AUDIO: We Never Knew Gonzales Was Injured, Says Quarrie

Damion Mitchell, Editor – Radio & Online
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Donald Quarrie, the Athletics Technical Manager for Jamaican Olympic squad in London says he was not aware that 400m runner Jermaine Gonzales had an injury.

According to Quarrie, the management team was only aware that Gonzales believed he did not perform well in the 400m heats.

Jamaica’s chances of getting a medal in the 4X400m relay were dashed this morning when the injured Gonzales pulled up on the third leg.

After finishing sixth in his 400m heat earlier this week, Gonzales said if it was up to him, he would not run in the 4x400m because of a hamstring problem.

But Quarrie says he did not know of this.

“When he ran, he said: ‘I didn’t feel I could push everything, because I haven’t ran in a while, but I know that I will be OK when I run again’,”

Quarrie told senior Gleaner staff reporter, Andre Lowe, in London.

“This was never planned for him to get hurt. Our goal was to get to the next round, so we put the best team out there to make it to the next round.”

According to Quarrie, Gonzales had been training, and had no issue.

“He had been doing well; had great hand offs,” said Quarrie.

The technical manager says he was disappointed for the athletes, but noted that it is all in the game of athletics.

“We have three other relays to work on, we’re gonna focus on those three other relays; we’re gonna make sure Jermaine is O.K. and we’re gonna move along,” he said.

Quarrie also says he is not aware of any injury concern in the other relay squads.

damion.mitchell@gleanerjm.com