Campbell hails brother, coach after shot put bronze

PARIS, France:

Three months ago shot putter Rajindra Campbell, the national champion and record holder, was contemplating walking away from the sport. Now he is a history-making Olympian on the first attempt, hoping that his exploits lead a game-changing breakthrough.

Campbell captured Jamaica’s first medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, mining bronze in the men’s shot put with an effort of 22.15m. Reigning champion Ryan Crouser defended his title with 22.90m, while Joe Kovacs got silver with 22.15m. Campbell’s achievement was the first Olympic medal won in the event by a Jamaican, a moment that he said would not have happen had it not been for his brother Roderick and his coach, Brian Allen, for the necessary support to get him back in the ring.

“I chose my livelihood [at that time]. I had to talk to my brother and my coach about it. So they came in and assisted me. Fortunately, the results [paid off]. I was good indoors. I was kind of disappointed with the performance outdoors. I didn’t want to relive that pain. The goal was to come here and do it,” Campbell said.

Campbell’s journey to Paris as an athlete without a sponsor has been a challenge. He had to work full-time to support himself, while training to realise the ambition that he said he didn’t have last year, a year where he made his first World Championships final but failed to register a mark.

“Last year, I thought I should definitely have been more ambitious. Fortunately, I have enough confidence in myself coming from 19m to 22m. The levels that I needed to achieve, I didn’t, so I know for a fact that I have a lot in the tank,” Campbell said.

Shot put has connected the Campbell brothers, as Rajindra was inspired by his brother, who took up the sport first. Now an Olympic medallist on the first try, he gives credit to him as the reason why he is now a history-making athlete.

“He was the front-runner. He did the sport first. I just followed in his footsteps as the bigger brother you look up to him. As he learned, he helped me out. When I need someone to talk to, I talk to him. It has been that process for a long time. They (Roderick and coach Allen) stood by my side. And I am happy for the result,” Campbell.