Hudson ready to ‘put in 100 per cent’

PARIS, France:

Two-time national champion Andrew Hudson knows of Jamaica's recent barren run of medals in the men's 200 metres. In his second major global championship he hopes to help in turning the tide back in Jamaica's favour.

Hudson will line up along with Bryan Levell in the first round of the men's 200m this afternoon at 12:55 p.m. (Jamaica time).

His season's best effort came at the National Championships, when he clocked 20.02 to place second behind Levell.

Hudson says that while it has not been an ideal season, he is ready to leave it all on the track to try and end a 200m Jamaican men's medal drought which has lasted since 2016.

"I haven't had the greatest of seasons with injuries but nevertheless, we are here now, so there is no point in being negative; it's just being confident and ready to run.," Hudson said. "I'm going to give it all I've got. I am also going to put in 100 per cent when I put on the Jamaican uniform."

He will be making his first Olympic appearance, looking to make up for the frustration of missing out on the World Championships in Oregon in 2022. Now, he is focused on how well he can do on the biggest stage.

"I'm definitely excited. I keep thinking about when I was supposed to make the Oregon team running for Jamaica, but now to be here for the Olympics, I'm excited and I'm happy that I could get here," Hudson said.

His change of allegiance was not improved in time for the Oregon meet, but he made the final while competing at his first World Championships, in Budapest.

It hasn't been an ideal 2024 season for Hudson as according to him, he suffered an injury setback when he was poised to break his personal best (19.87 seconds). He had only raced the 200m twice in May, and returned in June in time for the National Championships.

"I was in shape before, but this injury kind of halted me a little bit. I had to go see Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt (German sports physician); my physio helped me a lot to get to this point," Hudson said.