Gordon excels in academics despite demanding pro track career

 

“It’s a lot of work as compared to Form Six or Form Five and a lot more time is required because as an athlete, you need to get a certain amount of hours of sleep to be rested properly to perform in the next day at training and at University you have to be up studying at one, two and three in the morning to make sure that you don’t fail,” he said, adding, “I’ve been coping with it and I’m getting As and Bs so far.” Gordon said his success had been the result of having a strong support system of family and friends to guide him through hard times. “There’s times when injury comes around and things are just going really slow and at that point you start to feel cynical. “There are also people who will always be saying bad things about you on your way to the top. The trick is to just keep working hard and pushing yourself and have the right base of support around you to keep yourself grounded.”

 

He also advised the students not to be discouraged by failure, since it was a necessary part of the learning process.

“Failing for me is like another stepping stone in life. “All champions will not win forever and to lose is a learning experience. You just have to go out there and learn from your mistakes and realise that there is something that has obstructed you from being successful.” The day’s other speakers included reigning Calypso Monarch Karene Asche and former West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray, who each treated the crowd to singing performances. The symposium will continue today with lectures by former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, Olympic bronze medallist George Bovell and First Citizens Junior Sportsman of the Year Christian Homer.