2006

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

NASSAU, Bahamas: Veteran sprinter Pauline Davis-Thompson, the sports ambassador for the Ministry of Tourism in Atlanta, Georgia, has told her fellow Bahamian pupil, Christine Amertil to be patient in her run towards succeeding in the women's 400-metre dash.

Davis-Thompson, who was a fellow quarter-miler during her track and field career, explained to Amertil that top ranking does not comes easily and with hard work and dedication she can further build on the success she has accomplished so far.

"I'm trying to keep Christine focused, and trying to keep her head right," the Bahamian track star explained earlier last month. "2007 is coming up, and then it's gonna be 2008.

"These are crucial years, and I have to keep Christine focused - to say listen - 'it's not going to happen overnight, no matter what you see happening with other people, and no matter what other people do. Just stay focused on what we're doing'," added Thompson.

Davis-Thompson expressed concerns about outside influences becoming discouraging to Amertil, who is a two-time IAAF World Indoor Championships medallist, as well a finallist from the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, especially since she's yet to run sub-50 second races in the 400.

However, despite those statements and concerns, the 27-year-old Amertil said she will continue working with Davis-Thompson as her coach, adding that the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games 200m silver medallist has become more than just a drill instructor to her.

"Well, since I've been training with Pauline I've seen nothing but improvements," the rising star quarter-miler said.

"Every year I've been able to improve my personal best times. Also, Pauline really knows what she's doing, and I look up to her more like a big sister and a mentor, more than a coach.

Amertil said, yes she is disappointed at not yet running a time under 50-seconds, but it just might not be her time.

"Yeah - I'm disappointed with not being able to get under 50 seconds this season, because I really thought that this was going to be my year, but I know that it's gonna take time, and that maybe God was telling me that I'm not quite ready yet."

Amertil is currently preparing for the upcoming indoor season, with her main focus targeted towards a successful 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

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