McGregor taking strides towards Beijing

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

THE OLYMPIC Games are less than three months away and 2007 national long jump silver medallist, Herbert McGregor, has his eyes firmly set on representing Jamaica in Beijing.

The 25-year-old athlete showed impressive form at the Conseil General de la Martinique Grand Prix held in Fort de France, Martinique, recently, when he proved he was no fluke as he went over the eight-metre mark, finishing fourth with a legal 8.08m.

Good ratings

McGregor, who has been showing steady progress this year, leaped 7.74m at the Jamaica International Invitational held at the National Stadium to take home the long jump title.

Earlier in the year, he placed fourth at the Region Guadeloupe D`Athletisme Grand Prix and at the 2008 Milo Western Relays, he placed first and was the 2008 Gibson Relays' long jump champion.

"I have been training for the past two years to get a chance to participate in the Olympics. I am getting closer with each competition and hopefully I will be able to make the cut," McGregor said.

Room for improvement

However, the five-time intercollegiate long jump champion will have to improve his distance to 8.20m in order to have a better chance of qualifying.

McGregor currently sits in the B category which ranges from 8.05-8.08m. Only one person from this category will be eligible for the Olympics. In the A category ranging from 8.09-8.20m, two persons will have the opportunity to represent Jamaica.

"My training is still in progress. I train twice per day, perfecting my technique, including improving my flight and landing. I also do weight training to strengthen my muscles," he said.

Promise to do well

According to his coach, Orville Byfield, who also coaches at Kingston College, McGregor has the talent and will do well representing Jamaica.

"He has been a national representative for over four years and has met all the necessary criteria. He continues to improve as his training progresses and I have no doubt if he is selected for the track and field team that he will perform well," Byfield said.

"There are times I have felt like quitting, but with the combined efforts of my family and friends, I have persevered and I am closer to reaping the fruits of my labour," McGregor concluded.