As the narratives of the Paris Olympics continue to unfold, the world has turned its attention to a new generation of athletes, including promising Barbadian-born sprinter Davonté Howell, who will make his Olympic debut representing the Cayman Islands.
For this young talent, the path to Paris has been marked by dedication, perseverance and ambition and the 18-year-old double CARIFTA Games gold medallist expressed his excitement ahead of the start of the track and field competition, tomorrow.
“I feel genuinely great because it means all my hard work is paying off. To make my Olympic debut in Paris, the City of Love, and compete in the sport I adore is a dream come true,” Howell told MIDWEEK SPORT.
The journey to this prestigious stage has not been easy, and Howell credited his parents as the driving force behind his pursuit of track excellence. They recognised his potential early and provided him with the guidance needed to nurture his talent. His training began with coach Tyrone Yen at the Mustang Track Club and continued at the esteemed IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, under the mentorship of former Olympian Dwight “Bigga” Thomas.
Howell’s Barbadian mother, Kimberley Collins, fondly recalled her son’s early years after leaving Barbados, where he briefly attended All Saints Primary School
while growing up in Maynards, St Peter.
“Davonté’s talent was evident from a young age. He would sprint everywhere, and I remember him knocking out his front tooth at age five while declaring he was Usain Bolt. On his first Sports Day at pre-school, he outran all the other kids, and it was clear to everyone that he had a special gift that needed to be cultivated,” Collins recalled.
Collins also noted the challenges she and Davonté’s father, Dave Howell, faced, particularly in managing the sprinter’s mental well-being.
“He feels a tremendous pressure to perform at his best at every meet, and when he doesn’t meet his own expectations, he can be very hard on himself. We always remind him to enjoy the process and not to stress over individual performances,” she said.
Growth
The teenager’s growth is evident in his recent achievements. After finishing sixth in the Under-20 100 metres at the 2022 CARIFTA Games, he clinched the gold medal a year later in the Bahamas, in front of his family. He successfully defended his title at this year’s CARIFTA Games in Grenada, setting a personal best time of 10.15 seconds.
Despite clocking a personal best of 10.10 seconds at the NACAC New Life Invitational last month, Howell remains grounded in his expectations.
“I hope to achieve a personal best in Paris. If that performance leads me to the semi-finals or finals, it would be an added bonus. However, simply recording a personal best at the Olympics would signify that I’ve done my best.”
With track and field events beginning tomorrow, Howell said he is savouring the experience.
“I am excited about the Olympic Village, interacting with athletes I’ve only seen on television, and competing on such a grand stage with my family present,” he said.
“Representing my country at the Olympics is an incredible honour, and knowing that the entire nation is cheering for me is a dream come true. I am grateful to God for keeping me healthy, my coaches for their preparation, and my family and friends, especially in the Cayman Islands and Barbados, for their unwavering support.”
Looking ahead, Howell is preparing for the World Under-20 Championships, where he will compete in the 100 metres, and is also set to resume his education when school starts on August 19.
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