James-King motivated to provide ‘better life’ for son

PARIS, France:

National 400-metre hurdles champion Malik James-King knows he will have the support of his inner circle when he makes his Olympic debut on August 5. He is hoping to leave a lasting legacy for his son who he says has been his biggest cheerleader and motivator.

James-King is in the middle of a consequential year, having won the national 400m hurdles title with the second fastest time in Jamaican history, clocking 47.42 seconds. Only Roshawn Clarke, 47.34, has gone faster.

He just signed a sponsorship agreement with Puma ahead of the Games which he called a major turning point.

One of his greatest rewards is being able to make his four-year-old son just as proud as the way he is proud of his dad.

"Those things keep motivating me. Every time I show him a race, he is like 'father you win, father you win'. Those little things push me now because my son is motivated by me and he is just four. So that makes me feel really good," James-King told STAR Sports. "I'm more confident because I want a better life for him, because I didn't have it and I have been through a lot before now."

His performances this year have been impactful and rewarding. And what has been important to him is keeping close to the people he relies on the most for guidance, encouragement and strength.

"They always say track and field is 99 per cent mental than physical. Once you have a good mindset, once you know what you want, once you have the right persons around you motivating you it works a lot on the field and off the field. That has been my thing this year. The motivation that I got mostly from my girlfriend, my mom, my agent and my coach, they played a lot in that," James-King said.

Those positive vibrations have remained since his arrival in Paris and with that mindset, James-King feels he is ready to make an impact at the Olympic Games.

"From I have been here it has been positive. Getting used to the atmosphere more and more. Training is getting much better, I'm improving on my times and I am ready," James-King said.