Jodie Williams in Paris, her third Olympics
Paris was such an fascinating one as a result of it was such a distinct expertise. For me, I’ve. I’ve solely as soon as been to a championship, only for a relay. Umm, it’s not one thing I notably have ever loved doing. And like I stated, I feel I’ve solely ever completed it as soon as, and in another years that I’ve had that’s unfolded, I’ve turned down the place. However for me, in 2024, nothing was going proper. I used to be operating very, very poorly all through the season. I used to be actually struggling mentally. Understanding that I used to be additionally coming to the tip of my profession, it was laborious to push via to the tip, particularly an occasion as brutal because the 400. It’s difficult to push via when it’s not going proper.
And the 400 was simply hurting in a manner that they’d by no means actually damage me like that earlier than. I used to be having some bizarre signs happening in my physique. So it was mentally difficult for me that yr, even attending to the tip of a 400. Each time I stood in line, I didn’t wish to be there, and it was simply actually laborious, very laborious, and really painful. And once more, pure grit dragged me via. I had spoken to the selectors earlier than, and so they had been very very like, ‘We have to see one thing very, very massive from you at this champs.’
I managed to tug one thing out of the bag sufficient for them to contemplate me, after which we ended up with that medal with all 8 ladies on the rostrum, and it was only a distinctive expertise. And for me, it simply meant that as a result of I used to be simply there for a relay and I’m one of many older, extra skilled athletes, it was a really totally different position than I’m used to taking part in, and it was a blessing. Truthfully, it was so nice to expertise it from a distinct aspect. Clearly, there’s nonetheless strain, however I knew there was much less strain on me than in a person occasion, so I felt like I might give the youthful athletes just a little extra time to be a bit extra of a information. And simply to actually get pleasure from it for myself. Truthfully, it was my most gratifying Olympics by far. So, it was an important expertise and a solution to shut issues out.
The 2020 (or actually 2021) Video games had been such unusual ones. For me, that was – I don’t wish to say closure – but it surely was nearly an affirmation of the athlete that I at all times thought I used to be, however I had by no means actually managed to tug it off. A lot of this sport is timing and luck in your aspect – these issues have by no means actually been on my aspect. I feel I’ve at all times had the expertise, and I’ve at all times been a really laborious employee, however a variety of issues simply didn’t work out… simply the timing wasn’t there for me, or I used to be overthinking issues a variety of the time.
So 2021 was simply a kind of years, and I feel any athlete will inform you that generally you simply have these years the place every little thing is fantastically aligned. All the things simply went completely for me, even all the way in which from medaling at European Indoors towards clearly nice caliber athletes after which carrying that momentum outdoor. That season, nothing went incorrect, which is unparalleled, particularly for an athlete like me, and there have been a variety of close to misses. Sure, I used to be carrying accidents via that entire yr that simply by no means fully went over the sting, so I used to be actually, actually fortunate. In earlier years, I’d had related accidents that I used to be nursing, then one race took me out, and I had managed to complete the season. So, I feel 2021 was simply a kind of fantastically aligned seasons for me. I feel I solely had two in my profession. 2014 and 2021, the place issues simply went to plan. And for me, that Olympic closing race was similar to an affirmation that, OK, we weren’t delusional, like, you truly are this good. You do belong racing this caliber of athletes, which settled one thing in my spirit.
Simply making this closing alone, in a brand new occasion, and I’d solely run 4 400s earlier than that yr, I stepped up and medalled indoors after which was an Olympic finalist with two back-to-back 49s. I’d pulled a efficiency out of the bag when it mattered most each time. On the time, I used to be gutted that it wasn’t sufficient to get that medal, which might have been such a pleasant finish to such an important season, however I actually couldn’t be upset. I went for it, risked it, went out robust, and didn’t have the legs.
That you simply received your PR in Tokyo within the Olympic closing (and beforehand your 200 PR in a European closing) says one thing about your means to provide it when it issues.
I’ve at all times been a championship performer. And because it got here to the tip of my profession, I grew to become much more so. So I’ve at all times been somebody who wants a little bit of strain, and I simply want one thing on the road to tug it out of the bag, particularly within the 400. However I at all times discovered that my most glorious performances, should you have a look at most seasons, my season’s finest will at all times be when it issues at trials and the championships. And it may very well be a bit dangerous, for certain. I’ve at all times been that athlete. Generally, I simply struggled to seek out the opposite races. I’m somebody who actually wants a cause to be doing issues, and I should be very passionate to have the ability to pull one thing out generally. For Diamond Leagues, I’m simply not motivated. Cash and stuff haven’t ever motivated me. So, I simply struggled to carry out in these races when nothing was at stake apart from cash.
Watch Jodie Williams speak extra in regards to the Paris Olympics
