Desarie Walwyn of Saint Kitts and Nevis in action in the 100m heats (© Getty Images)
When Kim Collins returned to Saint Kitts and Nevis following his historical success at the Paris World Championships last summer, Desarie Walwyn was one of the thousands islanders gathered in Basseterre to cheer on and honour their new-found hero.
The first man from his country to claim a global sports title, Collins explained his desire to help building a synthetic track in Saint Kitts and Nevis in order to contribute to the development of track and field in the 60 square miles island.
The track has yet to be built but already track and field is developing in Saint Kitts where youngsters and teenagers all look up to Collins dreaming they too one day might achieve the same exploits.
Born on 16 December 1986, Walwyn lined up in heat three of yesterday's 100 metres first round here in Grosseto. A 200m specialist with a personal best of 23.88, Walwyn's was only her third 100m of the year and according to her it was more to “get in shape for the 200m”.
Running in the inside lane, the young girl who was born in the island of Nevis was sixth in 12.26 way behind heat winner and fastest junior in the world this year Ashley Owens in 12.47.
“I think I ran a pretty good race,” said Desarie after her heat. “I took a good start and ran a smooth second half. I am not used to running 100 metre races, I just dropped down from the 200 to work on my speed and I’m satisfied with my race. I know there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Walwyn did not advance to the semi finals of the 100 metres but is confident her 200m appearance tomorrow will be more successful.
“I think I have more chances in the 200 which is my discipline. It’s a much better race for me as I usually run a very good curve. I just want to stay focus and represent my country as best as I can.”
The only representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Grosseto, Walwyn is based in Houston, Texas, where she lives with her mother while very often returning back home in Nevis where her father lives.
In Texas Walwyn trains on a synthetic track and is used to all the modern training facilities but when she travels back to Saint Kitts, the local cricket field becomes her training ground.
“I go back home very often and when I’m in Saint Kitts I train mainly on grass at the cricket field. I have to do with what is available back home but I don’t think it’s too bad after all as it helps my body recover from the hard training sessions on track. Running on grass every now and then is good. I have no problem with that.”
A brilliant young woman, Walwyn has chosen to study psychology at Rice University in Houston Texas and will start training under the guidance of Victor Lopez as of next fall. Ambitious but never arrogant, the young woman is a very hard worker both on and off the track.
“I want to graduate in psychology and then go to law school. My aunt has a law firm back in Nevis but my ambition is to have my own firm one day. I visited several universities before taking my decision and curiously Rice was the last one I visited and as soon as I stepped in the complex I thought that was the perfect fit for me. It is very good academically and it offers the knowledge of excellent coaches. Also many Caribbean athletes have studied at Rice so it felt like the natural choice for me to make.”
Walwyn hopes her partnership with Lopez will help her become the first woman from her country to compete in the Olympic Games and her plan is all ready.
“When I graduate it will be an Olympic year so hopefully 2008 could be the year for all my dreams to come true. I am very honoured to be here in Grosseto and be the only representative of my country.”
“My father shared his love for the sport with me and he also taught me the importance of the sport. I know I am very privileged and I am thankful for it. Athletics has opened the doors for education for me. I am blessed to be given the opportunity to travel the world.”
A former 200m runner, her father was the one who initiated her to the sport but more than anyone else Kim Collins is the one who inspired her and made her think that anyone can dream of Olympic glory.
“Kim’s achievements have been like an inspiration for me. It is very motivating to see an athlete from your own country be successful. He’s of great motivation for the upcoming athletes back home.”
“When Kim returned back home it was amazing. I was there but I was there and it made me realise that everything is possible. It made me understand that even if you come from a country as small as Saint Kitts you can achieve big goals.”
And the first big goal for this lovely young woman is to improve her personal best in the heats of the 200 metres and why not become the first athlete from Saint Kitts and Nevis make the final in the history of the IAAF World Junior Championships
